reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 25 - FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-59) › GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-11) › Section 21-25-3 - Establishment and maintenance of fire departments; reimbursement of training expenses

(1)
The governing authorities of municipalities shall have the power to provide for the prevention and extinguishment of fires, to organize, establish, operate, and maintain fire and hook and ladder companies, to provide for and maintain a fire department and system, and to regulate the same. The governing authorities shall have the power to allow the fire department to attend and help to extinguish a fire outside the city limits.
(2)
No fire fighter whose training expenses have been reimbursed to or paid by the political subdivision employing the fire fighter shall leave the employ of the political subdivision for not less than two (2) years after completion of the reimbursed training, unless the reimbursed expenses are paid by the new employer to the political subdivision which reimbursed or paid such expenses. The amount to be paid shall be determined on a pro rata basis based upon when the fire fighter leaves the political subdivision within the two-year period. Defined training expenses are related to minimum standards training, as established by the Mississippi Fire Personnel Minimum Standards and Certification Board which were incurred and include salary, tuition, travel expenses of the employee as well as personnel cost related to the training incurred during the employee's absence.
Codes, 1892, § 2967; 1906, § 3352; Hemingway's 1917, § 5849; 1930, § 2428; 1942, § 3374-140; Laws, 1938, ch. 331; Laws, 1950, ch. 491, § 140; Laws, 1995, ch. 340, § 1, eff. 7/1/1995.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 25 - FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-59) › GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-11) › Section 21-25-5 - Fire departments authorized to go outside municipal limits; liability

The fire departments, including the apparatus and all vehicles of such departments, are hereby authorized to use the roads, highways, streets and alleys outside the corporate limits of such municipalities owning and operating such fire fighting and fire prevention equipment, for the purpose of aiding in the extinguishing and prevention of fires or in the alleviating of damages or injuries caused by tornadoes or other casualties in locations outside the corporate limits of such municipalities. For the purpose of expediting the extinguishment or prevention of fires and of aiding in the rescue of persons or preventing other damage to either persons or property in such locations outside the corporate limits of such municipalities or in cities, towns, or villages located and situated beyond the corporate limits of such municipalities owning such equipment, such fire departments are hereby extended the right of way, or priority in use, over the public roads, highways, streets and alleys of the state and counties whether such roads, highways, streets or alleys are maintained by the state, counties, cities, towns, or villages.
To further effectuate and put into force and effect the purposes of this section, such municipalities owning and operating said equipment are hereby declared free of any liability on account of injury to persons or damage to property in going to and from such locations outside the corporate limits when engaged in the extinguishing and prevention of fires or in the alleviating of damages or injuries caused by tornadoes or other casualties, it being the purpose of this section that such municipalities aiding other municipalities or residents of the State of Mississippi located outside the corporate limits of such municipalities shall be entitled to all the benefits and immunities, both from civil and criminal prosecution, as are now enjoyed by such municipalities within their own respective corporate limits. This section shall be liberally construed to effect the purposes thereof.
Codes, 1942, § 3470; Laws, 1942, ch. 227; Laws, 1958, ch. 510; Laws, 1964, ch. 502, eff. 2/25/1964.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 25 - FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-59) › GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-11) › Section 21-25-7 - Hours of work for firemen limited; report to be made to state rating bureau

In all municipalities of this state maintaining a paid fire department, the personnel of which department is actively and exclusively engaged in fire duty, no member of such department, exclusive of the chief officer, shall be required to remain on active duty for an entire twenty-four hours. The personnel of such fire department shall be divided into two platoons, or shifts, one to perform duty in the daytime and the other to perform duty in the nighttime, but neither platoon, or shift, shall be required to remain on active duty in any event for more than fourteen hours per day, except in cases of urgent and extreme necessity.
Each municipality coming within the provisions of this section shall immediately submit to the Mississippi state rating bureau the set-up and organization of its fire department which will be necessary in order to comply with the provisions of this section and which can be effected without employing more than one additional fireman. Such municipality shall require of said rating bureau a ruling as to whether or not such a set-up and organization of its fire department would adversely affect the present insurance rating of such municipality; if said rating bureau in answer to such request shall give a written ruling in the affirmative the municipality requesting such ruling shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.
Codes, 1942, § 3471; Laws, 1934, ch. 326.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 25 - FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-59) › GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-11) › Section 21-25-9 - Medical and hospital care for municipal fire department personnel engaged in fire duty or emergency medical services for injury sustained or occupational disease contracted in the line of duty; payment of insurance premiums

