HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3181

(H) THE MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY OTHER THAN THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL RECEIVE NO COMPENSATION FOR THE
PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES HEREUNDER, BUT EACH SUCH MEMBER
SHALL BE PAID HIS NECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED WHILE ENGAGED
IN THE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH DUTIES, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
STANDARD TRAVEL REGULATIONS.

(I) THE PARTICIPATING COUNTIES MAY GRANT, LOAN, OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFER TO THE AUTHORITY, AND THE AUTHORITY MAY
ACCEPT, FROM TIME TO TIME SUCH MONEYS, PROPERTY OR OTHER
ASSETS AS MAY BE NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE TO ENABLE THE
AUTHORITY TO INITIATE ITS OPERATIONS OR THOSE OF ANY PROJECT
OR TO CARRY OUT ANY OF ITS CORPORATE PURPOSES.

(J) THE STAFF OF THE AUTHORITY SHALL CONSIST OF SUCH
EMPLOYEES AS THE AUTHORITY MAY DETERMINE TO BE NECESSARY TO
CARRY OUT THE DUTIES OF THE AUTHORITY. THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR SHALL APPOINT AND REMOVE THE STAFF OF THE AUTHORITY
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS AND RESTRICTIONS OF A
"MERIT SYSTEM" TO BE DEVELOPED BY THE AUTHORITY.

(K) WHENEVER THE AUTHORITY SHALL UNDERTAKE TO PROVIDE
SERVICE TO OR WITHIN ANY PARTICIPATING COUNTY, SUCH COUNTY
SHALL HAVE THE OPTION (WHICH OPTION MUST BE EXERCISED PRIOR
TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SUCH UNDERTAKING) OF;

(1)  DESIGNATING THOSE EMPLOYEES WHO, AT THE TIME
OF THE TRANSFER, WERE ENGAGED PRIMARILY IN THE RENDERING OF
SUCH SERVICE, WHEREUPON THE AUTHORITY SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE CONTINUATION OF SUCH EMPLOYEES WITH ALL RIGHTS AND
PRIVILEGES AND EQUIVALENT BENEFITS THAT SUCH EMPLOYEES
THERETOFORE ENJOYED; OR

(2)  NOT CERTIFYING TO THE AUTHORITY ANY
EMPLOYEES FORMERLY ENGAGED IN PROVIDING THE "TAKE-OVER"
SERVICES, BUT CONTINUING SUCH EMPLOYEES IN THE COUNTY'S
EMPLOYMENT.

IN THE EVENT THAT ANY EMPLOYEE OF A COUNTY SO CERTIFIED
TO THE AUTHORITY DOES NOT DESIRE TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE
AUTHORITY, SUCH EMPLOYEE SHALL BE GIVEN FIRST PRIORITY IN
THE FILLING OF ANY VACANCY FOR WHICH HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED
AS DETERMINED BY THE HEAD OF SUCH COUNTY'S MERIT SYSTEM. IN
THE EVENT THERE ARE NO VACANCIES, SUCH EMPLOYEE SHALL BE
PLACED ON THE REEMPLOYMENT LIST AND SHALL BE GIVEN FIRST
PREFERENCE IN THE FILLING OF ANY POSITION FOR WHICH SUCH
PERSON IS QUALIFIED.

(L) IF THE AUTHORITY DETERMINES THAT THE PROVISION OF
PENSION BENEFITS FOR ITS EMPLOYEES CANNOT BE EFFECTED
PRACTICABLY BY MEANS OF THE STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM, THE
AUTHORITY SHALL BE EMPOWERED TO PROVIDE A PENSION BENEFIT
FOR EMPLOYEES UPON THEIR RETIREMENT ON ACCOUNT OF AGE,
SERVICE, OR DISABILITY. THE AUTHORITY AND SHALL HAVE THE
RIGHT TO CONTRACT WITH AN INSURANCE COMPANY OR OTHER
APPROPRIATE BODY TO PROVIDE SUCH PENSION BENEFITS OR BY