Section 55-21-9 - General powers and duties of boardThe board shall possess the following powers, duties and responsibilities:
(a) The board shall acquire, construct, equip, operate and maintain the district zoological park and garden at a site to be selected by the board. Prior to selection of the site, the board shall prepare a comprehensive plan for site location and development. The zoological district may acquire by gift, purchase or condemnation a site for the zoological park and garden. The district zoological park and garden shall consist of adequate facilities and structures for the collection, habitation, preservation, care, exhibition, examination or study of wild and domestic animals, including, but not limited to, mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans and mollusks. The board may provide such lands, buildings and equipment as it deems necessary for parking, transportation, entertainment, education or instruction of the public in connection with such zoological park and garden.(b) The board is hereby authorized to acquire interests in real estate and personal property through purchase, donation, bequest or devise in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter and otherwise in accordance with the provisions of law. The board is further authorized to sell, convey, assign, mortgage or lease any interest in real estate which has been purchased, donated, bequeathed or devised to the zoological district but which is not suitable for a zoo park and such interest may include, but shall not be limited to, fee simple interests and life estates. The board is hereby authorized and empowered, in its discretion, to lease land on a yearly basis.
Before such real estate is sold, conveyed, assigned, purchased or leased, the fair market value of such real estate shall be determined by the averaging of at least three (3) appraisals by Mississippi members of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers. Such appraisals shall be paid for by the board.
The board shall not sell, convey, assign or lease any interest in real property which it has acquired from the State of Mississippi. There shall be no appraisal required for real property leased from the state for use in a district zoological park.
The board is hereby authorized to obtain abstracts and surveys, and to engage the services of attorneys to conduct the above described transactions. The board is authorized to obtain title insurance on property purchased if, in the opinion of the board, the best interests of the zoological district would be served.
(c) The board may conduct research studies and programs, collect and analyze data and prepare reports, maps, charts and other information relating to the zoological park and garden, or any wild or domestic animals, or may contract for any of such services without complying with the requirements of competitive bidding.(d) The board may appoint an advisory committee consisting of persons who are members of zoological societies or who have shown a background or interest in such societies or zoo management.(e) The board may accept and use gifts, grants or contributions from any source.(f) The board may enact regulations governing the efficient protection of the zoological park and garden and related facilities and the conduct of persons entering therein.(g) The board shall comply with all state and federal laws and any rules or regulations prescribed by any agency of the state and federal government relating to the quarantine, transportation, examination, habitation, care and treatment of wild animals.(h) The board shall have all powers necessary or convenient to discharge the duties imposed upon it by law, and to operate the zoological park and garden in the manner which will best serve the public.(i) The board shall report to the governing authorities of the participating municipalities and the board of supervisors of participating counties each year on the activities of the board and the operation of the zoological park and garden. These entities shall evaluate the activities of the board and the operation of the zoological park and garden.Laws, 1980, ch. 469, § 5, eff. 7/1/1980.