In all municipalities of this state maintaining a paid or volunteer fire department, the personnel of which department is actively and exclusively engaged in fire duty or emergency medical services, the governing authorities of such municipality may pay out of the general fund of such municipality reasonable hospital and medical expenses for any member of said fire department on account of any occupational disease contracted or for any accident or injury sustained by said member by reason of his service or discharge of his duty in said department. Where hospital and medical expenses are to be paid directly from the municipality's general fund, the governing authorities of such city shall be the sole judge as to whether such illness or such injury was contracted or sustained in the line of duty of any such employee, and the reasonableness of said expenses.
Further, the governing authorities of such municipality may pay out of the general fund insurance premiums for the purchase of insurance covering hospital and medical expenses for any member of said fire department on account of any occupational disease contracted or for any accident or injury sustained by said member by reason of his service or discharge of his duty in said department.
In addition, the governing authorities of such municipality may pay out of the general fund insurance premiums for the purchase of accident, death or disability insurance covering any member of said fire department for expenses associated with any occupational disease contracted or for any accident or injury sustained by said member by reason of his service or discharge of his duty in said department.
Codes, 1942, § 3494.5; Laws, 1948, ch. 420; Laws, 1956, ch. 396.
Amended by Laws, 2022, ch. 503, SB 2357,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2022.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 25 - FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-59) › GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-11) › Section 21-25-11 - Purchase of certain insurance for firemen; payment of premiums

The governing authorities of any municipality having a population in excess of 140,000 people by virtue of the 1960 census are hereby authorized to purchase insurance coverage to protect firemen working under the direction of the municipal authorities, against any suit or claims growing out of any action of such firemen guilty of false arrest, false imprisonment, false or improper service of process, malicious prosecution or any other claim resulting from such officers' performance of official duties.
Such municipal authorities shall have the right to pay out of the general fund of such municipality any premiums which may become due on the aforesaid insurance policies.
Codes, 1942, § 3374-151.5; Laws, 1971, ch. 376, § 1, eff. 3/16/1971.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 25 - FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-59) › FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-21 — 21-25-31) › Section 21-25-21 - Creation

The governing authorities of any municipality are hereby authorized to create, by ordinance, a fire district within or adjoining such municipality when petitioned so to do by a majority of the owners of property, either real or personal, located within such proposed fire district. After the creation of the fire district such governing authorities shall cause the ordinance creating such fire district to be published three weeks in some newspaper in such municipality, or the county in which the municipality is located, and at the next regular meeting of the governing authorities after such three weeks' publication, they shall declare such territory to be a fire district as provided by this section. Such governing authorities shall have full power to contract for laying water mains and any other pipes or connections to the water mains to be used in said fire district, and for the establishment and maintenance of fire service therein.
Codes, Hemingway's 1917, § 5896; 1930, § 2505; 1942, § 3614; Laws, 1914, ch. 172; Laws, 1920, ch. 318; Laws, 1950, ch. 498, § 1; Laws, 1968, ch. 556, §§ 1, 2, eff. 8/7/1968.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 25 - FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-59) › FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-21 — 21-25-31) › Section 21-25-23 - Inclusion of state institution of higher learning

The governing authorities of any municipality are hereby authorized, when petitioned so to do by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the board of trustees of a community or junior college district, to create, by ordinance, a fire district encompassing the area adjoining such municipality on which a part or all of a State Institution of Higher Learning or a community college is located, after the creation of which such governing authorities and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the board of trustees of the affected community or junior college district shall have full power to contract for laying of water mains and any other pipes or connections to the water mains to be used in said fire district, and for the establishment and maintenance of fire service therein. However, no such governing authority shall have the power either to promulgate or enforce any charge, rule or regulation upon said district without first having received the ratification and consent of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the board of trustees of the affected community or junior college district as reflected by the minutes of said trustees.
Codes, Hemingway's 1917, § 5896; 1930, § 2505; 1942, § 3614; Laws, 1914, ch. 172; Laws, 1920, ch. 318; Laws, 1950, ch. 498, § 1; Laws, 1968, ch. 556, §§ 1, 2, eff. 8/7/1968.
Amended by Laws, 2024, ch. 516, HB 1163,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2024.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 25 - FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-59) › FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-21 — 21-25-31) › Section 21-25-25 - Consolidated fire districts

