MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2014 Regular Session
To: Municipalities
By: Representative Barker
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 21-19-61, 21-17-9, 21-19-25, 21-17-17, 21-19-13, 21-19-11, 21-39-3, 21-19-20, 21-1-15, 21-17-19, 17-25-25, 21-41-5 AND 21-41-51, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE A MUNICIPALITY TO PROVIDE REQUIRED NOTICES TO CITIZENS OF ITS MUNICIPALITY BY POSTING SUCH INFORMATION ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE MUNICIPALITY AND BY PROVIDING THE INFORMATION ON TWO OTHER FORMS OF SOCIAL MEDIA; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 21-19-61, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
21-19-61. Any municipality in this state which has a population in excess of one hundred thousand (100,000) people may set aside, appropriate and expend monies for the purpose of advertising and bringing to the attention of the citizens of such municipality the reasons for and status of any municipal activity, litigation, franchise, proposed bond issue, and any other municipal matter about which it is for the best interest of the people that they be fully informed.
Such advertising and publicizing may be done by newspaper, magazine, radio, television, or by any combination of same, or by posting such information on the official website of the municipality and by providing the information on two (2) other forms of social media, which in the judgment of the governing body of such municipality will be helpful toward advancing the moral, financial and other interests of such municipality. For purposes of this section, the phrase "social media" means forms of electronic communication, such as websites for social networking and microblogging, through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content.
SECTION 2. Section 21-17-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
21-17-9. When a
municipality now existing, which has not adopted the code charter or commission
form of government, but is governed by another charter, shall desire to amend
its charter, the same may be done in this way: the mayor and board of
aldermen, city council, or municipal authority, by whatever name known, may
prepare, in writing, the desired amendment or amendments and have the same
published for three (3) weeks in a legal newspaper published in the municipality,
if there be one, * * * or then by posting for said time in at least three
(3) public places therein, or by posting such information on the official
website of the municipality and by providing the information on two (2) other
forms of social media, after which the proposed amendment or amendments
shall be submitted to the Governor, who shall submit the same to the Attorney
General for his opinion. For purposes of this section, the phrase
"social media" means forms of electronic
communication, such as websites for social networking and microblogging,
through which users create online communities to share information, ideas,
personal messages, and other content. The
publication of the amendment or amendments may be made as provided in Section
21-17-19. If the Attorney General is of the opinion that the proposed
amendment or amendments are consistent with the Constitution and laws of the
United States and the Constitution of this state, the Governor shall approve
the proposed amendment or amendments. If, after publication is made, one-tenth
(1/10) of the qualified electors of the municipality shall protest against the
proposed amendments, or any of them, the Governor shall not approve the ones
protested against until they shall be submitted to and ratified by a majority
of the electors of the municipality voting in a special election. Amendments,
when approved by the Governor, shall be recorded, at the expense of the
municipality, in the office of the Secretary of State and upon the records of
the mayor and board of aldermen, or other governing authorities of the
municipality, and when so recorded shall have the force and effect of law. No
amendment to the private or special charter of any municipality shall be
adopted or approved when such amendment is in conflict with any of the
provisions of this title expressly made applicable to municipalities operating
under a private or special charter, or is in conflict with the provisions of
any other legislation expressly made applicable to any such municipality.
SECTION 3. Section 21-19-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
21-19-25. Any municipality within the State of Mississippi may, in the discretion of its governing authority, adopt building codes, plumbing codes, electrical codes, gas codes, sanitary codes, or any other codes dealing with general public health, safety or welfare, or a combination of the same, by ordinance, in the manner prescribed in this section. Before any such code shall be adopted, it shall be either printed or typewritten, and it shall be presented in pamphlet form to the governing authority of the municipality at a regular meeting. The ordinance adopting the code shall not set out the code in full, but shall merely identify the same. The vote on passage of the ordinance shall be the same as on any other ordinances. After its adoption, the code shall be certified to by the mayor and clerk of the municipality, and shall be filed as a permanent record in the office of the clerk, who shall not be required to transcribe and record the same in the ordinance book as other ordinances. It shall not be necessary that the ordinance adopting the code or the code itself be published in full, but notice of the adoption of the code shall be given by publication in some newspaper of the municipality for one (1) time, or if there be no such newspaper, by posting at three (3) or more public places within the corporate limits, or by posting such information on the official website of the municipality and by providing the information on two (2) other forms of social media, a notice in substantially the following form:
Notice is given that the city (or town or village) of _________, on the (give date of ordinance adopting code), adopted (state type of code and other information serving to identify the same) code.
