The fiscal year of the village is May 1 to April 30 of each year.

(Code 2024, § 1.6.1)

The village declares Blackhawk State Bank, an Illinois Bank corporation and a member of the FDIC, as the official depository for the funds of the village.

(Code 2024, § 1.6.2)

The village seal is declared and established to be the corporate seal to be used by and for the village. The seal shall consist of an impression in which the center are the words "Corporate Seal," surrounded by the inscription "Village of Hampton, Rock Island County, Illinois."

(Code 2024, § 1.6.4)

1. Membership. The village board authorizes and approves membership in the Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association and directs the president and clerk to execute an intergovernmental cooperation contract with the Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association for membership for a period of one year beginning the date the association commences providing risk coverage to its members and each year after, unless this section is repealed.
2. Contributions. Under the terms of membership, each member agrees to contribute to the association a sum of money to be determined by the association at the time of application based on the needs of the association and the loss experience of the member, which sum shall constitute the cost of the member's first year contribution for membership in the association. Membership contributions for second and subsequent years are calculated in accordance with the loss experience of the local government, and the needs of the association including total losses and expenditures of the self-insured retention fund of the association.

(Code 2024, § 1.6.5)

1. Election. The village board of trustees (to be referred to as the village board) shall consist of six trustees who shall be elected to office for four-year terms and until their successors are elected and qualified.
2. Duties. The village board shall be the legislative department of the village government and shall perform the duties and have the power as may be delegated to it by statute.
3. Oath. Before entering upon the duties of their respective offices, the village board of trustees shall take the oath of office as prescribed by statute. The oath shall be filed with the village clerk.
4. Salary. The village board shall receive such compensation as may be provided by ordinance by the village board.

(Code 2024, § 1.4.2(A)--(D))

1. Generally. The regular meetings of the president and board of trustees shall be held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 6:30 p.m. The meetings of the board of trustees shall be held at village hall unless otherwise ordered by the board.
2. Special meetings. Special meetings shall be called by the clerk upon the request of the president or any three trustees. The request shall be in writing and shall state the purpose of the meeting and the time the meeting is to be held. No other business shall be acted upon at a special meeting. Special meetings shall not be held sooner than 24 hours from the time the request is filed.
3. Meeting procedures.
   1. Quorum. A majority of the trustees shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from time to time until the quorum may be had.
   2. Passage/non-passage of ordinance. Yeas and nays shall be taken upon the passage of all ordinances, and all propositions to create any liability against the village or for the expenditure or appropriation of its money and, in all cases, at the request of any member, which shall be entered on a journal of its proceedings in a concurrence of a majority of the members elected in the village board, shall be necessary in the passage of any such ordinance or proposition.
   3. Rescinded action. No vote of the village board shall be reconsidered or rescinded at a special meeting unless the same number of trustees are present at the special meeting as were present when the vote was taken.
   4. Deferred action. Upon the request of any two trustees present, any report presented by a committee of the board shall be deferred from the final action until the next regular meeting.

(Code 2024, § 1.4.2(E)--(G))

1. The provisions of 5 ILCS 430/5-15 and 5 ILCS 430/10-10 through 10-40 of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, 5 ILCS 430/1-1 et seq. (referred to as the "Act" in this section), are adopted by reference and made applicable to the officers and employees of the village to the extent required by 5 ILCS 430/70-5.
2. The solicitation or acceptance of gifts prohibited to be solicited or accepted under the Act, by any officer or any employee of the village, is prohibited.
3. The offering or making of gifts prohibited to be offered or made to an officer or employee of the village under the Act is prohibited.
4. The participation in political activities prohibited under the Act, by any officer or employee of the village, is prohibited.
5. For purposes of this section, the terms "officer" and "employee" shall be defined as set forth in the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, 5 ILCS 430/70-5(c).
6. The penalties for violations of this section shall be the same as those penalties set forth in the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, 5 ILCS 430/50-5, for similar violations.
7. This section does not repeal or otherwise amend or modify any existing ordinances or policies which regulate the conduct of village officers and employees. To the extent that any such existing ordinances or policies are less restrictive than this section, however, the provisions of this section shall prevail in accordance with the provisions of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, 5 ILCS 430/70-5(a).
8. Any amendment to the Act that becomes effective after the effective date of the ordinance from which this section is derived shall be incorporated into this section by reference and shall be applicable to the solicitation, acceptance, offering and making of gifts and to prohibited political activities. However, any amendment that makes its provisions optional for adoption by municipalities shall not be incorporated into this section by reference without formal action by the corporate authorities of the village.

