(a) All powers granted to drainage districts incorporated under the provisions of this act shall be exercised by a board of directors consisting of three persons. Except as provided in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 24-412 and Kan. Stat. Ann. § 24-139a, and amendments thereto, the directors shall hold their offices for four years and until their successors are elected or appointed, as the case may be, and qualified, and shall be chosen at the time and in the manner provided by law.

(b) Members of the board of directors shall be owners of land located in the drainage district and shall reside in the county in which the district is located or, if the district is located in more than one county, a county in which any portion of the district is located, except:

(1) If there are no residents within the drainage district who are owners of land within the district, any owner of land located within the district shall be a qualified voter and shall be eligible to hold the office of director; and

(2) a director shall be either an owner of or a tenant on land located within the drainage district whenever: (A) The drainage district is located within one county and the population of the county does not exceed 10,000; or (B) the drainage district is located in more than one county and the population of any such county does not exceed 10,000.