90-1-163. Commission duties. (1) A heritage preservation and cultural tourism commission:

(a)may prepare a heritage and cultural tourism promotion and development plan, as provided in 90-1-164, and shall operate according to the provisions of that plan;

(b)must be operated in a manner that allows the county, consolidated government, or municipality to obtain support through grants and other funding assistance available for heritage and cultural tourism promotion and development programs and may solicit, request, and apply for funds;

(c)may own and lease property in its own name and may acquire property through bequest, purchase, lease, or other means except eminent domain;

(d)may hire and supervise staff consistent with the personnel regulations of the county, consolidated government, or municipality;

(e)may solicit, request, and apply for funds in the name of the commission; and

(f)shall identify, record, register, preserve, protect, develop, and promote heritage and cultural tourism resources.

(2)Funds may be budgeted and expended, including by contract, by the heritage preservation and cultural tourism commission in a manner consistent with the laws, rules, and regulations of the county, consolidated government, or municipality.

(3)A heritage preservation and cultural tourism commission shall prepare an annual report describing its activities and file the report with the appropriate county, consolidated government, or municipality.

(4)Upon the dissolution of a heritage preservation and cultural tourism commission, the property of the commission becomes the property of the county, consolidated government, or municipality.