MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: County Affairs

By: Representatives Robertson, Jennings

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 19-5-18, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ANY COUNTY TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH ANY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE CORPORATION, ASSOCIATION OR UTILITY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION OF A BILLING AND COLLECTION SYSTEM FOR ANY FEES OR CHARGES IMPOSED BY THE COUNTY FOR ANY SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY, INCLUDING GARBAGE COLLECTION OR ANY OTHER PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 19-5-18, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

19-5-18. (1) To defray the cost of establishing, operating and maintaining the system provided for in Section 19-5-17, the board of supervisors may develop a system for the billing and/or the collection of any fees or charges imposed on each person furnished garbage and/or rubbish collection and/or disposal service by the county or at the expense of the county. The board of supervisors may designate, by resolution, a county official to collect the fees or charges. If the board of supervisors designates an elected county official to collect the fees or charges, the board of supervisors shall pay the reasonable costs incurred in collecting the fees or charges. The county official so designated shall notify the board of supervisors monthly of any unpaid fees or charges assessed under Section 19-5-21. The sheriff of the county, in accordance with the performance of his regular duties, shall assist in the collection of any delinquent fees or charges.

(2) The board of supervisors may enter into a contract upon mutual agreement with a public or private corporation, nonprofit corporation, planning and development district or a public agency, association, utility or utility district within the county and/or the area receiving garbage and/or rubbish collection and/or disposal services or receiving any other public utility services from the county for the purpose of developing, maintaining, operating and administering a system for the billing and/or collection of fees or charges imposed by the county for any of such services. The entity with whom the board of supervisors contracts shall notify the board of supervisors monthly of any unpaid fees or charges assessed * * *. Any entity that contracts to provide a service to customers under this section may provide a list of its customers to the board of supervisors upon the request of the board.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1998.