A. There is created the "Fort Stanton development commission", which shall be administratively attached to the office of cultural affairs.
B. The commission shall consist of seven members selected as follows:
(1) the chair of the Lincoln county commission or the designee of the chair;
(2) the mayor of the village of Ruidoso or the designee of the mayor;
(3) the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources or the designee of the secretary;
(4) the state historic preservation officer or the designee of the officer; and
(5) three members at large who are residents of Lincoln county and are appointed by the governor.
C. The chairman of the commission shall be elected annually from among the commission membership.
D. Appointed members shall serve for terms of six years each but the initial appointment shall be for two, four and six years to accomplish staggered terms. Vacancies in an appointed member's seat shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment was made.
E. Appointed members shall receive no compensation but may be paid per diem and mileage as provided for nonsalaried officers in the Per Diem and Mileage Act [ 10-8-1 to 10-8-8 NMSA 1978].