(Code 2024, § 1.5.2)

1. Election. The village president shall be elected for a term of four years and, until a successor is elected and qualified, he shall be the president of the board of trustees.
2. Vacancy. When a vacancy shall happen in the office of the president, the village board shall elect one of its numbers to act as president who shall possess all the rights of the president until the next annual election and until his successor is elected and qualified.
3. Duties. The president shall perform all duties as may be required by law or village ordinance, and shall ensure that the laws and ordinances are faithfully executed.
   1. The president shall preside at all meetings of the village board but shall not vote except in the case of a tie when he shall give the casting vote.
   2. The president shall have the power to remove any officer appointed by him on any formal charge whenever he shall be of the opinion that the interest of the village demands such removal.
   3. The president may exercise within the village limits the powers conferred upon sheriffs to suppress disorder and keep the peace.
   4. The president shall have the power to appoint special enforcement officers whenever he considers it necessary.
   5. The president shall serve as the liquor commissioner for the village and shall have duties as outlined in the liquor ordinance.
4. Oath. Before entering upon the duties of office, the village president shall take the oath as prescribed by statute.
5. Bond. Before entering upon the duties of the office, the village president shall execute a bond with one or more sureties, payable to the village, in an amount determined by the Illinois Municipal League and approved by the board of trustees, conditioned on the faithful performance of the duties of the office. The bond shall be filed with the village clerk and Illinois Municipal League Risk Management.
6. Salary. The village president shall receive such compensation as may from time to time be provided by ordinance by the board of trustees.
7. President pro tem. During a temporary absence or disability of the village president, the board of trustees shall elect one of its own to act as president pro tem, who shall perform the duties pertaining to the office.

(Code 2024, § 1.4.1)

1. Election. The village clerk shall be appointed by the president of the board of trustees.
2. General duties. The clerk shall have the following general duties:
   1. The clerk shall be the custodian of the village seal.
   2. The clerk shall keep the accounts showing all money received and the source of the disposition of the moneys and such other accounts as may be required by statute or ordinance.
   3. In addition to the records of ordinances and other records which the clerk is required to keep by statute, the clerk shall keep a register of all licenses and permits issued, and their payment; a record showing all the officers and regular employees of the village; and such other records as may be required by the board of trustees.
   4. The clerk shall attend all meetings of the village board and keep a full record of its proceedings in a journal.
   5. All original documents, contracts, correspondence and any and all papers relating to village business shall be kept in the custody of the village clerk. The village clerk shall furnish copies of documents, contracts, correspondence and other papers relating to village business to the village attorney, village president, and board of trustees and to other persons as authorized by the village president.
   6. The clerk shall record all ordinances passed by the village board and, at the bottom of each ordinance, make a notation of the date, passage and the posting of such ordinance.
   7. In addition, the clerk shall perform such other duties and functions which may be required by statute or ordinance.
3. Other administrative duties. The clerk shall have the following administrative duties:
   1. Act as the point of contact for all development and construction projects within the village and as such shall prepare, present and oversee any and all progress reports to the board of trustees as required.
   2. Act as the budget and finance officer and, as such:
      1. Aggressively pursue, monitor and maintain an investment strategy for village funds that net the highest possible rate of return.
      2. Report on investments at least quarterly, and shall prepare, maintain and monitor the annual budget for the village.
      3. Recommend financing alternatives to the board of trustees for village projects as directed.
   3. Assist the current contractor with annexation plans for the village as required.
   4. Develop and implement, with the concurrence of the board of trustees, a plan to attract new business to the village.
   5. Develop and implement a plan, with the concurrence of the board, to improve and expand the village's infrastructure.
   6. Develop and implement, with the concurrence of the board, an information management and automation plan for the village and recommend hardware and software purchases based upon the needs of the village in accordance with the developed plan and develop custom applications, as needed, that utilize a computer's ability to store and manipulate data.
   7. Assist all departments with administrative needs as required.
   8. Develop, maintain and implement a disaster plan for the village.
   9. Attend all committee of the whole meetings and board meetings and attend subcommittee meetings as required.
   10. Attend any and all training sessions, conferences and meetings to stay abreast of current legislature, procedures, programs, grants and the like as they pertain to the village and may enhance or expand current operations and, with the concurrence of the board, actively pursue programs and grants for the village.
   11. Represent the president and the board of trustees in negotiating agreements and contracts with private parties, individuals or corporations in accordance with the president and board of trustees' desires and directives.
   12. Obtain quotes or bids for goods or services in accordance with the president and board of trustees' directives and specifications and develop specifications for goods and services in accordance with directives from the president and the board of trustees as required.
4. Duties related to water utility billing and collections, etc. The clerk shall have the following duties related to water utility billing and collections, etc.:
   1. The clerk shall be responsible for the delivery to all water users, subject to billing, correct water bills each month and shall receive payment and issue receipts for the bills and shall render a report on the form provided by the water department of all business transacted in the clerk's office. The village collector shall keep a copy of each report on file in his office.
   2. Deposit of funds. Weekly, or as often as necessary, the clerk shall deposit all moneys collected from the payment of water bills, together with any village money in his possession and shall deliver a receipt to the village treasurer for all such moneys deposited and shall record the transactions in the proper record.
   3. Payment by mail. Payments received by the by mail shall be so noted and receipts for such payment shall be sent to the payees with the next water bills rendered.
5. Bond. Before entering upon the duties of the office, the village clerk shall execute a bond with one or more sureties, payable to the village, in an amount determined by the Illinois Municipal League and approved by the board of trustees, conditioned on the faithful performance of the duties of the office. The bond shall be filed with the village treasurer and Illinois Municipal League Risk Management.
6. Salary. The village clerk shall receive compensation as may from time to time be provided by ordinance by the board of trustees.