The governing authorities of any two or more municipalities may, in their discretion, contract to create a consolidated fire district, which shall consist of the whole, or a part, of the territory of such municipalities joining therein. Such contract entered into by the governing authorities of such municipalities shall embrace all of the essential terms, and shall state the amount to be contributed by each participating municipality, and the control and operation of same. An ordinance containing the contract as to control of equipment, supervision of the district, and the amount of money to be contributed by each municipality, shall be passed by the governing authorities of all participating municipalities in the same form and substance. Such ordinance shall be duly published as now required by law, and shall go into effect unless twenty per cent of the qualified electors of one of the participating municipalities shall petition against same and file said petition with the proper clerk on or before the next regular meeting of said governing authorities, to be held not less than fifteen days thereafter. If such petition be duly filed, said governing authorities may either cancel said prior ordinance or order an election on said question. Said ordinance shall go into effect immediately if a majority of the qualified electors voting in said election vote therefor; otherwise, said ordinance shall remain void and of no effect, and no like ordinance shall be passed within four years thereafter.
Such consolidated fire district shall be given a name, and the supervision of protecting said district shall be vested in the governing authorities of the municipality decided upon and stated in the ordinance creating the consolidated fire district. The governing authorities of the municipalities in a consolidated fire district created under the provisions of this section shall have the same powers and duties as the governing authorities in any other fire district.
Codes, 1942, § 3614.5; Laws, 1948, ch. 389; Laws, 1950, ch. 498, § 2.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 25 - FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-59) › FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-21 — 21-25-31) › Section 21-25-27 - Levy by special assessment within district to pay for service

The municipal governing authorities are vested with full power to raise the levy on the property, both personal and real, by special assessment within such fire district sufficient to pay for laying such water mains, and to meet the contracted annual rental for such service. Such authorities shall have all power to enforce and collect said taxes as provided by statutes empowering municipalities to collect special assessments, and it shall be done in the same general way and may be assessed at any time and cover such length of time as the governing authorities may deem proper.
Codes, Hemingway's 1921 Supp. § 5896a; 1930, § 2506; 1942, § 3615; Laws, 1920, ch. 318; Laws, 1950, ch. 498, § 3.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 25 - FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-59) › FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-21 — 21-25-31) › Section 21-25-29 - Extension of service; abandonment

The said governing authorities shall have power to declare an extension of such service to any adjacent territory, within or adjoining such municipality, upon petition of a majority of the property owners in such proposed added territory. In like manner, upon petition of a majority of the property owners residing therein, such fire districts may be abandoned and discontinued by the governing authorities of the municipalities involved.
Codes, Hemingway's 1921 Supp. § 5896b; 1930, § 2507; 1942, § 3616; Laws, 1920, ch. 318; Laws, 1950, ch. 498, § 4.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 25 - FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-59) › FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-21 — 21-25-31) › Section 21-25-31 - Acquisition of plant and equipment

Any municipality authorized to establish a fire district may purchase or construct any waterworks plant or other plant or equipment necessary for the establishment or maintenance of fire service in such fire district. Such municipality may issue the bonds of such fire district, as now provided by law, for the purpose of securing funds to be used for the purchase or construction of such plant. Such municipality may pay or retire such bonds from taxes annually levied on the taxable property of such district, as provided for in Section
21-25-27
.
Codes, Hemingway's 1921 Supp. § 5896c; 1930, § 2508; 1942, § 3617; Laws, 1920, ch. 318; Laws, 1950, ch. 498, § 5.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 25 - FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-59) › MUNICIPAL FIRE PROTECTION FUND [Repealed] (§ 21-25-41) › Section 21-25-41 - through 21-25-45 - [Repealed]

Repealed, by Laws, 1982, ch. 351, § 19, eff. 7/1/1982.
§ 21-25-41. [Codes, 1942, § 3494.7; Laws, 1950, ch. 415, §§ 1-4; 1954, ch. 344, § 4 [Para. 4]; 1966, ch. 595, § 1; 1971, ch. 342, § 1; 1973, ch. 496, § 1 (a, b)]. § 21-25-43. [Codes, 1942, § 3494.7; Laws, 1950, ch. 415, §§ 1-4; 1954, ch. 344, § 4 [Para. 4]; 1966, ch. 595, § 1; 1971, ch. 342, § 1; 1981, ch. 365, § 1]. § 21-25-45. [Codes, 1942, § 3494.7; Laws, 1950, ch. 415, §§ 1-4; 1954, ch. 344, § 4 [Para. 4]; 1966, ch. 595, § 1; 1971, ch. 342, § 1].
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 25 - FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-59) › INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN MUNICIPALITIES AND RURAL WATER ASSOCIATIONS (§§ 21-25-51 — 21-25-59) › Section 21-25-51 - Purpose; interlocal agreements authorized

