§7-1-3w. Authority to establish county beautification councils; organization; county commissions not obligated for debts of councils; powers and duties; expenditures of funds by councils; authority of county commissions to appropriate moneys.

In addition to all other powers and duties now conferred by law upon county commissions, county commissions are hereby authorized and empowered to establish county beautification councils which shall be composed of such number of persons with such organizational requirements and limitations as the county commission creating any such council may direct. Such councils shall be deemed to be agencies of the county commissions; however, county commissions shall not be obligated for any debt or obligation which may be created by such councils. The councils are empowered to employ such persons as are necessary to accomplish the undertakings assumed by them.

Each council shall be charged with the duty of improving the aesthetic qualities of the landscape within the county, and to such intent and purpose the councils may, with the approval of the commissioner of the West Virginia department of highways, engage in the planting, cultivation and maintenance of shrubs, trees and other plants on highway property and rights-of-way at such places and under such conditions as may be established by said commissioner.

County commissions may appropriate to such councils such funds as the county commissions deem appropriate. Councils may receive and expend appropriations for the purposes herein indicated and may, likewise, receive and expend appropriations, gifts, grants or contributions from the State of West Virginia, the federal government, or any agency of either, and from any other person, corporation or entity of whatever nature.