The board of appraisers shall elect a member as chair and the secretary of the district or his or her deputy shall be ex officio secretary of the board of appraisers. The appraisers shall receive such compensation and expenses as the board of directors of the district, with the approval of the county legislative authority of the county within which the major portion of the district is situated, shall determine, and which may forthwith be paid by the issuance of district warrants.