NC H418

Authorizes Buncombe County to establish a Culture and Recreation Authority as a body corporate and politic to manage or operate libraries, parks, greenways, recreation facilities, and cultural organizations.

Authority consists of seven members appointed by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners for three-year terms (with initial staggered terms), with at least one member from the county governing board.

Authority may employ staff, establish rules for facility use, enter contracts, acquire and dispose of property (with county approval), solicit donations and grants, and prepare annual budgets subject to county adoption.

Buncombe County may levy up to 7 cents per $100 property valuation for cultural and recreational purposes and issue general obligation bonds; Authority cannot tax property, exercise eminent domain, or receive state-allocated sales taxes.

County retains fiscal oversight authority, may terminate the Authority by majority vote, and automatically recovers all conveyed property and assets upon termination.