If the governing authority of any municipality adopts or has adopted construction codes which do not have proper provisions to maintain up-to-date amendments, specifications in such codes for cements used in portland cement concrete shall be superseded by nationally recognized specifications referenced in any code adopted by the Mississippi Building Code Council. For purposes of this section, the phrase "social media" means forms of electronic communication, such as websites for social networking and microblogging, through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content.
All the provisions of this section shall apply to amendments and revisions of the code mentioned in this section. Any code adopted in accordance with this section shall not be in force for one (1) month after its passage, unless the municipal authorities in the ordinance authorize to the contrary. The provisions of this section shall be in addition and supplemental to any existing laws authorizing the adoption, amendment or revision of municipal ordinances or codes.
Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, any code adopted by a municipality before or after April 12, 2001, is subject to the provisions of Section 41-26-14(10).
Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, the governing authorities of each municipality in Jackson, Harrison, Hancock, Stone and Pearl River Counties shall enforce the requirements imposed under Section 17-2-1 as provided in such section.
The provisions of this section shall apply to all municipalities of this state, whether operating under the code charter, a special charter, commission form, or other form of government.
SECTION 4. Section 21-17-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
21-17-17. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 21-3-19, 21-5-13, 21-7-9 and 21-9-39, Mississippi Code of 1972, the governing authorities of any municipality may by ordinance duly adopted change the day of the week set by the appropriate section hereinabove as their regular monthly or bimonthly meeting date. Before the adoption of any such ordinance, the ordinance shall first be published once a week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper published in or having general circulation within the municipality, or by posting such information on the official website of the municipality and by providing the information on two (2) other forms of social media. Once such regular meeting day has been changed, meetings shall be held as otherwise provided by law. For purposes of this section, the phrase "social media" means forms of electronic communication, such as websites for social networking and microblogging, through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content.
SECTION 5. Section 21-19-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
21-19-13. (1) The governing authorities of municipalities shall have the power to establish, alter and change the channels of streams or other water courses, and to bridge the same, whenever so to do will promote the health, comfort and convenience of the inhabitants of such municipality.
(2) The governing authorities of any municipality shall also have the power and authority to incur costs and pay necessary expenses in providing labor, materials and supplies to clean or clear drainage ditches, creeks or channels, whether on public or private property, and to incur costs and pay necessary expenses in providing labor, materials and supplies in order to prevent erosion where such erosion has been caused or will be caused by such drainage ditches, creeks or channels. This paragraph shall not impose any obligation or duty upon the municipality and shall not create any additional rights for the benefit of any owner of public or private property.
(3) No additional taxes
shall be imposed for the works authorized under subsections (1) and (2) of this
section until the governing authorities shall adopt a resolution declaring its
intention to levy the taxes and establishing the amount of the tax levies and
the date on which the taxes initially will be levied and collected. This date
shall be the first day of a month but not earlier than the first day of the
second month from the date of adoption of the resolution. Notice of the
proposed tax levies * * * may
be published once each week for at least three (3) weeks in a newspaper having
a general circulation in the municipality or by posting such information on
the official website of the municipality and by providing the information on
two (2) other forms of social media. For purposes of this section, the phrase
"social media" means forms of electronic
communication, such as websites for social networking and microblogging,
through which users create online communities to share information, ideas,
personal messages, and other content. The first publication of the
notice shall be made not less than twenty-one (21) days before the date fixed
in the resolution on which the governing authorities propose to levy the taxes,
and the last publication of the notice shall be made not more than seven (7)
days before that date. If, within the time of giving notice, fifteen percent
(15%) or two thousand five hundred (2,500), whichever is less, of the qualified
electors of the municipality file a written petition against the levy of the
taxes, then the taxes shall not be levied unless authorized by three-fifths
(3/5) of the qualified electors of the municipality voting at an election to be
called and held for that purpose.
