Section 15-9-217 - Officers and other personnel employed by board; duties; administrative expenses(a) The board shall employ and fix the compensation, subject to the approval of the governing body, of the following, who shall serve at the pleasure of the board: (i) A director, who shall be a person of good moral character and possessed of a reputation for integrity, responsibility and business ability. No member of the board is eligible to hold the position of director. Before entering upon the duties of his office, the director shall take and subscribe to the oath of office and furnish a bond as required by the board. The director is the chief executive officer of the authority. Subject to the approval of the board and directed by it when necessary, he shall have general supervision over and be responsible for the preparation of plans and the performance of the functions of the authority in the manner authorized by this article. He shall attend all meetings of the board and shall render to the board and to the governing body a regular report covering the activities and financial condition of the authority. In the absence or disability of the director, the board may designate a qualified person to perform the duties of the office as acting director. The director shall furnish the board with such information or reports governing the operation of the authority as the board may from time to time require;(ii) A treasurer, who shall keep the financial records of the authority and who, together with the director, shall approve all vouchers for the expenditure of funds of the authority. He shall perform such other duties as may be delegated to him by the board;(iii) A secretary, who shall maintain custody of the official seal, if any, and of all records, books, documents or other papers not required to be maintained by the treasurer. He shall attend all meetings of the board and keep a record of all its proceedings. He shall perform such other duties as may be delegated to him by the board;(iv) Upon recommendation of the director, such clerical, technical and professional assistants, including but not limited to persons in the fields of engineering, planning and economic research, as shall, in the opinion of the board, be necessary to provide for the efficient performance of the functions of the board.(b) Upon approval of the governing body of the municipality and a majority of the persons voting in the election, called for the purpose of this subsection, owning real property within the downtown development authority excluding real property used exclusively for residential purposes, under election procedures specified by the governing body, an annual special assessment not to exceed thirty (30) mills against the assessed value of real property within the downtown development authority, excluding real property used exclusively for residential purposes, may be levied. The authorization for the assessment expires in four (4) years unless reauthorized by the governing body and persons owning real property within the district. The assessment shall be levied and collected in the same manner as the general property tax levy for the municipality. Proceeds of the assessment may be expended by the authority for: (i) Administrative costs;(ii) Landscaping or maintenance of public areas;(iii) Planning or management of development or improvement activities;(iv) Promotion of public events; and(v) Activities in support of business recruitment and development.(c) All proceeds of the assessment shall be used by the authority for district activities and improvements.