(a) When the circuit court has established any improvement district, it shall appoint any number of owners of real property within the district, the number to be fixed by the court, to act as commissioners. At least one (1) shall be appointed from each county containing lands embraced in the district.
(b) Each of these commissioners shall take the oath of office required by Arkansas Constitution, Article 19, § 20, and shall also swear that he will not directly or indirectly be interested in any contract made by the board, and that he will well and truly assess all benefits resulting from the improvement and all damages caused thereby. Any commissioner failing to take the oath within thirty (30) days after his appointment shall have been deemed to decline, and his place shall be filled by the circuit court, if in session, and if not, by the circuit judge.
(c) All vacancies of the board shall be filled by the circuit court wherein the district was formed or the judge thereof in vacation.
(d) The board shall select one (1) of their number as chairman, and a majority shall constitute a quorum.
(e) The commissioners provided for shall receive as compensation the sum of five dollars ($5.00) each day for attending meetings of the board, together with their necessary expenses.
(f) The board of commissioners shall have the right, power, and authority to:
(1) Employ attorneys, agents, and personnel as it deems necessary, and fix their respective compensation; and
(2) Purchase and operate machinery or to contract work required by the federal agency.