(Code 2024, §§ 1.4.3, 1.4.11, 1.4.14)

1. Appointment. The deputy clerk shall be appointed by the president of the board of trustees with the approval and concurrence of the board of trustees.
2. Duties and responsibilities. The deputy clerk shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
   1. In the absence of the clerk, the deputy clerk will perform any other functions of the clerk, and those actions will have the same effect as if they were performed by the clerk.
   2. The deputy clerk, when directed to do so, will affix the village seal and attest documents in the capacity of the deputy, and those documents shall have the same effect as if they had been executed by the clerk.
   3. The deputy clerk shall accept and record payments on behalf of the village for water, sewer and garbage stickers, building permit fees, ordinance violations, business license applications, and any other payments or fees from residents or customers in accordance with village ordinances.
   4. The deputy clerk shall perform general clerical work such as filing, copying, distributing, word processing, typing, data input into the utility billing program, answering the phone and the like.
3. Salary. The deputy clerk shall receive compensation as may from time to time be provided by the board of trustees.

(Code 2024, § 1.4.12)

1. Office. The village clerk may hold the office of village collector.
2. Duties. The village collector shall preserve all warrants returned to the collector and shall keep the books and accounts in the manner that the village board may prescribe. All of the village collector's warrants, books and vouchers, and all paper pertaining to the village collector's warrants, books and vouchers, and all papers pertaining to the village collector's office may be examined at any time by the president of the village board or any member or committee of the board of trustees of the village. The village collector shall pay over to the village treasurer, weekly or more often if required by the village board, all money collected by the village collector from any source. The village treasurer shall issue a receipt (in duplicate) which the collector shall file immediately in the records of the village clerk.
3. Salary. The village collector shall receive compensation as may from time to time be provided by ordinance by the board of trustees.

