SB567: SB567 "Ellaville-Schley County Parks and Recreation Authority Act"; enact

26 LC 62 0408 Senate Bill 567 By: Senator Harbison of the 15th AS PASSED A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To create the Ellaville-Schley County Parks and Recreation Authority and to authorize such1 authority to provide recreational services throughout Schley County; to provide a short title;2 to provide for the membership, for the appointment of members o f the authority, and for3 meetings of same; to provide for definitions; to describe powers of the authority; to provide4 for the issuance of revenue bonds and other similar instruments; to declare the public purpose5 of such instruments; to provide for certain tax exemptions; to grant the authority and its6 members certain immunitie s; to fix the venue or jurisdiction of actions; to provide for7 budgets and procedures in connection therewith; to provide for audits; to provide for funding;8 to authorize employment of officers, agents, and employees; to provide for construction of9 this Act; to provide for conveyance of property upon dissolutio n; to provide for related10 matters; to provide for activation of the authority; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other11 purposes.12 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:13 SECTION 1.14 This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Ellaville-Schl ey County Parks and15 Recreation Authority Act."16 S. B. 567 - 1 - 26 LC 62 0408 SECTION 2.17 (a) There is created a body corporate and politic to be known as the Ellaville-Schley County18 Parks and Recreation Authority, which shall be deemed to be a political subdivision of the19 State of Georgia and a public corporation. By that name, style , and title, such body may20 contract and be contracted with, sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, and complain21 and defend in all courts of law and equity. The authority shal l have its principal office in22 Schley County, and its legal situs or residence for the purpose s of this Act shall be Schley23 County. The scope of the authority's operation shall be limite d to the territory embraced24 within Schley County. The authority is granted the same exemptions and exclusions from25 taxes as are now granted to cities and counties for the operati on of facilities similar to26 facilities to be owned or operated by the authority as provided under the provisions of this27 Act.28 (b) The authority shall consist of five members, with two memb ers to be appointed by a29 majority vote of the governing authority of Schley County, no more than one of whom may30 be a member of such governing authority; two members to be appointed by a majority vote31 of the governing authority of the City of Ellaville, no more th an one of whom may be a32 member of such governing authority; and one member shall be joi ntly appointed by the33 governing authorities of Schley County and the City of Ellavill e. Initial members of the34 authority shall be appointed by July 1, 2026.35 (c) To be eligible for membership on the authority, a person shall be at least 21 years of age,36 shall have been a resident of Schley County for at least two ye ars, shall reside in Schley37 County during his or her membership, and, with the exception of members of the governing38 authority of Schley County or the governing authority of the City of Ellaville appointed to39 the authority pursuant to subparagraph (b) of this section, sha ll not hold an elected or40 appointed public office in Schley County or any of its municipa lities at the time of the41 appointment.42 S. B. 567 - 2 - 26 LC 62 0408 (d) The terms of the membership of the authority members shall be as follows: the initial43 joint member, one of Schley County's initial two appointees, and one of the City of Ellaville's44 initial two appointees shall all serve a term to expire June 30, 2027. The remaining one of45 Schley County's initial two appointees and the remaining one of the City of Ellaville's initial46 two appointees shall serve a term to expire June 30, 2028. Thereafter, all appointees shall47 serve terms of two years. Members may succeed themselves in office.48 (e) The members of the authority shall enter upon their duties immediately upon their49 appointment.50 (f) The office of any member of the authority shall be declared vacant upon a determination51 by a majority of the members of the authority that such authori ty member has been, while52 in office, arrested for or convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated53 nature, or a crime involving moral turpitude, has moved such me mber's residence from54 Schley County, or has been elected or appointed to another public office during the term of55 the appointment during such member's term of office. The authority shall be authorized to56 remove from office any member of the authority by a vote of at least two-thirds of the57 members in the event that such member of the authority is found to be guilty of misfeasance58 or malfeasance in office, is found to have failed to attend three or more successive regular59 meetings of the authority without a reasonable excuse approved by a resolution adopted by60 the authority, or who is found to have engaged in actions or activities which are detrimental61 to the carrying out of the duties and obligations of the authority.62 (g) Any vacancy on the authority shall be filled within 60 day s through appointment by a63 majority vote of the governing authority that had appointed the authority member whose64 resignation, removal, or ineligibility resulted in such vacancy. The person so appointed shall65 serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.66 (h) At the inception of the authority and during the month of July of each year thereafter,67 except as hereinafter provided, the authority shall elect, as p rovided in this Act, one of its68 members as chairperson, vice chairperson, and a secretary-treas urer. Such officers shall69 S. B. 567 - 3 - 26 LC 62 0408 serve a term of one year beginning on the date of their electio n and ending June 30 of the70 succeeding year, or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The chairperson71 shall have such powers and duties as granted from time to time by resolution of the authority. 