SECTION 6. Section 21-19-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
21-19-11. (1) To determine whether property or parcel of land located within a municipality is in such a state of uncleanliness as to be a menace to the public health, safety and welfare of the community, a governing authority of any municipality shall conduct a hearing, on its own motion, or upon the receipt of a petition signed by a majority of the residents residing within four hundred (400) feet of any property or parcel of land alleged to be in need of the cleaning. Notice shall be provided to the property owner by:
(a) United States mail two (2) weeks before the date of the hearing mailed to the address of the subject property and to the address where the ad valorem tax notice for such property is sent by the office charged with collecting ad valorem tax; and
(b) Posting notice for
at least two (2) weeks before the date of a hearing on the property or parcel
of land alleged to be in need of cleaning and at city hall or another place in
the municipality where such notices are posted * * *; or
(c) Posting such information on the official website of the municipality and by providing the information on two (2) other forms of social media. For purposes of this section, the phrase "social media" means forms of electronic communication, such as websites for social networking and microblogging, through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content.
Any notice required by this section shall include language that informs the property owner that an adjudication at the hearing that the property or parcel of land is in need of cleaning will authorize the municipality to reenter the property or parcel of land for a period of one (1) year after the hearing without any further hearing if notice is posted on the property or parcel of land and at city hall or another place in the municipality where such notices are generally posted at least seven (7) days before the property or parcel of land is reentered for cleaning. A copy of the required notice mailed and posted as required by this section shall be recorded in the minutes of the governing authority in conjunction with the hearing required by this section.
If, at such hearing, the governing authority shall adjudicate the property or parcel of land in its then condition to be a menace to the public health, safety and welfare of the community, the governing authority, if the owner does not do so himself, shall proceed to clean the land, by the use of municipal employees or by contract, by cutting grass and weeds; filling cisterns; removing rubbish, dilapidated fences, outside toilets, dilapidated buildings, personal property, which removal of personal property shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 21-39-21, and other debris; and draining cesspools and standing water therefrom. The governing authority may by resolution adjudicate the actual cost of cleaning the property and may also impose a penalty not to exceed One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) or fifty percent (50%) of the actual cost, whichever is more. The cost and any penalty may become a civil debt against the property owner, or, at the option of the governing authority, an assessment against the property. The "cost assessed against the property" means either the cost to the municipality of using its own employees to do the work or the cost to the municipality of any contract executed by the municipality to have the work done, and administrative costs and legal costs of the municipality. For subsequent cleaning within the one-year period after the date of the hearing at which the property or parcel of land was adjudicated in need of cleaning, upon seven (7) days' notice posted both on the property or parcel of land adjudicated in need of cleaning and at city hall or another place in the municipality where such notices are generally posted, and consistent with the municipality's adjudication as authorized in this subsection (1), a municipality may reenter the property or parcel of land to maintain cleanliness without further notice or hearing no more than six (6) times in any twelve-month period with respect to removing dilapidated buildings, dilapidated fences and outside toilets, and no more than twelve (12) times in any twenty-four-month period with respect to cutting grass and weeds and removing rubbish, personal property and other debris on the land, and the expense of cleaning of the property shall not exceed an aggregate amount of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) per year, or the fair market value of the property subsequent to cleaning, whichever is less. The governing authority may assess the same penalty for each time the property or land is cleaned as otherwise provided in this section. The penalty provided herein shall not be assessed against the State of Mississippi upon request for reimbursement under Section 29-1-145, nor shall a municipality clean a parcel owned by the State of Mississippi without first giving notice.
(2) If the governing authority declares, by resolution, that the cost and any penalty shall be collected as a civil debt, the governing authority may authorize the institution of a suit on open account against the owner of the property in a court of competent jurisdiction in the manner provided by law for the cost and any penalty, plus court costs, reasonable attorney's fees and interest from the date that the property was cleaned.
(3) (a) If the governing authority does not declare that the cost and any penalty shall be collected as a civil debt, then the assessment above provided for shall be a lien against the property and may be enrolled in the office of the circuit clerk of the county as other judgments are enrolled, and the tax collector of the municipality shall, upon order of the board of governing authorities, proceed to sell the land to satisfy the lien as now provided by law for the sale of lands for delinquent municipal taxes.