(1)
It is the purpose of Sections
21-25-51
through
21-25-59
to permit the governing authorities of any municipality and a rural water association operating within the corporate limits of the municipality to make the most efficient use of their powers in upgrading their respective water systems for the purpose of improving local fire protection by enabling them to cooperate and to contract with each other on a basis of mutual advantage and thereby provide services and facilities in a manner that will accord best with geographic, economic, population and other factors influencing the needs and development of the fire protection of local communities.
(2)
The governing authorities of any municipality may enter into an interlocal agreement with any rural water association operating within the corporate limits of the municipality for the purpose of constructing, new construction or upgrading the water system of the municipality or the water association, or both, for the purpose of improving the fire protection of the municipality.
Laws, 1998, ch. 319, § 1, eff. 3/12/1998.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 25 - FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-59) › INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN MUNICIPALITIES AND RURAL WATER ASSOCIATIONS (§§ 21-25-51 — 21-25-59) › Section 21-25-53 - Approval by resolution; power, authority and responsibilities

(1)
No interlocal agreement made under Sections
21-25-51
through
21-25-59
shall be entered into by any municipality or rural water association without the approval by resolution on the minutes of the governing authorities of the municipality and the rural water association.
(2)
No power, authority and responsibility may be exercised under Sections
21-25-51
through
21-25-59
by the governing authorities of any municipality or rural water association which it would not have authority to exercise otherwise pursuant to the law controlling such municipality or association.
(3)
Any power, authority or responsibility exercised or capable of being exercised by the governing authorities of any municipality of this state may be exercised and carried out jointly with the governing authorities of any rural water association.
Laws, 1998, ch. 319, § 2, eff. 3/12/1998.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 25 - FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-59) › INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN MUNICIPALITIES AND RURAL WATER ASSOCIATIONS (§§ 21-25-51 — 21-25-59) › Section 21-25-55 - Contents of agreement

Any agreement made under the provisions of Sections
21-25-51
through
21-25-59
shall specify the following:
(a)
Its duration.
(b)
Its purpose or purposes.
(c)
The precise organization, composition, nature and powers of any separate legal or administrative entity created thereby; the specific citation of statutory authority vested in each of the governing authorities of the municipality and rural water association which are to be a party to the agreement.
(d)
The manner of financing, staffing and supplying the joint or cooperative undertaking and of establishing and maintaining a budget therefore; provided, that the treasurer and the disbursing officer of either the municipality or the association, or both, shall be designated in the agreement to receive, disburse and account for all funds of the joint undertaking as a part of the duties of the officer or officers.
(e)
The permissible method or methods to be employed in accomplishing the partial or complete termination or amendment of the agreement and for disposing of property upon such partial or complete termination or amendment.
(f)
The provision for administration, through a joint board or other appropriate means, of the joint or cooperative undertaking in the event that the agreement does not or may not establish a separate administrative body or legal entity to conduct the joint or cooperative undertaking. In the case of a joint board, both the governing authorities of the municipality and the rural water association shall be represented.
(g)
The manner of acquiring, holding and disposing of real and personal property used in the joint or cooperative undertaking in the event that the agreement does not or may not establish a separate administrative body or legal entity to conduct the joint or cooperative undertaking.
(h)
Any other necessary and proper matters.
Laws, 1998, ch. 319, § 3, eff. 3/12/1998.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 25 - FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-59) › INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN MUNICIPALITIES AND RURAL WATER ASSOCIATIONS (§§ 21-25-51 — 21-25-59) › Section 21-25-57 - Bonded and floating indebtedness; appropriations; supplying goods and services

The governing authorities of any municipality entering into an interlocal agreement with a rural water association operating within the corporate limits of the municipality pursuant to Sections
21-25-51
through
21-25-59
may incur bonded and floating indebtedness, including general obligation indebtedness as authorized by Sections
21-33-301
through
21-33-329
and may appropriate funds for the purpose and in the manner prescribed by law without regard to whether the activities and improvements authorized under Section
21-25-51
to be financed by such debt or appropriation are within or without the corporate limits of the municipality. The governing authorities of the municipality may sell, lease, grant or otherwise supply goods and services to the rural water association which is a party to the interlocal agreement or the administrative body or legal entity created to operate the joint or cooperative undertaking.
Laws, 1998, ch. 319, § 4, eff. 3/12/1998.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 25 - FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE DISTRICTS (§§ 21-25-1 — 21-25-59) › INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN MUNICIPALITIES AND RURAL WATER ASSOCIATIONS (§§ 21-25-51 — 21-25-59) › Section 21-25-59 - Price of newly constructed or upgraded water system

