Title LG, Local Government Code

Sec. 327.054. ELECTION ORDER. (a) An order for an election under Section 327.053 must state: (1) the nature of the election, including the proposition that is to appear on the ballot; (2) the date of the election; (3) the hours during which the polls will be open; (4) the locatio…

Sec. 327.055. CONDUCT OF ELECTION. (a) The county shall hold the election under the Election Code to the extent not inconsistent with this chapter. (b) The ballot for the election shall be printed to permit voting for or against the following summary of the proposition: "Authoriz…

Sec. 327.056. ELECTION RESULTS. (a) Not earlier than the second day or later than the 13th day after the election date, the county shall canvass the election returns. (b) If a majority of the votes cast favor the proposition under Section 327.055, the county may use the ad valore…

Sec. 327.101. BOARD OF DIRECTORS. (a) A zoo board consists of seven directors appointed by the county commissioners court as follows: (1) one director appointed by each member of the county commissioners court; and (2) two directors appointed jointly by the county commissioners c…

Sec. 327.102. VACANCY. A vacancy on the zoo board is filled in the same manner as the original appointment. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1235, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.

Sec. 327.103. OFFICERS. (a) The county commissioners court shall designate the presiding officer for the zoo board to serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the commissioners court. (b) The zoo board shall elect a vice presiding officer, secretary, and treasurer from among its…

Sec. 327.104. MEETINGS. A zoo board shall hold regular meetings at times to be fixed by the zoo board or special meetings as necessary. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1235, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.

Sec. 327.105. COMPENSATION; EXPENSES. (a) A director serves without compensation but may be reimbursed for a reasonable and necessary expense, including a travel expense, incurred in performing an official duty. (b) To receive reimbursement under Subsection (a): (1) the director …

Sec. 327.106. IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY. A director is not liable for civil damages or criminal prosecution for any act performed in good faith in the execution of the director's duties or for any action taken by the zoo board. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1235, Sec. 1, eff. …

Sec. 327.151. GENERAL POWERS. A zoo board may exercise any power necessary or appropriate to further a zoo board purpose, including establishing or operating one or more zoos. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1235, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.

Sec. 327.152. RULES. The zoo board may adopt rules to implement this chapter, including rules to govern the zoo board or manage zoos. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1235, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.

Sec. 327.153. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; RULES. (a) A zoo board may appoint an executive director to manage the zoo board's operations. (b) The zoo board by rule may define the powers, duties, and compensation of the executive director. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1235, Sec. 1, e…

Sec. 327.154. EMPLOYEES; RULES. (a) A zoo board may delegate to the executive director the power to hire and fire persons necessary to carry out the zoo board's duties. (b) The zoo board may adopt rules regarding the powers, duties, qualifications, and compensation of zoo board e…

Sec. 327.155. CONTRACTS--GENERAL; APPROVAL REQUIRED. (a) A zoo board may contract with any person, including a governmental entity, private vendor, or foreign state, for any zoo board purpose, including contracting with the following entities to furnish staff, facilities, equipme…

Sec. 327.156. AGREEMENT TO OPERATE DISTRICT. (a) In selecting a person to operate a zoo under Section 327.155, the zoo board shall consider: (1) the financial capability of the person; (2) the experience and qualifications of the person; and (3) the likelihood that the person wil…

Sec. 327.157. PROPERTY; APPROVAL REQUIRED. A zoo board may acquire and sell property for any zoo board purpose. Before the acquisition or sale, the zoo board must obtain the approval of the county commissioners court. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1235, Sec. 1, eff. June 20,…

Sec. 327.158. PUBLIC PURPOSE OF DONATIONS, AGREEMENTS, OR TRANSFERS WITH OR FROM OTHER POLITICAL ENTITIES; EXCEPTION TO COMPETITIVE BIDDING. (a) A governmental entity, including a municipality, county, special district, or other political subdivision of the state, may sell, lease…

Sec. 327.159. ZOO BOARD RECORDS. (a) A zoo board shall: (1) keep a complete account of each zoo board meeting or other proceeding; and (2) maintain zoo board records in a secure manner. (b) The records are the property of the zoo board. (c) The commissioners court of the county a…

Sec. 327.160. DONATIONS. (a) A zoo board may accept a donation, grant, or other gift from any person for any zoo board purpose. (b) Before accepting a donation, grant, or other gift under this section, the zoo board must obtain the approval of the county commissioners court. Adde…

