§ 2. Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority.

(a)

There is created a body corporate and politic, to be known as the "Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority," which shall be deemed to be a political subdivision of the State of Georgia and a public corporation by that name, style and title. Said body may contract and be contracted with, sue and be sued, bring and defend actions, implead and be impleaded, and complain and defend in all courts, except that the authority or the trustee acting under the trust indenture shall in no event be liable for any torts committed by any of the officers, agents and employees. The authority is granted the same exceptions and exclusions from taxes as are now granted to cities and counties for the operation of facilities similar to facilities to be operated by the authority as provided under the provisions of this act [article].

(b)

The authority shall consist of five members. The board of commissioners of Jackson County shall appoint the members of the authority, each of whom shall reside in Jackson County. The board of commissioners of Jackson County shall appoint two of the initial members for initial terms of three years, two of the initial members for initial terms of two years, and one initial member for an initial term of one year, with subsequent appointments for terms of office of three years. After having served nine consecutive years, authority members shall not be reappointed without at least one year of inactive status. Vacancies shall be filled for an unexpired term by the board of commissioners of Jackson County. Any authority member who is convicted of a felony shall be removed from the authority upon the date of conviction, regardless of appeal processes. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum and a majority may act for the authority in any matter. No vacancy shall impair the power of the authority to act. The authority shall elect one of its members as chairman and another member as vice-chairman. It shall also elect a secretary and treasurer who does not necessarily have to be a member of the authority and who, if not a member, shall have no voting rights. The members of the authority shall serve without compensation; however, it is expressly understood that they shall be reimbursed for all actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The authority may make rules and regulations and adopt bylaws for its own government. It shall have perpetual existence.