PART II. CONTROL OF GOVERNING BODY OR BOARD.

§8-16-4. Construction, etc., to be under control of governing body or appointed board, etc.

The construction, reconstruction, establishment, acquisition, improvement, renovation, extension, enlargement, increase, equipment, repair (including replacements), custody, maintenance and operation of any such works, and the collection of revenues therefrom, shall be under the supervision and control of the governing body, or of a committee, by whatever name called, composed of all or a portion of the governing body when only one municipality is involved, or of a board or commission appointed by such governing body when only one municipality is involved or appointed by the governing bodies when two or more municipalities take joint action under the provisions of this article, as may be provided by the governing body or bodies.

When such supervision and control are vested in a committee, board or commission, the governing body or bodies, as the case may be, may provide, by ordinance or ordinances, for said committee, board or commission to exercise such of the functions of the governing body or bodies in connection with the matter as it or they deem proper, and may provide for said committee, board or commission to receive such compensation as such body or bodies may deem proper, all of which authority and compensation shall be specifically provided for by ordinance or ordinances. Any such committee, board or commission shall consist of the number of members fixed in the ordinance or ordinances creating the same, and the manner and mode of the selection and appointment of the members of any such board or commission shall be stated in such ordinance or ordinances. The members of any such board or commission appointed by the governing body or bodies shall be chosen without regard to their political affiliations, but with regard to their business and professional experience or standing as citizens in the community. All compensation and expenses, including attorney's fees, of such committee, board or commission shall be paid solely from funds provided under the authority of this article. Any such committee, board or commission shall have the power to establish bylaws, rules and regulations for its own government.

When hereinafter used in this article, the term "board" shall be construed to mean the governing body or committee composed of all or a portion of the governing body when only one municipality is involved, or a board or commission appointed by the governing body when only one municipality is involved or appointed by the governing bodies when two or more municipalities take joint action under the provisions of this article, as the case may be. When two or more municipalities take joint action under the provisions of this article each governing body shall appoint to the board the number of members which the governing bodies have agreed shall be appointed by each such governing body.

The governing body or bodies also, in its or their discretion, may provide by ordinance or ordinances for the leasing of a municipal public works and provide for the custody, maintenance and operation thereof by a lessee in accordance with the provisions of such ordinance or ordinances and lease contract executed pursuant thereto: Provided, That the lessee shall pay to the municipality or municipalities for the use and occupancy of such municipal public works so leased an amount sufficient to provide a sinking fund for the payment of the bonds and the interest thereon and all other charges mentioned in section seventeen of this article.