House Bill 1651

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, OR ANY AGENCY, AUTHORITY OR DISTRICT ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, TO ENGAGE IN UTILITY, PUBLIC WORKS AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AND TO EXPEND PUBLIC FUNDS FOR THESE PROJECTS NECESSARY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. As used in this act, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) "Agency" means the Coahoma County Economic Development District, the Industrial Development Authority of Coahoma County, Mississippi, or any agency, authority or district established by the Board of Supervisors of Coahoma County, Mississippi, for the purpose of securing, promoting or furthering economic or industrial development of Coahoma County, Mississippi.

(b) "Board of Supervisors" means the Board of Supervisors of Coahoma County, Mississippi.

(c) "Project" means the construction, repair or extension of streets, roads, waterworks, water supply facilities, sewerage and sewer collection and disposal facilities, drainage improvements, pollution control facilities and other facilities or infrastructure necessary, required or in furtherance of industrial or economic development within Coahoma County, Mississippi, both within and outside the municipalities located within the county.

SECTION 2. (1) The board of supervisors or any agency, upon approval and authorization by the board of supervisors, may engage alone or jointly with others in a project and provide funds, labor, equipment and in-kind services for the project. The amount and type of funding and support provided to any project by the board of supervisors shall be determined by resolution duly adopted and spread on the minutes of the board of supervisors. The amount and type of funding and support provided by any agency to any project shall be determined by the agency by resolution duly adopted and spread on the agency's minutes and approved by the board of supervisors. The board of supervisors may appropriate funds to a project, and any agency, upon the approval of the board of supervisors, may appropriate funds to the project. The board of supervisors and any agency, with the approval of the board of supervisors, may provide any type of funding and support to a project or to any governmental agency authorized by law to own, operate, control or maintain the facilities or infrastructure which constitute the project.

(2) The board of supervisors and any agency, with the approval of the board of supervisors, may apply for and accept, receive, disburse and expend federal and state funds and any other funds, public or private, which may become available by grant, donation, loan, the issuance of bonds or otherwise, for the purpose of construction, maintenance and improvements of a project. All federal funds accepted under this section shall be accepted and expended by the board of supervisors or the agency upon terms and conditions as are prescribed by the United States and as are consistent with state law. All state funds accepted under this section shall be accepted and expended by the board of supervisors or the agency upon terms and conditions as prescribed by the state.

(3) The board of supervisors and any agency may execute any agreements, contracts and documents and do and perform any other acts necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

(4) The board of supervisors or any agency, with the approval of the board of supervisors, may expend public funds available to it to promote and solicit new business and industry to Coahoma County, Mississippi, to utilize the project and to provide services which will insure the continued economic development in the county. The board of supervisors, or any agency, with the approval of the board of supervisors, may further expend funds to remove obstacles to the development of new business and industry within Coahoma County, Mississippi.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.