72 When the vice chairperson is acting on behalf of the chairperson, the vice chairperson shall73 have the same duties and powers of the chairperson.74 (i) The authority shall meet a t least once m onthly for the tra nsaction of business. The75 authority may convene in special meetings on the call of the chairperson. If the chairperson76 is unable or fails to call a special meeting upon request of an authority member, the authority77 may convene a special meeting upon call by a majority of its members.78 (j) A majority of the members of the authority shall constitute a quorum, but no action may79 be taken by the members of the authority without the affirmative vote of a majority of the full80 membership of the authority. No vacancy on the authority shall impair the right of the81 quorum to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the authority.82 (k) The authority may make bylaws and other rules and regulations for its own governance,83 which may include the use of Robert's Rules of Order , and may amend such rules and84 regulations by a majority vote of the authority. The authority may delegate to one or more85 of its officers, agents, or employees such powers and duties as may be deemed necessary and86 proper.87 (l) The members of the authority shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall88 be reimbursed from any available funds for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in89 the performance of their duties.90 (m) No member of the authority shall have, directly or indirec tly, any financial interest,91 profit, or benefit in any contract, work, or business of the authority, nor in the sale, lease, or92 purchase of any property to or from the authority unless:93 (1) Any interest, profit, or benefit of such member is disclosed in advance to the other94 members of the authority and is recorded in the minutes of the authority;95 S. B. 567 - 4 - 26 LC 62 0408 (2) Such member having any such interest, profit, or benefit i s not present during that96 portion of an authority meeting when such contract, work, busin ess, sale, lease, or97 purchase is being discussed; and98 (3) Such member having such interest, profit, or benefit does not participate in any99 decision of the authority relating to such matter.100 (n) As used in this section, an "interest, profit, or benefit" shall mean any interest that101 reasonably may be expected to result in a direct financial bene fit to such member as102 determined by the authority, which determination shall be final and not subject to review.103 (o) All meetings of the authority shall be open to the public to the extent provided in104 Chapter 14 of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A.105 (p) The authority shall have perpetual existence.106 SECTION 3.107 (a) As used in this Act, the term:108 (1) "Authority" means the Ellaville-Schley County Parks and Re creation Authority109 created in Section 2 of this Act.110 (2) "Cost of the project" means and includes:111 (A) All costs of construction, purchase, lease, or other forms of acquisition;112 (B) All costs of real property and any interest therein or thereto incurred in connection113 with a project, including, without limitation, land, improvemen ts, franchises,114 easements, water rights, fees, permits, approvals, licenses, and the securing thereof and115 applying therefor;116 (C) All costs of personal property and any interest therein or thereto incurred in117 connection with a project including, without limitation, furnit ure, machinery,118 equipment, initial fuel, and other supplies;119 S. B. 567 - 5 - 26 LC 62 0408 (D) Financing charges and interest prior to and during constru ction and for such120 additional period as the authority may reasonably determine to b e n e c e s s a r y o r121 desirable in order to place such project in operation;122 (E) Costs of engineering, architectural, fiscal, and legal services;123 (F) Cost of plans and specifications and all other expenses necessary or incidental to124 the acquisition, construction, or equipping of any project or t o determining the125 feasibility or practicability of any project;126 (G) Fees paid to fiscal agents for financial and other advice or supervision;127 (H) Cost of administrative services and such other expenses as may be necessary or128 incident to the financing authorized by this Act; and129 ( I ) T h e c o s t o f a p r oje c t m a y a l s o i n c l u d e t h e p a y m e n t o f a n y loan made for the130 advance payment of any part of such cost, including interest thereon, and the costs of131 funding any debt service reserve or other reserves, as may be reasonably required by132 the authority with respect to the financing or operation of any project. Any obligation133 or expense incurred for any of the purposes outlined in this paragraph shall be regarded134 as part of the cost of the project and