§1935. Powers and duties of board of governors

The board of governors:

(1) May inaugurate, conduct, and carry on the operation of the juvenile detention facility on property owned or leased by the district for that purpose.

(2) May acquire land by donation, purchase or lease for the multiparish juvenile detention home. All purchases of real estate shall be ratified by a majority of the governing authorities of the parishes within the multiparish juvenile detention home district if there is more than one parish in the district or by a majority vote of the parish governing authority if only one parish constitutes the juvenile detention home district. The purchase price shall be paid by the parishes on the basis of assessed valuation and in proportion to the total assessed valuation of the participating parishes. If the purchase price is on terms of credit, the land shall be the only security and the parishes shall not be liable for any part of the unpaid purchase price. The board of governors may remove any buildings or improvements on land acquired by it.

(3) With the approval of the governing authorities of the parishes composing the multiparish juvenile detention home district, may build facilities for housing, recreation, and education of juveniles whenever they deem it advisable; provided however, that no building shall be constructed on any land not fully paid for. For this purpose any of the parish governing authorities may dedicate the proceeds of not in excess of one-half of one mill on the dollar of assessment per year for a period of not more than ten years out of the parish's general alimony tax. The board may issue certificates of indebtedness evidencing the district's obligations resulting from any such dedication. Any such certificates of indebtedness so issued shall be payable annually, with interest payable semiannually, not to exceed the market rate of percent per annum, redeemable on maturity out of any excess revenues that may develop. The governing authority of each participating parish may levy an annual tax not to exceed one-half of one mill for a period not to exceed ten years to assist in financing the construction, operation and maintenance of a juvenile detention home; provided such tax shall be authorized by a vote of a majority, in number, of the taxpayers of such parish who vote at an election held for that purpose.

(4) May incur debt for the purpose of acquiring lands for the multiparish juvenile detention home and for making improvements on the land, for purchasing machinery, tools, equipment or other property for the establishment, maintenance, operation and administration of the juvenile detention home or for the purpose of obtaining funds to pay and extinguish any debt or debts incurred in the acquisition of the lands or the improvement thereof. For such purpose, the board may grant mortgages upon the immovable property of the district, where title thereto is in the public, mortgages upon its movables, or crop pledges and pawns upon any crops of the juvenile detention home; provided however, that when land is purchased on credit terms, the land shall be the only security.

The acts of security shall stipulate that in case of default in payment of any debt secured thereby or any part of a debt, the property securing the debt shall be subject to seizure and sale, with benefit of appraisement, in the same manner as private property subject to encumbrance may be seized and sold, notwithstanding that title of the property securing the debt is vested in the public. No security shall be granted unless approved by the governing authorities of the parishes composing the multiparish juvenile detention district by ordinance or resolution fixing the maximum of the debt to be secured. Neither the board of governors, the governing authorities of the parishes within the multiparish juvenile detention district, nor the multiparish juvenile detention home shall ever be obligated beyond the value of the property offered as security.

(5) Shall fix the salary to be paid the secretary and treasurer of the board of governors and shall fix the amount of bond with legal surety which the treasurer shall give, conditioned on a faithful accounting for all money and property entrusted to his care.

(6) May sell, dispose of or lease any land owned by the multiparish juvenile detention district which for any reason can no longer be used or which is unused or is unnecessary or unsuitable in the operations of the said multiparish juvenile detention home.

(7) The board of governors of said multiparish juvenile detention district may lease its lands upon such terms and conditions as may be most advantageous to the home, but no such lease shall be for a period in excess of five years.

(8) May employ and discharge a superintendent, assistant superintendent, and such other employees and agents as are necessary to operate the juvenile detention facility and may fix their salaries or wages, hours, terms of employment and duties.

(9) May employ teachers and other instructors for the purpose of giving instruction to juveniles while being detained.

(10) May adopt rules and regulations for the operation and maintenance of the home and generally do all things lawfully to provide temporary custodial care, supervision and education of the juveniles.

Added by Acts 1974, No. 700, §1. Amended by Acts 1975, No. 426, §1.