MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Local and Private Legislation

By: Representative Reynolds

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF TALLAHATCHIE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, TO CREATE THE NORTHWEST REGIONAL SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY; TO DESCRIBE THE RIGHTS, POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE AUTHORITY AND AUTHORIZE CERTAIN ADDITIONAL RIGHTS, POWERS AND DUTIES; TO AUTHORIZE PUBLIC AGENCIES TO CONTRACT WITH THE AUTHORITY; TO PROVIDE FOR CREATION OF A BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE AUTHORITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. (1) The Board of Supervisors of Tallahatchie County may create, by resolution, a regional solid waste authority to be known as the "Northwest Regional Solid Waste Authority." The authority shall be a public body corporate and politic constituting a political subdivision of the state. The authority shall be composed of Tallahatchie County.

(2) The authority shall be deemed to be acting in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state in the performance of essential public functions and the authority shall be empowered in accordance with this act to promote the health, welfare and prosperity of the general public.

SECTION 2. The rights, powers and duties of the authority shall be vested in the board of commissioners. The board of supervisors of Tallahatchie County shall appoint three (3) individuals who are residents of the county to serve, at the will and pleasure of the board, as commissioners. Each commissioner with the approval of the appointing board of supervisors may designate in writing an individual to serve as an alternate to act on behalf of the commissioner when the commissioner is not present. Each commissioner of the board shall be eligible for reappointment. All vacancies shall be filled by appointment in the same manner. Before assuming office, each commissioner shall take and subscribe to the constitutional oath of office before a chancery clerk. The board shall annually select a chairman and a vice chairman. A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

SECTION 3. The Northwest Regional Solid Waste Authority shall have all the rights, powers and duties of a regional solid waste management authority created under Sections 17-17-301 through 17-17-345, except eminent domain, and except as provided in this act, shall exercise those rights, powers and duties as provided in those sections. In addition to those rights, powers and duties, the authority may pay all or part of the cost of any project, except operational expenses, from the county general fund, not to exceed three (3) mills, of any county in the authority. Any public agency may contract with the authority as provided in Sections 17-17-301 through 17-17-345.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.