may be paid or reimburse d as such out of the135 proceeds of revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations of the authority issued pursuant136 to this Act.137 (3) "Project" means and includes the acquisition, construction, installation, modification,138 renovation, rehabilitation, equipping, maintenance, and operation of parks, athletic, and139 recreational centers, facilities, and areas of any and all kinds including, but not limited140 to, playgrounds, parks, swimming pools, diving and wading pools, hiking and camping141 areas and facilities, picnicking areas and facilities, lakes and ponds, tennis courts, athletic142 fields, athletic facilities, athletic courts, fishing and boati ng facilities, skateboarding143 facilities, bike trails, club houses, gymnasiums, stadiums, auditoriums and amphitheaters,144 recreation centers and facilities, youth centers, lands for ope n space, senior citizen145 centers, golf courses, and equestrian facilities; the usual and convenient facilities,146 S. B. 567 - 6 - 26 LC 62 0408 buildings, improvements, machinery, and equipment appertaining thereto, and any and147 all extensions, additions, and improvements of such facilities; the acquisition,148 construction, installation, modification, renovation, rehabilit ation, equipping,149 maintenance, and operation of any parking, concession, and dining facilities thereto; and150 other property of any nature whatsoever including, without limi tation, land, buildings,151 improvements, structures, machinery, equipment, and furniture or areas, deemed by the152 authority to be necessary, convenient, or desirable in connecti on with any such parks,153 athletic, or recreational centers, facilities, and areas.154 (4) "Revenue bonds" and "bonds" means revenue bonds as defined and provided for in155 Article 3 of Chapter 82 of Title 36 of the O.C.G.A., the "Revenue Bond Law," and which156 may be issued by the authority as authorized under such article and any amendments157 thereto.158 (b) Any project shall be deemed "self-liquidating" if, in the judgment of the authority, the159 revenues and earnings to be derived by the authority therefrom, including the anticipated160 revenues and earnings from the lease of any project, and all properties used, leased, and sold161 in connection therewith shall be sufficient to pay the cost of acquiring, operating,162 maintaining, repairing, improving, or extending the project and to pay the principal of and163 interest on the revenue bonds or other obligations that may be issued to finance, in whole or164 in part, the cost of such project or projects.165 SECTION 4.166 (a) The authority shall have all the powers necessary or conve nient to carry out and167 effectuate the purposes and provisions of this Act including, without limitation, the following168 powers:169 (1) To adopt a seal and alter the same at its pleasure;170 (2) To provide recreational services throughout Schley County;171 (3) To provide park services throughout Schley County;172 S. B. 567 - 7 - 26 LC 62 0408 (4) To develop, provide, maintain, and operate any project;173 (5) To develop and provide athletic and recreational programs, activities, and services;174 (6) To employ or retain agents, engineers, attorneys, fiscal a gents, accountants,175 architects, planners, consultants, parks and recreation directo rs, supervisors,176 superintendents, playground leaders, maintenance personnel, administrative personnel,177 and other personnel necessary for such purposes;178 (7) To acquire, construct, install, modify, renovate, rehabili tate, equip, maintain, and179 operate any project or portion thereof;180 (8) To acquire by purchase, lease, gift, construction, or othe rwise any real or personal181 property, or any interest therein desired to be acquired, as part of any project or for the182 purpose of improving, extending, adding to, reconstructing, ren ovating, or remodeling183 any project or part thereof already acquired or for the purpose of demolition to make184 room for any project or any part thereof. If the authority sha ll deem it expedient to185 construct any project on any lands, the title to which shall then be in the State of Georgia,186 the Governor is authorized to convey for and on behalf of the state title to such lands to187 the authority upon the receipt of such lawful consideration as may be determined by the188 parties to such conveyance. If the authority shall deem it expedient to lease, acquire, and189 construct any project on any lands, the title to which shall be in the name of the governing190 authority of Schley County or the governing authority of any municipality located in that191 county, such entity is authorized in its discretion to lease or convey title to such lands to192 the authority upon the receipt of such lawful consideration as may be determined by the193 parties of such conveyances or upon payment for the credit of the general funds of such194 county or municipalities of the reasonable value of such lands. Such reasonable value195 shall be determined by mutual consent of such county or municipality and the authority196 or by an appraiser to be agreed upon by the governing authority or body of such county197 or municipality and the chairperson of the authority. If the a uthority shall deem it198 expedient to lease or acquire any real or personal property from the governing body of199 S. B. 567 - 8 - 26 LC 62 0408 Schley County or of any municipality located therein, such governing body is authorized200 in its discretion to lease or convey title to such real or personal property to the