Section 50-8-99.1. Commission authorized to be contracting agent for certain local governments

   (a) For purposes of this Code section, the term "participating affected local government" means the governing body of a political subdivision which is or will be affected by a regional public project and which agrees to authorize the commission to act on its behalf as described in this Code section.

(b) In order to more efficiently coordinate and manage the planning, development, implementation, construction, management, and operation of public projects which are regional, rather than purely local, in nature, the commission is authorized pursuant to this Code section to act as the contracting and coordinating agent for the participating affected local governments.

(c) Upon receiving written approval from each participating affected local government, the commission is authorized to act as the sponsor and coordinator of regional public projects. Upon receipt of such approval, the commission shall be authorized to enter into agreements with third parties as agent on behalf of the participating affected local governments. All agreements with third parties related to the planning, development, implementation, construction, management, or operation of the project shall be between the commission as agent for the participating affected local governments and such third parties. Upon contracting with third parties as the project sponsor, the commission shall then enter into subcontracts with the participating affected local governments in order to allocate appropriately the costs and benefits associated with the project, establish obligations and responsibilities of each of the participating affected local governments in connection therewith, delineate the relationships among the parties, and address any other matters which may be necessary or convenient in order to assure the successful completion and operation of the project.

(d) The commission shall not have the power to tax or to incur long-term indebtedness in connection with its authority under this Code section. The commission may make arrangements for the financing of any project described in this Code section if authorized by the participating affected local governments and if any resulting debt thereby created is authorized pursuant to the laws and Constitution of this state. Any such financing or credit shall be extended directly to the participating affected local governments, which shall assume all responsibility to repay same. No debt as authorized in this subsection shall be incurred in any manner so as to be a responsibility of an affected government unless that affected government's portion of that debt is first approved by a majority of the voters of such affected government voting in an election called by the governing authority of the affected government in the manner provided for calling and holding other special elections if such debt is required to be so approved pursuant to Article IX, Section V of the Constitution.

Code 1981, § 50-8-99.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 1049, § 1; Ga. L. 1987, p. 3, § 50; Ga. L. 1988, p. 13, § 50.