After a water system has been constructed or upgraded pursuant to the provisions of Sections
21-25-51
through
21-25-59
, the municipality which reimbursed or paid a rural water system for the cost of such construction or upgrading shall not be charged with the costs of such construction or upgrade upon its purchase of the water system. The price of such newly constructed or upgraded water system shall be reduced by an amount equal to the costs paid by the municipality to the rural water system for such construction or upgrading of the water system.
Laws, 1998, ch. 319, § 5, eff. 3/12/1998.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 27 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-221) › GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-9) › Section 21-27-1 - No franchise or right to be exclusive, without compensation, or longer than 25 years

No municipality shall have the power to grant to any person, firm or corporation any exclusive franchise or any exclusive right to use or occupy the streets, highways, bridges, or public places in such municipality for any purpose. No municipality shall grant, renew, or extend any such franchise, privilege or right, without compensation or for any longer period than twenty-five years.
The provisions of this section shall be applicable to all municipalities of this state, whether operating under a code charter, special charter, or the commission form of government, except in cases of conflict between the provisions of this section and the provisions of the special charter of a municipality, or the law governing the commission form of government, in which cases of conflict the provisions of the special charter or the statutes relative to the commission form of government shall control.
Codes, Hemingway's 1917, § 6056; 1930, § 2644; 1942, §§ 3374-85, 3374-111; Laws, 1912, ch. 120; Laws, 1950, ch. 491, § 85, 111, eff. 7/1/1950.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 27 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-221) › GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-9) › Section 21-27-3 - Poles, posts and wires

The governing authorities of municipalities shall have the power to grant the right for the erection of telegraph, electric light, or telephone poles, posts and wires along and upon any of the streets, alleys, or ways of the municipality, and change, modify, and regulate the same. However, such privilege shall not be exclusive, and no such privilege shall be granted for a longer term than twenty-five years.
Codes, 1892, § 2932; 1906, § 3323; Hemingway's 1917, § 5820; 1930, § 2400; 1942, § 3374-119; Laws, 1950, ch. 491, § 119, eff. 7/1/1950.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 27 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-221) › GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-9) › Section 21-27-5 - Pipes, conduits and pipe lines

The governing authorities of municipalities shall have the power to grant to any person, corporation, or association, on such terms and conditions as the governing authorities may prescribe, the use of the streets, alleys and other public grounds for the purpose of laying, constructing, repairing and maintaining gas, water, sewer, or steam pipes, or conduits for electric light, telegraph and telephone lines, and pipe lines for the purpose of transporting crude oil, crude petroleum, kerosene, gasoline, and other commodities transportable by pipe line. However, such franchise, right-of-way or privilege of any character whatsoever shall not be granted for a longer period than twenty-five years, and such privilege shall not be exclusive.
Codes, 1892, § 2933; 1906, § 3324; Hemingway's 1917, § 5821; 1930, § 2401; 1942, § 3374-120; Laws, 1950, ch. 491, § 120, eff. 7/1/1950.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 27 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-221) › GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-9) › Section 21-27-9 - Testing of water, electric and gas meters; authority to prosecute persons for tampering with meters

If, upon complaint of any citizen or citizens interested, the governing authorities of any municipality find that there is reasonable ground for believing that any meter or meters intended to measure or register the quantity of water, electric light or power, or gas supplied or furnished by any individual, company or corporation to the municipality or its inhabitants is or are measuring or registering incorrectly or excessively or is or are of a less candle power or degree of brilliancy than required by contract, such governing authorities may employ an expert, who shall examine and test said meter or meters, or said light or lights, as the case may be, and report back to said governing authorities, notice of the time and place of the proposed test or tests being first given to all parties interested. If such examination or test shall show the fact that said meter or meters measure or register incorrectly or excessively, or that said light or lights are of a less candle power or brilliancy than required by contract, then all expenses of such examination and test incurred by said municipal governing authorities shall be charged against and collected back from said individual, company or corporation supplying or furnishing such water, electric light or power, or gas, as the case may be, and such penalties may be imposed as the municipal ordinances may provide.
The governing authorities of any municipality are authorized to prosecute any person tampering with electric, gas or water meters as provided in Section
97-25-3
.
Codes, 1906, § 3353; Hemingway's 1917, § 5850; 1930, § 2429; 1942, § 3374-141; Laws, 1950, ch. 491, § 141; Laws, 1992, ch. 385, § 1, eff. 7/1/1992.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 27 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-221) › MUNICIPALLY OWNED UTILITIES (§§ 21-27-11 — 21-27-77) › Section 21-27-15 - Governing authorities may remove any commissioner for cause, but may not abolish the commission

