The board of a district which has owned and operated an electric distribution system for at least eight years and has a population of 250,000 or more may, notwithstanding any other provision of this division, appoint or remove only those officers or employees who are exempt from the district civil service and who either report directly to the board or report to another officer who reports directly to the board. All other officers and employees exempt from the district civil service shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the general manager.
The board may contract for the services of any officer who reports directly to the board or who reports to an officer who reports directly to the board and may authorize the general manager to contract for the services of other officers and exempt employees. The term of these contracts may not exceed five years in duration.