(Code 2024, § 1.4.4)

1. Appointment. The village treasurer shall be appointed by the president and board of trustees (as provided by statute). The treasurer shall hold office for one year and until a successor is appointed and qualified.
2. Duties. The treasurer shall have the following duties and authority:
   1. The treasurer shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by statute or ordinance.
   2. The treasurer shall have custody of all the funds belonging to village and shall pay out the funds upon the warrant of the president, countersigned by the clerk.
   3. The treasurer shall report the condition of the treasury monthly and annually to the president and board of trustees.
   4. The treasurer shall deposit the village funds in depositories as selected and shall keep the deposit of the village money separate and distinct from personal money and shall not make private or personal use of village money.
   5. The treasurer shall keep records showing all money received, the source from which it was received, and the purpose for which it is paid in the manner required by the board of trustees.
3. Oath. Before entering upon the duties of the office, the village treasurer shall take and subscribe to the usual oath of office (as prescribed by statute). The oath shall be filed with the clerk.
4. Bond. Before entering upon the duties of the office, the village treasurer shall execute a bond with one or more sureties, payable to the village, in an amount determined by the Illinois Municipal League and approved by the board of trustees, conditioned on the faithful performance of the duties of the office. The bond shall be filed with the village clerk and Illinois Municipal League Risk Management.
5. Salary. The village treasurer shall receive compensation as may from time to time be provided by ordinance by the board of trustees.

(Code 2024, § 1.4.5)

1. Appointment. The attorney shall be appointed by the president and board of trustees. This office may be filled by an attorney held on retainer.
2. Duties. The village attorney shall be the legal advisor of the village and, when required, shall advise the board or any official in all matters of law in which the interests of the village are involved, and shall draw such current ordinances, resolutions, bonds and contracts or examine and approve the same as may be required by the president, trustees or board; he shall attend meetings of the board when requested so to do by the president or trustees, and shall prosecute and defend all suits or actions for the violation of the village ordinance or other action in which the village shall be a means for enforcement or protection of the rights of the village.
3. Salary. The village attorney, or attorney held on retainer, shall receive compensation for attending board meetings, advising officers of the village, for the preparation of all ordinances, except ordinances providing for the issuance of bonds, and for drawing all contracts, except contracts for public works, and, in addition, shall receive reasonable fees for drawing ordinances providing for bond issues, for drawing contracts for public works, and for special assessment proceedings, and for proceedings and suits in any court to which the village shall be a party.

(Code 2024, § 1.4.7)