The governing authorities of such municipality shall have the power to remove any member of said commission for inefficiency or incompetency or any other cause, but the governing authority of any municipality which has created a commission under the terms of Section
21-27-13
, shall not have authority to abolish the commission, or to diminish its powers, except by a vote of a majority of the qualified electors of such municipality at a special election, duly called and held for that purpose. However, nothing herein shall limit, alter, impair or in any way change the procedure prescribed for the sale or lease of a public utility system under Section
21-27-33
.
Codes, Hemingway's 1917, § 6011; 1930, § 2621; 1942, § 3519-04; Laws, 1910, ch. 170; Laws, 1940, ch. 283; Laws, 1950, ch. 494, § 4; Laws, 1962, ch. 549, eff. 5/31/1962.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 27 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-221) › MUNICIPALLY OWNED UTILITIES (§§ 21-27-11 — 21-27-77) › Section 21-27-19 - Disposition of revenues by commission

The commission shall devote all monies, derived from any source other than the issuance of bonds for purposes authorized by the laws of the State of Mississippi, to or for the payment of all operating expenses, including such items as are normally required of utilities for sales development; to or for the payment of all bonds and interest on outstanding revenue bonds, if any, of such systems; to or for the acquisition and improvement of the system contingencies; to or for the payment of all other obligations incurred in the operation and maintenance of the systems and the furnishing of service; to or for the creation and maintenance of a cash working fund or a surplus fund to be used for replacement, extension of systems, and emergencies. The balance of the revenues of said systems, if any, may be used for any other lawful municipal purpose and may be paid to the governing authorities of the municipality for distribution to the various municipal funds, or may be disbursed for said purpose by the said commission at the direction and request of the governing authorities of such municipality.
Codes, Hemingway's 1917, § 6012; 1930, § 2622; 1942, § 3519-05; Laws, 1910, ch. 170; Laws, 1940, ch. 283; Laws, 1950, ch. 494, § 5; Laws, 1958, ch. 529, § 1.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 27 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-221) › MUNICIPALLY OWNED UTILITIES (§§ 21-27-11 — 21-27-77) › Section 21-27-21 - Commission to keep records of service furnished municipality

The commission shall keep an accurate account and record of power, current, water, or other services furnished to all departments of the municipality.
Codes, 1942, § 3519-06; Laws, 1940, ch. 283; Laws, 1950, ch. 494, § 6, eff. 7/1/1950.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 27 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-221) › MUNICIPALLY OWNED UTILITIES (§§ 21-27-11 — 21-27-77) › Section 21-27-25 - Borrowing money for improvement, extension, repair or stockpiling fuel of system

Any municipality which owns or operates any system, shall have the power and authority through its utilities commission to borrow money and issue its negotiable notes or certificates of indebtedness therefor, in an amount not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the gross revenues of the system in the last preceding fiscal year, in any calendar year, for the purpose of improving, repairing or extending any such system, or of stockpiling fuel for any such system, or systems, without the necessity of calling and holding an election upon such question or otherwise obtaining the consent of the qualified electors of the municipality, or giving any notice thereof. However, the utilities commission shall secure approval of the governing authorities of the municipality. In all cases where money is borrowed under the provisions of this section, the same shall be repaid within three (3) years and at no time shall the amount of money borrowed under this section exceed thirty percent (30%) of the gross revenues of the system for the last preceding fiscal year.
Codes, 1942, § 3519-26; Laws, 1950, ch. 494, § 26; Laws, 1958, ch. 529, § 5; Laws, 1978, ch. 337, § 1, eff. 3/7/1978.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 27 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-221) › MUNICIPALLY OWNED UTILITIES (§§ 21-27-11 — 21-27-77) › Section 21-27-27 - Free service

No free service shall be furnished by any such system, or combined system, to any private person, firm, corporation, or association. The municipality may, however, furnish such service, free of charge, to the municipality or any agency or department thereof, to any public school, or to any hospital or benevolent institution located within such municipality, including county, city, and community fairs.
Codes, 1942, § 3519-14; Laws, 1934, ch. 316; Laws, 1950, ch. 494, § 14, eff. 7/1/1950.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 27 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-221) › MUNICIPALLY OWNED UTILITIES (§§ 21-27-11 — 21-27-77) › Section 21-27-29 - Rates not to be supervised by state; no franchise required