authority201 without consideration from the authority to such governing body;202 (9) To sell, convey, or assign any real or personal property, contract rights, revenues,203 income, tolls, charges, or fees owned or received by the author ity, provided that such204 conveyance or assignment is not prohibited by the deed of such property to the authority205 or otherwise prohibited by other contract of the authority;206 (10) To make, execute, and perform all contracts, leases, agre ements, and other207 instruments deemed by the authority to be necessary or convenient in connection with the208 exercise by the authority of any of its powers, including contracts for the acquisition and209 construction of projects and leases of projects and contracts w ith respect to the use of210 projects which the authority causes to be erected or acquired. Such contracts may be211 made with any and all persons, firms, and corporations and with Schley County or any212 municipality located in Schley County, and with the State of Georgia, or any and all of213 its political subdivisions , departments, institutions, or agenc i e s , a l l o f w h o m a r e214 authorized to enter into contracts, leases, agreements, or instruments with the authority215 upon such terms and for such purposes as they deem advisable. Without limiting the216 generality of this paragraph, authorization is specifically gra nted to municipal217 corporations and counties and to the authority to enter into co ntracts, leases, and218 sublease-agreements with the State of Georgia, or any agencies or departments thereof,219 relative to any project or any property which such departments or agencies of the State220 of Georgia have now or may hereafter obtain by lease from the U nited States221 government, or any agencies or departments thereof, and the aut hority is specifically222 authorized to convey title in fee simple to any and all of its lands and any improvements223 thereon to any persons, firms, corporations, or municipalities or to the State of Georgia224 or to the United States government, or any agencies or departments thereof, subject to the225 rights and interest of the holders of any of the bonds or obligations issued pursuant to this226 S. B. 567 - 9 - 26 LC 62 0408 Act and by the resolution or trust indenture of the authority authorizing the issuance of227 any of its bonds or obligations as provided in this Act, provided that such conveyance is228 not prohibited by the deed of such property to the authority or otherwise prohibited by229 other contract of the authority;230 (11) To construct, erect, acquire, own, repair, remodel, renovate, rehabilitate, maintain,231 add to, extend, improve, equip, operate, and manage projects as defined in this Act, on232 land owned or leased by the authority or on land owned or leased by others, and to pay233 all or part of the cost of any such project from the proceeds o f revenue bonds or234 obligations or other funds of the authority or from such proceeds or other funds or any235 contributions or grants from any person, firm, or corporation o r from the federal236 government, or any political subdivision thereof, the State of Georgia, or any political237 subdivision thereof, or any agency or instrumentality of any of the foregoing, all of which238 the authority is authorized to receive, accept, and use;239 (12) To accept and administer gifts, devises and grants of money, materials, or property240 of any kind and to administer trusts;241 (13) To borrow money for any of its corporate purposes and to execute and deliver notes,242 revenue bonds, and other evidences of such indebtedness and to use the proceeds thereof243 to pay all or any part of the cost of any project or refunding any outstanding indebtedness244 of the authority or to pay any other cost or expense of the aut hority incident to or245 necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Act;246 (14) As security for the repayment of any indebtedness or othe r obligations of the247 authority, to pledge, mortgage, convey, assign, hypothecate, or otherwise encumber any248 property, real or personal, of the authority and any income or revenues generated249 therefrom or otherwise, and to execute any trust agreement, ind enture, security deed,250 mortgage, or security agreement containing any provisions not i n conflict with law,251 provided that such trust agreement, indenture, security deed, m ortgage, or security252 agreement, is not prohibited by the deed of such property to th e authority or otherwise253 S. B. 567 - 10 - 26 LC 62 0408 prohibited by other contract of the authority, which trust agreement, indenture, security254 deed, mortgage, or security agreement may provide for judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure255 or forced sale of any property of the authority upon default on such obligations, either in256 payment of any amount due and owing thereunder, or in the performance or satisfaction257 of any term or condition, as are contained in such trust agreem ent, indenture, security258 deed, mortgage or security agreement. The State of Georgia, on behalf of itself and each259 county, municipal corporation, political subdivision, or taxing district therein, waives any260 right which it or such county, municipal corporation, political subdivision, or taxing261 district may have to prevent the foreclosure or forced sale of any property of the authority262 so mortgaged or encumbered, and any such mortgage or encumbrance may be foreclosed263 in accordance with law and the terms thereof;264 (15) To exercise any power usually