The district, upon ratification as required by Section 55-19-11, is hereby declared to have all the powers which it may deem reasonable, necessary and requisite to establish within the Bienville Recreational District recreational facilities of all types and kinds for the benefit of residents of the area and for nonresident citizens who shall be encouraged and invited to utilize these activities and facilities. Among these powers shall be the power to purchase, sell, exchange, lease, accept, receive or hold title or leasehold interest in real, personal and mixed property from any source whatsoever or to otherwise deal with any such property to the extent reasonably necessary to accomplish the purposes of the district. All such interests shall be received in the name of the State of Mississippi for the use and benefit of the Bienville Recreational District.

Further, the powers shall include the right to contract with the State Highway Department, the board of supervisors of the counties within the district, or any other state or federal agency for the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges. In the exercise of its powers the district may employ administrative, technical, fiscal and professional personnel as may be found necessary to implement the purposes of this chapter with such personnel’s compensation to be established by the Mississippi Personnel Board; to adopt and use a seal; accept grants, gifts and bequests from the United States or any agency or department thereof, or from any other public or private source; establish a bank account or accounts; develop the recreational facilities and activities of the district by letting of public contracts and entering into public contracts; receive and disburse all funds for lawful purposes; make needful rules and regulations within the purposes of this chapter; do any and all other acts or things necessary and requisite to the exercise of the powers, rights, privileges or functions conferred upon the district by this chapter or other general laws of the state; and fix and collect rates and charges to residents and nonresident persons for the use of the district’s cabins, boats, recreational and other related facilities.

It is expressly provided that the board of directors is subject to the general laws of the state to the same extent as any other state board, commission or department, including but not limited to the budget, state department of audit, public purchasing and public construction statutes.