(b) (i) All assessments levied under the provisions of this section shall be included with municipal ad valorem taxes and payment shall be enforced in the same manner in which payment is enforced for municipal ad valorem taxes, and all statutes regulating the collection of other taxes in a municipality shall apply to the enforcement and collection of the assessments levied under the provisions of this section, including utilization of the procedures authorized under Sections 17-13-9(2) and 27-41-2.
(ii) All assessments levied under the provisions of this section shall become delinquent at the same time municipal ad valorem taxes become delinquent. Delinquencies shall be collected in the same manner and at the same time delinquent ad valorem taxes are collected and shall bear the same penalties as those provided for delinquent taxes. If the property is sold for the nonpayment of an assessment under this section, it shall be sold in the manner that property is sold for the nonpayment of delinquent ad valorem taxes. If the property is sold for delinquent ad valorem taxes, the assessment under this section shall be added to the delinquent tax and collected at the same time and in the same manner.
(4) All decisions rendered under the provisions of this section may be appealed in the same manner as other appeals from municipal boards or courts are taken.
(5) Nothing contained under this section shall prevent any municipality from enacting criminal penalties for failure to maintain property so as not to constitute a menace to public health, safety and welfare.
SECTION 7. Section 21-39-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
21-39-3. In municipalities in which there is more than one (1) newspaper qualified to publish legal notices, the governing authorities of such municipality shall enter into a contract for the publication of its proceedings, ordinances, resolutions, and other notices required to be published only after inviting competitive bids from such newspapers. Such contracts shall be let to the lowest bidder among them for a period of not more than twelve (12) months from the date of such contract. It shall not be necessary, however, that the governing authorities of such municipality advertise its intention to accept such competitive bids but it shall be sufficient if notice thereof in writing be given to all of such newspapers by mail or delivery at least five (5) days prior to the date on which said bids will be received, or by posting such information on the official website of the municipality and by providing the information on two (2) other forms of social media which said notice shall specify the date on which such bids will be received. For purposes of this section, the phrase "social media" means forms of electronic communication, such as websites for social networking and microblogging, through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content.
SECTION 8. Section 21-19-20, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
21-19-20. (1) (a) A municipality shall institute proceedings to have demolished or seized an abandoned house or building that is used for the sale or use of drugs. In addition, the governing authorities of a municipality may sell, transfer or otherwise convey or use an abandoned house or building for suitable municipal purposes. The local law enforcement authority of the municipality shall have documented proof of drug sales or use in the abandoned property before a municipality may initiate proceedings to have the property demolished or seized.
(b) (i) A municipality shall institute proceedings under this section to have an abandoned house or building demolished or seized if the governing authority of the municipality determines that the house or building is a menace to the public health and safety of the community and that it constitutes a public hazard and nuisance.
(ii) Upon the receipt of a petition requesting the municipality to demolish or seize an abandoned house or building that constitutes a public hazard and nuisance signed by a majority of the residents residing within four hundred (400) feet of the property, the governing authority of the municipality shall notify the property owner that the petition has been filed and that a date for a hearing on the petition has been set. Notice to the property owner shall be by United States mail, or if the property owner or the owner's address is unknown, publication of the notice shall be made twice each week during two (2) successive weeks in a public newspaper of the county in which the municipality is located; where there is no newspaper in the county, the notice shall be published in a newspaper having a general circulation in the state, or by posting such information on the official website of the municipality and by providing the information on two (2) other forms of social media. For purposes of this section, the phrase "social media" means forms of electronic communication, such as websites for social networking and microblogging, through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content. The hearing shall be held not less than thirty (30) nor more than sixty (60) days after service or completion of publication of the notice. At the hearing, the governing authority shall determine whether the property is a menace to the public health and safety of the community which constitutes a public hazard and nuisance. If the governing authority determines that the property is a public hazard and nuisance, the municipality shall institute proceedings under subsection (2) of this section to demolish or seize the abandoned house or building.
