Section 196.215 - Executive director; status of director and employees(1) The Willamette Falls Locks Authority shall appoint an executive director. The executive director is the executive officer of the authority responsible for day-to-day operations. Subject to the supervision of the authority, the executive director is authorized to direct the affairs of the authority. The executive director serves at the discretion of the authority and shall perform such duties as the authority prescribes.(2) The executive director may employ subordinate employees as the executive director deems reasonable for carrying out business operations and the operation of the properties and facilities of the authority, including but not limited to the operation and maintenance of the Willamette Falls Locks project. The executive director may delegate any duty, function or power of the executive director to a subordinate employee except as otherwise prescribed by the authority.(3) The members of the authority, the executive director and the employees of the authority are not state employees and are not eligible for participation in state employee health benefit plans, state employee deferred compensation plans or the Public Employees Retirement System. The authority shall determine the compensation and benefit package for the executive director and other employees of the authority. For purposes of any laws applicable to the authority as a public corporation, including but not limited to ORS 30.260 to 30.300, the members of the authority, the executive director and the employees of the authority are officers and employees of a public body.(4) The authority and a state agency may enter into agreements for the state agency to provide support services to the authority. If a state agency provides support services to the authority, the state agency must provide the support services at the rate that the state agency would charge to other state agencies for the services.(5) The authority may invest in the investment pool described in ORS 294.805. For purposes of ORS 294.805 to 294.895, the executive director is a local government official.(6) The authority may retain private legal counsel or, notwithstanding ORS 180.060, may contract for representation by the Attorney General. If the authority contracts for representation by the Attorney General, the Attorney General shall charge the authority for services at the rate charged to state agencies for similar services.