(a) Any city of the first class subject to the provisions of this subchapter owning, operating, or controlling a municipal light and power plant, or sewer plant, or water plant is authorized by a proper ordinance passed by the city council of the city and approved by its mayor to create a board consisting of five (5) members for the purpose of directing, managing, controlling, and operating the plant within the city or in any area in which the city may be lawfully authorized to operate outside the city limits thereof, except as provided in § 14-201-202.
(b)
(1) In the ordinance creating the board or commission of five (5) members, the city council shall designate the members thereof to hold office for the first term and shall fix the term of office for one (1) member of the board at one (1) year; one (1) member at two (2) years; one (1) member at three (3) years; one (1) member at four (4) years; and one (1) member at five (5) years and, in each instance, until their respective successors have been chosen and qualified.
(2) Thereafter, as the terms of office of the members of the board expire, the successor to each member shall be chosen for a period of five (5) years.
(c) Unless otherwise provided in the ordinance creating the board or commission, each member shall be elected by popular vote in the same manner as the mayor of the city shall be chosen. The election shall be held at the regular city election. The candidates for election shall be voted for by the same qualified voters and in the same way and manner as designated by law for voting for the office of mayor of the city.
(d) Vacancies occurring shall be filled by appointment by the city council, and the person appointed to fill a vacancy under this section or under § 14-201-202 shall serve until the next regular city election at which a successor may be elected and until a successor shall have been elected and qualified unless the ordinance creating the commission shall have provided for a different method for filling vacancies on the commission.