The initial three members of the board of fire commissioners shall be elected at the same election as when the ballot proposition is submitted to the voters authorizing the creation of the fire protection district. If the district is not authorized to be created, the election of the initial fire commissioners shall be null and void. If the district is authorized to be created, the initial fire commissioners shall take office immediately when qualified. Candidates shall file for each of the three separate fire commissioner positions. Elections shall be held as provided in *chapter 29.21 RCW, with the county auditor opening up a special filing period as provided in **RCW 29.15.170 and 29.15.180, as if there were a vacancy. The person who receives the greatest number of votes for each position shall be elected to that position. The terms of office of the initial fire commissioners shall be staggered as follows: (1) The person who is elected receiving the greatest number of votes shall be elected to a six-year term of office if the election is held in an odd-numbered year or a five-year term of office if the election is held in an even-numbered year; (2) the person who is elected receiving the next greatest number of votes shall be elected to a four-year term of office if the election is held in an odd-numbered year or a three-year term of office if the election is held in an even-numbered year; and (3) the other person who is elected shall be elected to a two-year term of office if the election is held in an odd-numbered year or a one-year term of office if the election is held in an even-numbered year. The initial commissioners shall take office immediately when elected and qualified and their terms of office shall be calculated from the first day of January in the year following their election.

     The term of office of each subsequent commissioner shall be six years. Each commissioner shall serve until a successor is elected and qualified and assumes office in accordance with **RCW 29.04.170.

[1994 c 223 § 53; 1989 c 63 § 22; 1984 c 230 § 33; 1979 ex.s. c 126 § 33; 1939 c 34 § 27; RRS § 5654-127. Formerly RCW 52.12.060.]

NOTES:

     Reviser's note: *(1) Chapter 29.21 RCW was recodified as chapter 29A.52 RCW pursuant to 2003 c 111 § 2401, effective July 1, 2004.

     **(2) RCW 29.15.170, 29.15.180, and 29.04.170 were recodified as RCW 29A.24.170, 29A.24.180, and 29A.20.040, respectively, pursuant to 2003 c 111 § 2401, effective July 1, 2004. RCW 29A.24.170 and 29A.24.180 were subsequently repealed by 2004 c 271 § 193. Later enactment of RCW 29A.24.170 and 29A.24.180, see RCW 29A.24.171 and 29A.24.181, respectively.

     Purpose -- 1979 ex.s. c 126: See RCW 29A.20.040(1).