House Bill 1189

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF MONROE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, TO CREATE AND ESTABLISH A COUNTY BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE COMMISSION; TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD TO APPROPRIATE AND EXPEND FUNDS TO THE COMMISSION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. For purposes of this act, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Board of supervisors" and "board" means the Board of Supervisors of Monroe County, Mississippi;

(b) "Commission" means the Monroe County Beautification Commission authorized in Section 2 of this act;

SECTION 2. The board of supervisors may create and establish a county beautification commission. The commission shall be composed of five (5) commissioners to be appointed by a majority vote of the board of supervisors. Each commissioner shall be a qualified elector of the county. There shall be one (1) member appointed from each of the five (5) supervisors districts of the county. Each commissioner shall serve for a term to run concurrent with the term of a member of the board of supervisors. Any vacancy in the office of a commissioner shall be filled by the board of supervisors in the same manner as the original appointment, and the appointee shall serve until the expiration of the term of his immediate predecessor. The commissioners shall serve at the will and pleasure of the board of supervisors, and the board shall have the power to remove and replace by majority vote any member of the commission.

SECTION 3. (1) The board of supervisors, in its discretion, may contribute an amount not to exceed Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) annually, from any available funds of the county, to the commission for the operation of the commission, including, but not limited to, the hiring of necessary personnel, spending of monies for education, advertising and other expenses incidental to the commission. Employees of the commission shall be under the direct control and supervision of the commission. No expenditures shall be made by the commission except in accordance with a budget approved by the board of supervisors.

(2) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may appropriate an amount not to exceed Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) annually, from the Road and Bridge Fund of Monroe County, when necessary for an expenditure by the commission for any beautification project of the commission related to county roads.

(3) The board of supervisors, in its discretion, may accept grants, gifts and donations from any source for the use and support of the commission.

SECTION 4. The board of supervisors, in its discretion, may adopt rules and regulations as it may deem necessary for the economic and efficient management of the commission.

SECTION 5. This act shall stand repealed from and after July 1, 2007.

SECTION 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after passage.