Same; governing body; meetings; powers; issuance of bonds and no-fund warrants

Upon the consolidation of any such areas the board of county commissioners shall appoint a governing body composed of seven members who shall represent, as nearly as may be possible, the geographical areas in such consolidated area. Members of the governing body first appointed shall be appointed as follows: Two for a term of one year; two for a term of two years; and three for a term of three years. Thereafter all members shall be appointed for a term of three years. All vacancies on such board shall be filled by appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term. Members of the governing body shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be allowed their actual expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties. Within thirty (30) days after the governing body is appointed and annually thereafter the governing body shall meet and organize by the election from its membership of a chairperson, vice-chairperson and a secretary and treasurer. The secretary and treasurer shall each give a corporate surety bond, conditioned for the faithful performance of duty and accounting for all money coming into their hands by virtue of such position. Such bonds shall be approved and be in an amount fixed by the governing body. The governing body of such consolidated district shall have authority to levy taxes and special assessments as provided by law, to enter into contracts, to acquire by lease or purchase and to operate and maintain fire fighting equipment, and to acquire or construct buildings to house the same and to do all things necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act except that no tax or special assessment shall be levied by such governing body without first having been submitted to and having been approved by the board of county commissioners. In addition to the powers provided for in this section, the governing body shall have any powers granted to a fire district under K.S.A. 80-1514a. The governing body of such consolidated district is authorized to make an annual levy of taxes upon the taxable property located within the consolidated fire district in an amount approved by the board of county commissioners but not to exceed seven mills. The governing body of any district shall also have the authority to issue general obligation bonds and no-fund warrants under the provisions of K.S.A. 80-1514b.