1. Appointment. The public works director shall be appointed by the village president with the advice and consent of the board of trustees.
2. Duties and responsibilities. The public works director oversees the day-to-day operation of the street department, water and sewer department, and the parks department. The director shall supervise full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees that work for the street, park, water and sewer department and assign specific duties and tasks to be performed by these employees.
   1. As superintendent of the water department, the director shall:
      1. Supervise the day-to-day operation of the water system.
      2. Be responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of the pipes, valves, pumps, storage tanks and control systems.
      3. Oversee the construction of additions to, or extensions of, the water system by contractors hired by the village or others.
      4. Conduct water sampling and testing as required by state environmental protection agency.
      5. Have authority as to the design, materials, and workmanship of any construction or repairs made to the water system.
      6. Have the authority to authorize emergency repairs to the water system by hiring labor or contractors and buying materials for the repairs.
      7. Read the water meters for water customers on a schedule determined by the board of trustees and provides the readings to the collector of the water department.
      8. Maintain and install customer water meters as required to ensure accurate measurement of water used by water customers.
   2. As superintendent of the sewer department, the director shall:
      1. Supervise the day-to-day operation of the sanitary sewer system.
      2. Be responsible for the operation, maintenance and repairs of the pipes, pumps, lift stations and control systems.
      3. Oversee the construction of additions to, or extensions of, the sanitary sewer system by contractors hired by the village or others.
      4. Have authority as to the design, materials, and workmanship of any construction or repairs made to the sanitary sewer system.
      5. Have the authority to authorize emergency repairs to the sanitary sewer system by hiring labor or contractors and buying materials for the repairs.
      6. Maintain the stormwater drainage system, including, but not limited to, drains, catchbasins, piping, gate valves and open ditches to ensure the controlled flow of stormwater from village streets, alleys, and drainage ditches.
      7. Obtain quotes for maintenance to be done beyond the capabilities of the village or its employees for recommendation to the board of trustees.
   3. As superintendent of the parks department, the director shall:
      1. Be responsible for the maintenance of the parks system, including, but not limited to, recreational paths, playground equipment, fencing, buildings, shelters, tables, benches, bushes, grass and other vegetation that is nurtured for growth, and lighting.
      2. Have the authority to hire temporary or seasonal manpower to accomplish tasks in support of the maintenance of the parks system in accordance with the village employment policy.
   4. As superintendent of the streets department, the director shall:
      1. Be responsible for the maintenance of the streets, alleys, sidewalk, easements, and rights-of-way for the village.
      2. Oversee any and all patching, crack filling, and pavement repairs to the streets and sidewalks by village employees, or contractors hired by the village or others.
      3. Have the authority as to the design, materials, and workmanship of repairs made to any street, alley, or sidewalk.
      4. Ensure that the streets are clear of debris that would prevent the safe and efficient movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
      5. Maintain and install village-owned street identification signs, traffic control signs and devices that control traffic on, and access to, village-owned streets and alleys, no parking signs, and any other signs or devices as deemed by the village board.
      6. Plow and remove snow and ice from village streets, alleys, sidewalks and parking lots and other areas designated by the board of trustees for snow removal.
      7. Have the authority to hire temporary or seasonal manpower during heavy or frequent snowfalls for the purpose of plowing the streets and alleys in accordance with the village employment policy.
      8. Have the authority to order and stockpile road salt for the purpose of melting ice from village streets and alleys within parameters set by the board of trustees.
   5. The director shall also have the authority to control traffic on village streets and alleys using standard traffic control devices approved by the state department of transportation for the purposes of maintaining or repairing water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer systems, sidewalks, recreational paths, and streets and alleys.
   6. The director shall be responsible for the maintenance and repair of vehicles and equipment used to maintain any of the aforementioned systems, including, but not limited to, trucks, mowers, trimmers, graders, backhoes, tractors, loaders, generators, compressors, pumps, plows, and spreaders. In that capacity, the director shall:
      1. Have the authority to arrange for the emergency repair of any vehicles or equipment that is beyond the capabilities of the village or its employees.
      2. Obtain estimates for the non-emergency repair of vehicles or equipment beyond the capabilities of the village or its employees for recommendation to the board of trustees.
   7. The director shall be responsible for the general maintenance of any buildings or structures used to house the equipment or supplies used to maintain any of the aforementioned systems, including, but not limited to, garages, sheds, pump houses, and meter houses, and in that capacity shall:
      1. Have the authority to arrange for the emergency repair of any buildings that is beyond the capabilities of the village or its employees.
      2. Obtain estimates for the non-emergency repair of buildings beyond the capabilities of the village or its employees for recommendation to the board of trustees.
   8. The director shall locate and mark, using standardized marking methods, village utilities for contractors who are digging within village easements and rights-of-way when requested to do so. Requests may come from the village clerk's office, the contractor doing the digging, or from JULIE (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators).
   9. The director shall maintain the fuel storage and dispensing system for diesel and unleaded fuel for village vehicles and equipment and ensure a sufficient supply of fuel is available for village use. When needed, the director shall order fuel to be delivered from a vendor approved by the board of trustees. The director shall also be responsible for the security of the fuel storage and dispensing system in accordance with policies established by the board of trustees and maintain the monthly fuel log sheet for the fuel supply.
   10. The director must be reasonably available during non-working hours to respond to emergency repairs of, or problems associated with alarms for, the water system, sanitary sewer system, storm drain system and streets and alleys, and other emergencies.
   11. The director shall attend all regular meetings of the village board of trustees and attend committee meetings as required. The director shall advise the board of trustees or committee chairmen of the status of ongoing projects and any problems that may affect the efficient operation of the water system, sanitary sewer system, storm sewer system, streets, or parks department.
   12. The director shall have such other duties that may be assigned from time to time by the board of trustees.
3. Salary. The public works director shall receive compensation as from time to time be provided by ordinance by the president and board of trustees.

