Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 37 - STREETS, PARKS AND OTHER PUBLIC PROPERTY (§§ 21-37-1 — 21-37-57) › Section 21-37-37 - Park commissioner; powers and duties of commissioners

The park commissioners shall elect one (1) of their numbers to serve as treasurer of the park commission, and he shall give bond in such amount as the governing authorities of the municipality shall require. Such bond shall be payable to the municipality.
The park commissioners shall have the authority to make such bylaws for the holding and conducting of their meetings and such other regulations as they may deem necessary for the safe, economic, and efficient management of such parks, playgrounds and swimming pools, and for the providing of wholesome and healthful recreation to all the citizens of such municipality. The park commissioners are authorized to elect such other officers and appoint such employees as may be necessary to maintain the said parks, playgrounds and swimming pools efficiently, and they shall have entire control and management of the said parks, playgrounds, and swimming pools, together with all property connected or in anyway appertaining to the same. The park commissioners shall have the authority to employ a park superintendent or manager, who shall have actual charge of said parks, playgrounds and swimming pools, and the enforcement and execution of all the rules, regulations and the direction of all programs and festivities, and the operation of all devices for recreation installed therein. They shall have the right to fix the salary or wage of all employees and to direct them in the discharge of their duties. They shall have the right to discharge employees, when found inefficient or for other good cause. They shall have the power to make and collect rates for use of the swimming pool and for the use of any other amusement device that may be installed in said playground, as well as the leasing of concessions or privileges for the sale of cold drinks, confections, popcorn, peanuts or other such articles, or such commission may operate such business. They are authorized to insure all property against loss by fire and tornado and to carry property damage or other miscellaneous casualty insurance, as in the discretion of said commission may be deemed proper, and pay premiums therefor out of the funds appropriated by the said governing authorities of the municipality or the revenues derived in the operation of such parks, playgrounds and swimming pools. They shall report quarterly to the governing authorities of the municipality all their doings and transactions of any kind whatsoever, and shall make a complete statement of the financial condition of such park commission at the end of each quarter. They shall annually make a detailed statement covering the entire management and operation of the said parks, playgrounds and swimming pools, and may make any recommendations which they may have for the further development of such parks, playgrounds and swimming pools. They shall purchase all supplies for said parks, playgrounds and swimming pools in the manner now provided by law for the purchase of such supplies by the governing authorities of such municipality, and shall issue vouchers in payment therefor. The park commissioners shall advertise for competitive bids in the purchase of its supplies in the manner and in the form as may be required of the governing authorities of such municipalities, and they shall make and keep full and proper books and records of all purchases and shall submit them in their quarterly and annual reports to the governing authorities of such municipality. The park commission shall have full jurisdiction of all funds coming into its possession either by appropriation of the governing authorities of the municipality or by gift or by revenue derived from the operation of said parks, playgrounds and swimming pools, and shall have authority to make all contracts in relation to the same.
Codes, 1942, §§ 3374-159, 3374-160; Laws, 1946, ch. 258, §§ 2, 3; Laws, 1950, ch. 491, §§ 159, 160; Laws, 1984, ch. 495, § 15; reenacted and amended, Laws, 1985, ch. 474, § 24; Laws, 1986, ch. 438, § 11; Laws, 1987, ch. 483, § 17; Laws, 1988, ch. 442, § 14; Laws, 1989, ch. 537, § 13; Laws, 1990, ch. 518, § 14; Laws, 1991, ch. 618, § 13; Laws, 1992, ch. 491 § 14, eff. 5/12/1992.