§ 5-205. Legislative authority -- General operations of municipalities

   (a) Financial operations. --

   (1) A municipality may provide for the control and management of its finances.

   (2) The municipality may:

      (i) designate the banks or trust companies of the State in which the municipality shall deposit all money belonging to the municipality; and

      (ii) provide for the appointment of an auditor or accountant to audit the books and accounts of municipal officers collecting, handling, or disbursing money belonging to the municipality.

(b) Expenditure for safety, health, and general welfare -- In general. --

   (1) A municipality may spend money for any public purpose and to affect the safety, health, and general welfare of the municipality and its occupants.

   (2) Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, a municipality may not spend money under paragraph (1) of this subsection if the money was not appropriated at the time of the annual levy.

   (3) Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, a municipality may spend money only for the purpose for which the money was appropriated.

   (4) A municipality may spend money for a purpose different from the purpose for which the money was appropriated or spend money not appropriated at the time of the annual levy if approved by a two-thirds vote of all the individuals elected to the legislative body.

(c) Business operations. -- A municipality may provide for:

   (1) the purchase of materials, supplies, and equipment through the Department of General Services;

   (2) municipal advertising;

   (3) printing and publishing statements of its receipts and expenditures; and

   (4) codifying and publishing laws, ordinances, resolutions, and regulations.

(d) Collections. --

   (1) Except as otherwise provided under this article, the Tax - General Article, and the Tax - Property Article, a municipality may establish and collect reasonable fees and charges:

      (i) for franchises, licenses, or permits granted by the municipality; or

      (ii) associated with the exercise of a governmental or proprietary function exercised by a municipality.

   (2) A municipality may provide that any valid charge, tax, or assessment made against real property in the municipality is a lien on the property to be collected in the same manner as municipal taxes.

(e) Agreements with other municipalities. -- A municipality may enter into an agreement with other municipalities for purposes including:

   (1) the joint administration of the municipalities;

   (2) the cooperative procurement of goods and services, including construction services;

   (3) the provision of municipal services; and

   (4) the joint funding and management of any project that is centrally located to the municipalities.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 23A, § 2(b)(1)-(3), (11), (17), (24A), (33), (38); 2013, ch. 119, § 2.