Rates charged for services furnished by any system or combined system purchased, constructed, improved, enlarged, extended or repaired under the provisions of Sections
21-27-11
through
21-27-69
shall not be subject to supervision or regulation by any state bureau, board, commission, or other like instrumentality or agency thereof. It shall not be necessary for any municipality operating under the provisions of said sections to obtain any franchise or other permit from any state bureau, board, commission or other instrumentality thereof, in order to construct, improve, enlarge, extend or repair any system or combined system. However, billing and service disputes between the system and its customers shall be subject to review and arbitration by the Public Service Commission as provided under Section
77-3-6
.
Codes, 1942, § 3519-18; Laws, 1934, ch. 316; Laws, 1950, ch. 494, § 18; Laws, 1990, ch. 455, § 4, eff. 7/1/1990.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 27 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-221) › MUNICIPALLY OWNED UTILITIES (§§ 21-27-11 — 21-27-77) › Section 21-27-31 - Keeping of books and accounts by municipality

Any municipality issuing revenue bonds pursuant to the authority granted in Section
21-27-23
shall install and maintain proper books of record and account (separate entirely from other records and accounts of such municipality), in which correct entries shall be made of all dealings or transactions of or in relation to the properties, business and affairs of the system or combined system. The governing authorities of such municipality, not later than three months after the close of any calendar, operating or fiscal year, shall cause to be prepared a balance sheet and an income and operating and surplus account showing, respectively, in reasonable detail, the financial condition of the system or combined system at the close of such preceding calendar, operating or fiscal year, and the financial operations thereof during such year. Said balance sheet and the income and operating and surplus account shall at all times during the usual business hours be open to examination and inspection by any taxpayer, user of the services furnished by the system, or any holder of bonds issued pursuant to the authority granted in Section
21-27-23
, or any one acting for or on behalf of such taxpayer, user of the services of the system, or bondholder.
Codes, 1942, § 3519-19; Laws, 1934, ch. 316; Laws, 1950, ch. 494, § 19, eff. 7/1/1950.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 27 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-221) › MUNICIPALLY OWNED UTILITIES (§§ 21-27-11 — 21-27-77) › Section 21-27-35 - Utilization of proceeds of sale of public utility system

The governing authorities of any municipality which have sold or which may hereafter sell any utility system owned by such municipality, may use the proceeds of the sale of such system, or any part thereof, for the purpose of retiring and paying off any of the public debt of the municipality, and they may purchase the outstanding bonds or other obligations of the said municipality at such price, whether above or below par, as they may consider fair and reasonable. The said governing authorities may, in their discretion, invest the said funds, or any part thereof, derived from the sale of the said system or systems in any of the securities now eligible for purchase by public sinking funds of municipalities, at such price, whether above or below par, as they may determine to be fair and reasonable.
Codes, 1930, § 2550; 1942, § 3519-25; Laws, 1928, ch. 120; Laws, 1950, ch. 494, § 25, eff. 7/1/1950.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 27 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-221) › MUNICIPALLY OWNED UTILITIES (§§ 21-27-11 — 21-27-77) › Section 21-27-37 - Inspection of utility authorized; penalty for violation

The governing authorities of every municipality shall have power to inspect or cause to be inspected the machinery, appliances and premises of all persons, copartnerships or corporations owning or operating any system within their corporate limits, in order to ascertain whether or not the said machinery, appliances and premises are kept in a sanitary condition and in condition to comply with the terms and requirements of the franchise or franchises under which the said system or systems are operated.
If any person, copartnership or corporation, or any employee thereof, shall refuse to permit the municipal governing authorities to make such inspection immediately when requested so to do, they shall, for each such refusal, forfeit the sum of one thousand dollars, to be recovered in an action in the name of said municipality.
Codes, Hemingway's 1917, §§ 5890, 5891; 1930, §§ 2458, 2459; 1942, § 3519-27; Laws, 1910, ch. 147; Laws, 1950, ch. 494, § 27, eff. 7/1/1950.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 27 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-221) › MUNICIPALLY OWNED UTILITIES (§§ 21-27-11 — 21-27-77) › Section 21-27-40 - Contract for extension of natural gas transmission lines into, and service with, natural gas district