Sec. 327.161. SUITS; SERVICE OF PROCESS; LEGAL SERVICES. (a) A zoo board may sue and be sued. (b) In a suit against a zoo board, process may be served on a director or registered agent. (c) The county or district attorney may perform any necessary legal services for the zoo board…

Sec. 327.162. SUPERVISION BY COUNTY. (a) The county commissioners court may supervise the zoo board in the exercise of all powers and duties under this chapter, including Subchapter E. (b) The county commissioners court may decide to approve all zoo board budgets or contracts, le…

Sec. 327.163. SEAL. A zoo board shall adopt a seal for the zoo board. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1235, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003. SUBCHAPTER E. GENERAL FISCAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 327.201. GENERAL ZOO BOARD AND COUNTY POWER OVER FUNDS. A zoo board shall manage and control zoo board funds subject to the supervision or approval of the county commissioners court under Section 327.162 and subject to the approval of the county commissioners court of a budg…

Sec. 327.202. ACCOUNTING AND CONTROL PROCEDURES. A zoo board by rule may adopt accounting and control procedures for the zoo board, subject to the supervision of the county commissioners court under Section 327.162. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1235, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2…

Sec. 327.203. PURCHASING AND EXPENDITURE METHOD. A zoo board by rule may prescribe the zoo board's method of making purchases and expenditures. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1235, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.

Sec. 327.204. FISCAL YEAR. (a) A zoo board by rule shall establish the zoo board's fiscal year. (b) The zoo board may not change the fiscal year more than once in a two-year period. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1235, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.

Sec. 327.205. ANNUAL AUDIT REQUIRED. A zoo board shall have an annual audit of the zoo board's financial condition performed by an independent auditor. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1235, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.

Sec. 327.206. ANNUAL BUDGET PROPOSAL. (a) A zoo board shall propose an annual budget. (b) The proposed budget must contain a complete financial statement, including the: (1) outstanding zoo board obligations; (2) amount of cash on hand to the credit of each zoo board fund; (3) am…

Sec. 327.207. ADOPTION OF ANNUAL BUDGET; HEARINGS. (a) Not later than the 100th day before the date each fiscal year begins, the zoo board shall hold a public hearing on the proposed annual budget. (b) The zoo board shall publish notice of the hearing in a newspaper with general …

Sec. 327.208. LIMITATIONS ON EXPENDITURES AND INVESTMENTS. (a) A zoo board may not spend money unless the expense is included in the annual budget. (b) A zoo board may not incur a debt payable from zoo board revenue except for revenue in the current or immediately following fisca…

Sec. 327.209. ACCOUNT OF ZOO BOARD DISBURSEMENTS. Not later than the 60th day after the last day of each fiscal year, a zoo board employee shall prepare for the zoo board a sworn statement showing: (1) the zoo board's funds; and (2) the disbursements of those funds. Added by Acts…

Sec. 327.251. GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS. The county commissioners court may issue and sell bonds to acquire, construct, equip, or enlarge any zoo or zoo-related property, including a zoo board building or other facility. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1235, Sec. 1, eff. June 2…

Sec. 327.252. TAXES TO PAY BONDS. (a) When the county issues bonds under this chapter, the county commissioners court shall impose an ad valorem tax on all property subject to county taxation. (b) The tax amount must be sufficient to create an interest and sinking fund to pay the…

Sec. 327.253. AUTHORITY FOR BOND ELECTION. The county commissioners court may order a bond election on its own motion or on the zoo board's request. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1235, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.

Sec. 327.254. EXECUTION OF BONDS. The county judge shall execute the bonds and the county clerk shall countersign the bonds. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1235, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003. SUBCHAPTER G. TAXES

Sec. 327.301. ANNUAL PROPERTY TAXES. (a) The county annually shall impose a separate ad valorem tax in an amount not to exceed the limit approved by the voters under Subchapter B. (b) The taxes may be used to pay: (1) the bonds issued by: (A) the county under Subchapter F; or (B)…

Sec. 327.302. TAX RATE. In adopting the tax rate, the county may consider the zoo board's income from sources other than taxation. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1235, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003. SUBCHAPTER H. DISSOLUTION

Sec. 327.351. DISSOLUTION BY COUNTY. (a) The county commissioners court may dissolve the zoo board if all zoo board debts and obligations have been discharged. (b) Any property remaining after dissolution is transferred to the county. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1235, Sec.…