Upon the election of a board member of a rural water, sewer, gas and solid waste management district created pursuant to the Rural Water, Sewer, Gas and Solid Waste Management Districts Act, the provisions of Sections 481 through 487 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes shall not prohibit any employee already in the service of such rural water, sewer, gas and solid waste management district from continuing in such service or from promotion therein. Provided, however, the board member related to the employee shall excuse himself from the board meeting during any discussion of or action taken on any matter that could affect the employment or compensation for employment of such employee.