possessed by private corporations performing similar265 functions which is not in conflict with the Constitution or laws of this state;266 (16) To do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers expressly given in267 this Act; and 268 (17) To extend credit or make loans to any governmental body i ncluding, without269 limitation, Schley County or any municipal corporation located therein for the planning,270 design, construction, acquisition, or carrying out of any proje ct, which credit or loans271 may be secured by loan agreements, mortgages, security deeds, s ecurity agreements,272 contracts, and any other instruments, fees, or charges, and upo n such terms and273 conditions, as the authority shall determine to be reasonable i n connection with such274 loans.275 (b) The authority is specifically authorized from time to time to sell, lease, grant, exchange,276 transfer, assign, or otherwise dispose of any surplus property, both real and personal, or any277 interest therein, that the authority determines is no longer ne cessary or desirable in278 connection with its operation or purposes, provided that such s ale, lease, grant, exchange,279 S. B. 567 - 11 - 26 LC 62 0408 transfer, assignment, or other disposition is not prohibited by the deed of such property to the280 authority or otherwise prohibited by other contract of the authority.281 (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act to the contrary, the authority shall not282 have the authority to construct, improve, or maintain any road or street on behalf of, pursuant283 to a contract with, or through the use of taxes or other revenues of any county or municipal284 corporation to the extent such is prohibited under subparagraph (e) of Paragraph V of Section285 VI of Article III of the Constitution of the State of Georgia.286 SECTION 5.287 The authority, or any other authority or body which has or which may in the future succeed288 to the powers, duties, and liabilities vested in the authority created by this Act, shall have the289 power and is authorized at any time, or from time to time, to p rovide by resolution for the290 issuance of negotiable revenue bonds or other notes, bond antic ipation notes, or other291 evidences of indebtedness for the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of any one or292 more projects or refunding any outstanding obligations of the authority. Such bonds or other293 debt instruments shall be dated and shall bear interest at such rate or rates, shall be payable294 on such dates, and shall otherwise have such terms and conditions as shall be determined by295 the authority. All revenue bonds shall be issued pursuant to and in conformity with Article 3296 of Chapter 82 of Title 36 of the O.C.G.A., the "Revenue Bond La w," and all procedures297 pertaining to such issuance and the conditions thereof shall be the same as those contained298 in the Revenue Bond Law and any amendments thereto.299 SECTION 6.300 All revenue bonds and other debt instruments issued by the authority under the provisions301 of this Act are declared to be issued for an essential public and governmental purpose, and302 such bonds and other debt instruments, and the income thereof, shall be exempt from all303 taxation by the state.304 S. B. 567 - 12 - 26 LC 62 0408 SECTION 7.305 Any revenue bonds or other debt instruments issued under the provisions of this Act shall not306 be deemed to constitute a debt of the State of Georgia, Schley County, or any municipality307 within Schley County or a pledge of the faith and credit thereof; provided, however, that such308 debt shall be payable solely from the rentals, revenues, earnings, and funds of the authority309 as provided in the resolution or contract authorizing the issuance and securing the payment310 of such bonds or other instruments. The issuance of such reven ue bonds or other debt311 instruments shall not directly, indirectly, or contingently obl igate the state or any political312 subdivision thereof, including Schley County and the municipalities within Schley County,313 to levy or to pledge any form of taxation whatsoever therefor or to make any appropriation314 for their payment, and all such bonds or other debt instruments shall contain recitals on their315 face covering substantially the foregoing provisions of this se ction. However, Schley316 County, the municipalities within Schley County, or any other p olitical subdivision of the317 State of Georgia contracting with the authority may obligate it self to pay the amounts318 required under any contract entered into with the authority from funds received from taxes319 to be levied and collected for that purpose to the extent neces sary to pay the obligations320 contractually incurred under this section and from any other source. The obligation to make321 such payments shall constitute a general obligation and a pledge of the full faith and credit322 of the obligor but shall not constitute a debt of the obligor within the meaning of Paragraph I323 of Section V of Article IX of the Constitution of the State of Georgia. When under any such324 contract payments are obligated to be made from taxes to be levied for that purpose, then the325 obligation to levy and collect such taxes from year to year in an amount sufficient to fulfill326 and fully comply with the terms of such contract shall be mandatory.327 SECTION 8.328 The exercise of the powers conferred upon the authority in this Act shall constitute an329 essential governmental function for a public purpose, and the authority shall be required to330 