(1) The district shall be authorized and empowered as follows:

(a) To adopt rules or procedures for the regulation of its affairs, to set forth policies and procedures for the conduct of its business, including the number of members sufficient to constitute a quorum, and to appoint, from among its members, a chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary to serve annually; such chairman may be subject to re-election.

(b) To fix the compensation of the members of the governing body of the district, other than elective officers who may be members of such governing body, for their attendance at meetings of such governing body, such compensation not to exceed Twenty-two Dollars and Fifty Cents ($22.50) per meeting, and to allow such members their necessary travel expenses within the limits fixed by law for state employees.

(c) To adopt a seal, and to retain and keep minutes of its meetings in a firmly bound minute book, in which all actions taken by the commission about its business shall be recorded.

(d) To maintain offices at such place or places as it may designate, and meet at regular times at least two times each year. On written request of any two voting members of the district, requesting a special meeting of the governing body of the district, addressed to the office of the executive director, and delivered by first class mail, the executive director shall notify all members by first class mail of the convening of a special meeting of the members at a time not more than ten days from the receipt of such notice, at a place most convenient for such meeting within the district, and for the consideration of the matter giving rise to the convening of such meeting. The members shall only consider the matters touching the convening of such special meeting, and may recess from day to day, or place to place.

(e) To employ and to compensate an executive director who may serve as secretary, and such other personnel, consultants, and technical and professional assistants as shall be necessary to exercise the powers and perform the duties set forth in this chapter.

(f) To make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the execution of its powers under this chapter. The executive director shall be the duly authorized individual to execute contracts on behalf of said district, upon duly and properly entered resolution of said district so authorizing him to enter and execute said contract.

(g) To hold public hearings and sponsor public forums in any part of the region whenever the district deems it necessary or useful in the execution of its functions.

(h) To accept and receive, in the furtherance of its functions, funds, grants and service from the federal government or its agencies, from departments, agencies and instrumentalities of state, municipal or local governments and from private or civil sources.

(i) To receive and expend such sums of money as shall be from time to time appropriated for its use by any county, state or public agency, or other public or private bodies, corporations or persons, and to receive and expend federal funds.

(2) The broad general powers granted the Gulf Regional District in this chapter shall not in any way conflict with the objectives and services of the Southern Mississippi Economic Development District, Inc., or any other public agency.