§ 36-6-201 — Authority to lease or otherwise contract

The governing body of any county, city, town or school district
authorized to acquire and hold real property, may, upon
determining that such action will be in the best interests of
such county, city, town or school district, lease any lands
owned in fee by such county, city, town or school district, for
the exploration for and development and production of oil, gas
or other hydrocarbons, and otherwise contract for such
exploration, development and production, upon such terms as such
governing body may determine and as are not inconsistent with
the provisions of this act; providing the exploration for,
development and production of oil, gas or other hydrocarbons
shall in no way interfere with the public use of said lands or
the purpose for which said lands were acquired.