S. B. 567 - 13 - 26 LC 62 0408 pay no taxes or assessments upon any of the property acquired by it or under its jurisdiction,331 control, possession, or supervision, or upon its activities in the operation and maintenance332 of property acquired by it or of buildings erected or acquired by it or any fees, rentals, or333 other charges for the use of such property or buildings or othe r income received by the334 authority. The tax exemption provided in this Act shall not include an exemption from sales335 and use tax on property purchased by or for the use of the authority.336 SECTION 9.337 The authority shall have the same immunity and exemption from l iability for torts and338 negligence as the State of Georgia, and the officers, agents, and employees of the authority,339 when in performance of the work of the authority, shall have th e same immunity from340 liability for torts and negligence as officers, agents, and employees of the State of Georgia. 341 The authority may be sued the same as private corporations on any contractual obligation of342 the authority. The property of the authority shall not be subject to levy and sale under legal343 process, except as may be contractually authorized by the authority.344 SECTION 10.345 Any action to protect or enforce any rights under the provision s of this Act or any suit or346 action against such authority shall be brought in the Superior Court of Schley County.347 SECTION 11.348 All funds received pursuant to this Act, whether as proceeds from the sale of revenue bonds349 or other debt instruments or obligations, or as loans, revenue, rents, fees, charges, or other350 earnings, or as grants, gifts, or other contributions, shall be deemed to be trust funds to be351 held and applied by the authority solely as provided in this Act.352 S. B. 567 - 14 - 26 LC 62 0408 SECTION 12.353 (a) The authority shall be funded by the governing authority of Schley County and by the354 governing authority of the City of Ellaville pursuant to the te rms and provisions of an355 intergovernmental agreement entered into between the governing authorities and the356 authority which shall address the management, operations, fundi ng, personnel, real and357 personal property, and other matters deemed necessary or approp riate to conduct the358 authority's day-to-day functions and activities.359 (b) The authority shall develop a budget and a financial and p rogram work plan for both360 capital and operational requirements for the authority's activities for each fiscal year. The361 authority's fiscal year shall commence July 1 of each calendar year and end June 30 of each362 succeeding calendar year. Such plan shall be known as the "Annual Operating and Capital363 Budget of the Ellaville-Schley County Parks and Recreation Authority." The budget and plan364 shall be adopted on or before December 31 of each year, with an effective date of January 1. 365 All projected revenues and estimated expenditures shall be clearly outlined as to source and366 expenditure classification and purpose. The authority shall balance its budget at the end of367 each fiscal year.368 (c) Each year the authority shall have made an independent aud it and examination of the369 authority's financial records and transactions. Said audit shall be made in accordance with370 established national audit and accounting standards. Copies of said audit shall be available371 for public review.372 (d) The authority may contract for legal, financial, and auditing services.373 SECTION 13.374 The authority is authorized to appoint, select, and employ offi cers, agents, and employees375 to adopt rules regulations governing their services, fix their respective compensations and376 terms of employment, and to contract with other entities for th e provision of personnel377 employed by such other entities to be provided on behalf of the authority, provided that such378 S. B. 567 - 15 - 26 LC 62 0408 personnel shall be subject to all rules and regulations of the authority governing the services379 and compensation of employees of the authority.380 SECTION 14.381 This Act and any other law enacted with reference to the author ity shall be liberally382 construed for the accomplishment of the purposes of the authority.383 SECTION 15.384 When the authority for any reason is dissolved after full payment of all indebtedness incurred385 under the provisions of this Act, both as to principal and interest, title to any property held386 by the authority shall be conveyed prior to such dissolution in accordance with provisions387 which may be made therefor in any deed of such property to the authority, including any388 deed or other conveyance document by which such property was conveyed to the authority389 by Schley County or any city located therein, or title to all property of any kind and nature,390 real and personal, held by the authority at the time of such dissolution, shall be conveyed to391 Schley County and the City of Ellaville, subject to any liens, leases, or any other392 encumbrances that are outstanding against or in respect to said property at the time of said393 conveyance as required by a then-existing intergovernmental agr eement regarding the394 authority to which the governing authority of Schley and the governing authority of the City395 of Ellaville are parties.396 SECTION 16.397 The authority shall become active on July 1, 2026. The authori ty shall begin providing398 recreational services no later than January 1, 2027.399 SECTION 17.400 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.401 S. B. 567 - 16 -