§ 36-7-7-7 — Powers and duties

(a) The commission shall institute and maintain
a comprehensive policy planning and programming and coordinative
management process for the region. It shall coordinate its activities
with all units in the region and shall coordinate the planning programs
of all units and the state. Except when a commission exercises powers
under subsection (j), the commission shall act in an advisory capacity
only.
(b) The commission may provide technical assistance to any unit in
the region that requests it. This technical assistance includes the
provision of skills and knowledge for planning, developing,
administering, improving, and securing:
(1) public and private grants-in-aid;
(2) cooperative arrangements between governments; and
(3) the performance of governmental powers and duties.
(c) The commission may divide its jurisdiction into subregions
under section 10 of this chapter for purposes appropriate to the study,
analysis, or coordination of specific problems or concerns. The
commission may conduct all necessary studies for the accomplishment
of its duties. It may publicize and advertise its purposes, objectives, and
findings and may distribute reports on them. It may provide
recommendations when requested to the participating units and to other
public and private agencies in matters relative to its functions and
objectives and may act when requested as a coordinating agency for
programs and activities of such agencies as they relate to its objectives.
The commission may not implement, enter into an agreement for, or
propose a program that includes interstate wastewater management or
disposal.
(d) The commission may adopt by resolution any regional
comprehensive or functional plan, program, or policy as its official
recommendation for the development of the region, subject to the
power of a county to exempt itself under section 9 of this chapter. The
commission shall make an annual report of its activities to the
legislative bodies of the counties and municipalities in the region.
(e) The commission may receive grants from federal, state, or local
governmental entities or from individuals or foundations, and may
enter into agreements or contracts regarding the acceptance or use of
those grants and appropriations for the purpose of carrying out any of
the activities of the commission. A county or municipality may, from
time to time upon the request of the commission, assign or detail to the
commission any employees to make special surveys or studies
requested by the commission.
(f) For the sole purpose of providing adequate public services, the
commission may acquire by grant, gift, purchase, lease, devise, or
otherwise and hold, use, improve, maintain, operate, own, manage, or
lease (as lessor or lessee) such real or personal property as the
commission considers necessary for that purpose. The commission may
apply for, receive, and expend grants, loans, or any other form of
financial assistance available under any federal grant program.
(g) The commission may enter into coordinative arrangements with
any adjacent county or municipality in Indiana or an adjoining state, or
with an overlapping multicounty or interstate planning or development
agency, state agency, or federal agency, as are appropriate to the
achievement of its objectives or to address a common issue. However,
the commission may not delegate any of its powers or duties.
(h) The commission may appoint advisory committees to assist in
the achievement of its objectives. Members of advisory committees are
not entitled to compensation for their services but may be reimbursed
for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
(i) The commission shall act as the designated review agency and
as the clearinghouse as described in federal Office of Management and
Budget Circular A-95.
(j) The commission may provide administrative, management, or
technical services to a unit that requests the services. The unit and the
commission may enter into a contract concerning the commission's
provision of administrative, management, or technical services and the
cost to the unit for the services.
[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations:
18-7-1.1-3(h); 18-7-1.1-5 part; 18-7-1.2-1.]
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.26. Amended by
P.L.145-1992, SEC.1.