(2) The municipality shall file a petition to declare the abandoned property a public hazard and nuisance and to have the property demolished or seized with the circuit clerk of the county in which the property or some part of the property is located. All of the owners of the property involved, and any mortgagee, trustee, or other person having any interest in or lien on the property shall be made defendants to the proceedings. The circuit clerk shall present the petition to the circuit judge who, by written order directed to the circuit clerk, shall fix the time and place for the hearing of the matter in termtime or vacation. The time of the hearing shall be fixed on a date to allow sufficient time for each defendant named to be served with process, as otherwise provided by law, not less than thirty (30) days before the hearing. If a defendant or other party in interest is not served for the specified time before the date fixed, the hearing shall be continued to a day certain to allow the thirty-day period specified.
(3) Any cost incurred by a municipality under this section for demolishing or seizing abandoned property shall be paid by the owners of the property.
SECTION 9. Section 21-1-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
21-1-15. After the filing of said petition, and upon request therefor by the petitioners, the chancellor shall set a day certain, either in termtime or in vacation, for the hearing of such petition and notice shall be given to all persons interested in, affected by, or having objections to the proposed incorporation, that the hearing on the petition will be held on the day fixed by the chancellor and that all such persons will have the right to appear and enter their objections, if any, to the proposed incorporation. The said notice shall be given by publication thereof in some newspaper published or having a general circulation in the territory proposed to be incorporated once each week for three (3) consecutive weeks, and by posting a copy of such notice in three (3) or more public places in such territory or by posting such information on the official website of the municipality and by providing the information on two (2) other forms of social media. For purposes of this section, the phrase "social media" means forms of electronic communication, such as websites for social networking and microblogging, through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content. The first publication of such notice and the posted notice shall be made at least thirty (30) days prior to the day fixed for the hearing of said petition, and such notice shall contain a full description of the territory proposed to be incorporated. However, if any of the territory proposed to be incorporated is located within three (3) miles of the boundaries of an existing municipality, then such existing municipality shall be made a party defendant to such petition and shall be served with process in the manner provided by law, which process shall be served at least thirty (30) days prior to the date set for the hearing.
SECTION 10. Section 21-17-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
21-17-19. (1) Whenever a municipality is required by law to publish in a newspaper any public measure or amendment thereto, the substance of the public measure or amendment thereto may be printed in lieu of the full text of the public measure or amendment thereto, as provided in this section. Such a public measure shall include, but shall not be limited to, an ordinance, resolution, amendment to a municipal charter or annual audit. The provisions of this section shall not apply to publication of the annual budget or amendments thereto; such publication shall be made as provided in Chapter 35, Title 21, Mississippi Code of 1972.
(2) The substance of the public measure or amendment thereto shall be an explanatory statement summarizing the full text of the public measure or amendment thereto, in which the chief purpose of the measure is explained in clear and unambiguous language. Such statement shall be prepared by the governing authorities of the municipality, and shall not exceed three hundred (300) words in length to the extent practicable.
(3) During the entire time of the publication of the explanatory statement in a newspaper, a copy of the full text of the public measure or amendment thereto shall be posted by the clerk of the municipality (a) at the city hall, (b) at the main public library in the municipality, or at the courthouse in the judicial district or county in which the municipality is located; and in addition, the clerk shall post such copy at least at one (1) other public place in the municipality, or by posting such information on the official website of the municipality and by providing the information on two (2) other forms of social media. For purposes of this section, the phrase "social media" means forms of electronic communication, such as websites for social networking and microblogging, through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content. The clerk shall furnish any resident of the municipality a copy of the full text of the public measure or amendment thereto upon request, and this shall be stated in the publication of the explanatory statement.
SECTION 11. Section 17-25-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
17-25-25. (1) General. The governing authority of a county or municipality may sell or dispose of any personal property or real property belonging to the governing authority when the property has ceased to be used for public purposes or when, in the authority's judgment, a sale thereof would promote the best interest of the governing authority. For purposes of this section, the term "personal property," includes, but is not limited to, equipment, vehicles, fixtures, furniture, firearms and commodities.
