§ 19-4. Powers and functions of Authority.

(a) Governmental body.

To the greatest extent allowable by law, the Authority is and shall be deemed to be a governmental body, both politic and corporate, exercising only those powers as are provided for in this subtitle.

(b) Powers and duties.

(1) After consultation with the Administrator, the Local Development Council, and residents of and businesses in the District, the Authority shall adopt and update at least once every 5 years a 5-year strategic plan. At a minimum, the strategic plan shall lay out the strategic priorities of the Authority and how these will be expressed through enhanced services, community grants, transformational projects, and other efforts. The strategic plan shall be made available to the general public, at no charge, through a combination of print and electronic media.

(2) Subject to the requirements of § 9-1A-31 of the State Government Article, the Authority shall adopt and update from time to time written criteria and procedures for determining:

(i) which enhanced services it intends to provide; and

(ii) which community grants it intends to distribute.

(3) The Authority shall adopt an annual budget, as provided in § 19-7 of this subtitle.

(4) The Authority may spend the local impact grants received by it in a manner consistent with State and local law, the strategic plan, and any criteria or procedures adopted by the Board.

(5) The Authority may contract with a fiscal agent to provide administrative and financial services on behalf of the Authority, so long as the arrangement binds the fiscal agent to the same legal, professional, and ethical standards to which the Authority is itself bound.

(6) If the Authority determines that the most effective and appropriate means to provide a given service or function is to contract with the City to provide that service or function, it may do so as long as that contract is consistent with the strategic plan.

(7) To accomplish its purposes, the Authority may create and operate subsidiary entities controlled by the Authority or contract with affiliated nonprofit organizations. These subsidiaries or affiliated nonprofit organizations may receive funding from the Authority if that funding is detailed in the approved financial plan and consistent with the purposes of the Authority and the goals outlined in the strategic plan.

(8) The Authority shall employ an outside accounting firm to conduct an annual audit of its finances. This audit, once completed, shall be made available to the general public.

(9) The Authority shall operate in accordance with the State Open Meetings Act and the State Public Information Act.

(10) The Authority may contract for and purchase goods and services, subject to City ordinances and policy requiring achievement of goals regarding minority and women's business enterprises, but not subject to the City requirements regarding wage scales, competitive bidding, or other local procurement laws.

(11) The Authority may acquire, hold, and use both real and personal property as necessary to achieve its purposes, including acquisition by purchase, lease, or other means.

(12) The Authority may engage the services of an Administrator, who may be an individual or an entity, to administer the programs and undertakings of the Authority. The Administrator may also serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority.

(13) The Authority may sue and be sued. However, the District, the Authority, its Board of Directors, its Administrator, and its staff shall benefit, to the fullest extent allowable by law, from all provisions of federal, state, and local law limiting the liability of employees, officers, agents, and officials of governmental bodies.

(14) The Authority may accept grants and donations from public and private sources.

(15) The Authority may borrow funds for purposes consistent with the public purposes of the Authority. However, no borrowing may be for a term beyond the date for the District's renewal under § 19-16 of this subtitle.

(16) The Authority may enter into partnerships with various property owners. These partnerships may provide for the provision of permitted services and benefits by the Authority in exchange for payments arranged by contract, donation, gift, services in kind, or other mechanism by which funds or benefits are provided to the Authority.

(17) The Authority may establish and elect officers not already provided for in this subtitle and provide for their terms and duties.

(18) The Authority may implement its programs and goals directly through its employees or through 1 or more contracts. These contracts may be with independent contractors, contractual employees, or others.

(19) The Authority may assist marketing and promotional activities within the District, to the extent those activities are specified in the strategic plan.

(20) The Authority may appoint, hire, or engage accountants, attorneys, assistants, aides, employees, and advisors as it considers necessary for the proper performance of its duties, but consistent with this subtitle.

(21) The Authority may do all other things necessary or convenient to carry out its goals, objectives, and powers.