(1)
Any municipality having its own natural gas transmission system in any county bordering the State of Alabama in which U. S. Highway 78 and State Highway 25 intersect and in which there is a publicly supported junior college and which is authorized by Section
21-27-39
, Mississippi Code of 1972, to extend its natural gas transmission lines may, in its discretion, enter into a contract for service with any natural gas district organized under the laws of this state, any part of which is located in said county. Such municipality may use such contract in determining the amount of funds available for the repayment of any bonds issued for this purpose in accordance with law.
(2)
Said natural gas district may enter into a contract with said municipality to the extent of such municipality's authorization under Section
21-27-39
, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the construction of gas transmission lines within such district and for supplying the customers within such district.
Laws, 1974, ch. 310, §§ 1, 2, eff. 2/27/1974.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 27 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-221) › MUNICIPALLY OWNED UTILITIES (§§ 21-27-11 — 21-27-77) › Section 21-27-41 - Ordinance to be enacted before bonds are issued

Whenever the governing authorities of any municipality shall determine to issue bonds pursuant to the authority granted in Section
21-27-23
to acquire or improve a system, it shall cause an estimate to be made of the cost of such system or improvement, and the fact that such estimate has been made shall appear in the ordinance authorizing the issuance of such bonds, which ordinance shall set forth a brief description in general terms of the contemplated system or improvement, the estimated life thereof, the said estimated cost thereof, the amount, date, denominations, rate of interest, times and places of payment and other details in connection with the issuance of the bonds, and such covenants and restrictions as may be necessary or desirable to safeguard the interests of the holders of the bonds.
Codes 1942, § 3519-10; Laws, 1934, chs. 316, 317; Laws, 1950, ch. 494, § 10; Laws, 1971, ch. 504, § 1, eff. 4/9/1971.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 27 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-221) › MUNICIPALLY OWNED UTILITIES (§§ 21-27-11 — 21-27-77) › Section 21-27-47 - Utilization of revenues of system to pay off bonds

Any municipality having outstanding bonds issued pursuant to the authority granted in Section
21-27-23
shall maintain rates for all the services and facilities afforded by any system, the revenues of which are pledged to the payment of such bonds, which rates shall be sufficient at all times to maintain an interest and bond redemption fund sufficient to pay the interest on and principal of such bonds as and when the same become due and payable and, if so provided in the ordinance authorizing such bonds, to accumulate a reserve in such fund, and to provide for the payment of such cost of operation and maintenance as may be necessary to keep such system at all times in good repair and working order. Such rates shall be fixed by separate ordinance precedent to or at the time of the issuance of such bonds and shall be revised from time to time so as to produce the amounts necessary to provide for the foregoing. Bonds issued pursuant to the authority granted in Section
21-27-23
to acquire or improve a system shall be secured by a pledge of an amount of the gross revenues of such system sufficient to maintain such an interest and bond redemption fund. However, if there are then outstanding bonds to the payment of which the revenues of a system have been previously pledged, then, until said outstanding bonds have been retired, bonds issued to improve such system shall be secured by a pledge of the revenues of the system in such an amount only after deductions have been made for servicing the said outstanding bonds and for maintaining and operating the system. Notwithstanding the above provisions, all revenue bonds issued for a specific utility may be issued on an equivalent basis, provided that each and every ordinance authorizing each and every bond issued shall clearly state the basis on which future revenue bond issues shall be provided for in order to place them on an equivalent basis with prior issues.
Codes, 1942, § 3519-11; Laws, 1934, chs. 316, 317; Laws, 1950, ch. 494, § 11; Laws, 1958, ch. 529, § 3.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 27 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-221) › MUNICIPALLY OWNED UTILITIES (§§ 21-27-11 — 21-27-77) › Section 21-27-49 - Services of system may be used by municipality

Whenever any municipality shall issue any bonds or other evidence of indebtedness which are payable solely from revenues to be derived from any system, the governing authorities of such municipality may, by appropriate provision in the ordinance or resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds, or by separate resolution or ordinance passed at or prior to the actual sale of such bonds, bind and obligate such municipality to take, for a period not exceeding the full term of such bonds, at least a stated minimum of the services to be afforded by such system and to pay, out of its corporate funds, a least a stated minimum price therefor. Such provision, resolution or ordinance shall constitute a contract between such municipality and all the holders of such bonds.
All such agreements heretofore entered into by any such municipality, whether such bonds have actually been delivered and paid for or not, are hereby ratified, approved and validated.
Codes, 1942, § 3519-23; Laws, 1936, ch. 283; Laws, 1950, ch. 494, § 23, eff. 7/1/1950.