(2) Public sale. At least ten (10) days before bid opening, the governing authority shall advertise its acceptance of bids by posting notices at three (3) public places located in the county or municipality that the governing authority serves. One (1) of the three (3) notices shall be posted at the governing authority's main office or by posting such information on the official website of the municipality and by providing the information on two (2) other forms of social media. For purposes of this section, the phrase "social media" means forms of electronic communication, such as websites for social networking and microblogging, through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content. The governing authority may designate the manner by which the bids will be received, including, but not limited to, bids sealed in an envelope, bids made electronically or bids made by any other method that promotes open competition. The proceeds of the sale shall be placed in a properly approved depository to the credit of the proper fund.
(3) Private sale. Where the personal property does not exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) in value, the governing authority, by a unanimous approval of its members, may sell or dispose of the property at a private sale. The proceeds of the sale shall be placed in a properly approved depository to the credit of the proper fund.
(4) Public auction. The governing authority of a county or municipality may sell or dispose of any surplus personal or real property at a public auction that shall be conducted by an auctioneer or auction company that meets the standards established by the State Department of Audit and is hired by the governing authority of a county or municipality.
(5) If the governing authority finds that the fair market value of the personal property or real property is zero and this finding is entered on the minutes of the authority, then the governing authority may dispose of such property in the manner it deems appropriate and in its best interest, but no official or employee of the governing authority shall derive any personal economic benefit from such disposal.
(6) If the property may be of use or benefit to any federal agency or authority, another governing authority or state agency of the State of Mississippi, or a state agency or governing authority of another state, it may be disposed of in accordance with Section 31-7-13(m)(vi).
(7) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prohibit, restrict or to prescribe conditions with regard to the authority granted under Section 17-25-3.
SECTION 12. Section 21-41-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
21-41-5. When the governing authorities of any municipality shall determine to make any local or special improvement, the cost of which or any part thereof is to be assessed against the property benefited, they shall adopt a resolution declaring necessary the proposed improvement describing the nature and extent of the work, the general character of the material to be used, and the location and terminal points of the streets, highways, boulevards, avenues, squares, alleys or parks, or parts thereof, or clearly define the boundary of areas in which said improvements are to be made. In publishing said resolution declaring the work necessary, the plans and specifications of said work need not be published but may be referred to as being on file in the office of the city clerk or city engineer. The publication of the resolution may be made as provided in Section 21-17-19. Said resolution shall fix a date when the governing authorities of said municipality shall meet, which shall be not less than fifteen (15) days after the date of the first publication of the notice herein provided for, to hear any objections or remonstrances that may be made to said improvements. The notice herein provided for shall be published once each week for three (3) successive publications in a public newspaper having a general circulation in the municipality, and if no newspaper is published therein, it shall be sufficient to post said notice in three (3) public places of the municipality or by posting such information on the official website of the municipality and by providing the information on two (2) other forms of social media, for not less than fifteen (15) days before said meeting, one which shall be posted at the town or city hall of said municipality. Moreover, the clerk of the municipality shall send a copy of the notice, by certified mail, postage prepaid, within five (5) days after the first publication of the notice herein provided for, to the last-known address of owners of property affected by the resolution. However, failure of the clerk to mail such notice or failure of the owner to receive such notice shall not invalidate any proceeding in this chapter, where such notice has been published as provided herein. Notice declaring the work necessary shall be notice to the property owners that the work has been declared necessary.
If the governing authorities of a municipality desire to make any special or local improvement under the Regional Economic Development Act, the governing authorities also shall comply with any requirements provided therein.
SECTION 13. Section 21-41-51, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
21-41-51. Except as may be
otherwise provided, where, by any provision of this chapter, notice is required
to be given by publication, such publication made shall be in a newspaper published
in the municipality, if there be one * * *; or if there be no newspaper published
in the municipality, then such notice shall be posted for the prescribed period
of time in at least five (5) public places in the municipality, one (1)
of which shall be the city or town hall, or the place of meeting of the
governing authorities, if there be no city or town hall * * *; or by posting such information on the
official website of the municipality and by providing the information on two
(2) other forms of social media. For purposes of this section, the phrase
"social media" means forms of electronic
communication, such as websites for social networking and microblogging,
through which users create online communities to share information, ideas,
personal messages, and other content.
SECTION 14. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2014.