(Code 2024, § 1.4.9)

1. Appointment. The building inspector, also referred to as the building official, shall be appointed by the village president with the approval of the board of trustees of the village.
2. Powers and duties. The building official shall see to the enforcement of all ordinances and provisions relating to construction, demolition, alterations, and unsafe buildings or structures. He is to enforce village zoning regulations related to buildings or other structures being erected or altered or demolished, as frequently as may be necessary to ensure compliance with village ordinances. The building official shall also have all the duties and powers as referenced in village building and construction provisions, including adopted codes.
3. Stop order. The building inspector shall have the power to order all work stopped on construction or alteration or repair of buildings in the village when such work is being done in violation of any provision of any ordinance or in violation of the village zoning regulations. Work shall not be resumed after the issuance of such an order except on the written permission of the inspector. If the stop order is an oral one, it shall be followed by a written stop order within an hour. Such written stop order may be served by any enforcement officer or the building official.
4. Entry powers. The building official shall have the power to make or cause to be made an entry into any building or premises where the work of altering, repairing or constructing any building or structure is going on, for the purpose of making inspections, at any reasonable hour.
5. Ex officio plumbing inspector. The building inspector shall not act as ex officio plumbing inspector and shall not have all the powers to perform all the duties connected with that office, unless a licensed plumber is not available.
6. Ex officio electrical inspector. The building inspector shall not act as ex officio electrical inspector and shall not have all the powers and perform all the duties connected with that office, unless a licensed electrical is not available.
7. Salary. The building inspector shall receive compensation as may from time to time be provided by the board of trustees.

(Code 2024, § 1.4.8)

1. Appointment. The plumbing inspector shall be appointed by the village president with the approval of the board of trustees of the village.
2. Duties and powers. The plumbing inspector shall see to the enforcement of all ordinances and provisions relating to plumbing within the village. He shall also have the power to carry out his duties as stated in the state plumbing code.
3. Salary. The salary of the plumbing inspector shall be set by resolution passed by a majority of the village.

(Code 2024, § 1.4.10)

The county animal control unit is designated as the animal control officer for the village.

(Code 2024, § 1.4.6)

1. Appointment. The tax increment financing (TIF) administrator shall be appointed by the president of the board of trustees with the approval and concurrence of the board of trustees.
2. Duties and responsibilities. The TIF administrator shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
   1. Administer the village TIF redevelopment plans and projects for each TIF district.
   2. Annually determine the TIF increment generated for each redevelopment project within each TIF district.
   3. Review requests for reimbursement from developers and others and render advice to the president and board of trustees concerning the eligibility of such costs under the TIF Act and the applicable redevelopment agreement for reimbursement of eligible expenses.
   4. Prepare requests for payment to developers and others to be submitted to the board of trustees for payment approval, in accordance with redevelopment agreements based upon the annual increment for each redevelopment project.
   5. Account for payments made to developers and others towards the approved eligible expenses balance for each redevelopment project.
   6. Prepare, review and assist in the preparation of annual reports and certifications as required by the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Act or other applicable state laws.
   7. Consult with the village's legal council on TIF-related matters.
   8. Perform other tasks that may be required by the president and board of trustees.
3. Salary. The TIF administrator shall receive compensation as may from time to time be provided by the board of trustees.

(Code 2024, § 1.4.13)

1. Applicability. Unless otherwise specifically provided in this article, this section shall apply to all employees of the village regardless of the time of the creation of the position or the time of the appointment of the employee.
2. Appointment. Employees of the village other than elected officers shall be appointed by the president and the board of trustees, as provided by statute; and all employees shall, in the absence of any provision to the contrary, be hired by the village president.
3. Termination. Any employee of the village may be terminated for any cause whatsoever by the village president. The employee shall be given seven days' notice of the termination. Upon termination, the employee shall deliver to the village president all books, records and equipment in their possession which may be the property of the village.
4. Salary and benefits. Compensation and benefits for all positions shall be established by ordinance by the village board of trustees.
5. Job description and advertisement of positions. All positions of employment with the village shall have a job description identifying their duties and responsibilities. All advertisements for employment with the village shall comply with statutory equal opportunity requirements.
6. Policy statement shall prevail in cases of termination.

(Code 2024, § 1.5.1)

The board of local improvements shall consist of the president and all the members of the board of trustees, and the village street superintendent. The board of local improvements shall have the powers and perform the duties assigned to it by statute or ordinance.

(Code 2024, § 1.7.1)

The planning commission shall consist of the president and the board of trustees. The commission shall have all of the statutory rights and duties of such a commission. The terms of the members of the planning commission shall respectively be the same as their term as trustee or president of the board. The chairman of the planning commission shall be elected by its members.

(Code 2024, § 1.7.2)