The board of park commissioners heretofore created and now existing shall be continued. As authorized under the provisions of chapter ninety-one, acts of the legislature, regular session, one thousand nine hundred thirty-nine, as amended, the city council shall by ordinance provide that the board shall consist of five members, and shall also provide that the members shall be appointed by the council. Of the four members first appointed after the membership has been increased from three to five, two shall be appointed for terms of two years and two for terms of six years. Thereafter all appointments shall be for terms of six years. The members of the board in office on the date this charter becomes effective shall, unless sooner removed, continue to serve until their respective terms expire and their successors have been appointed.
The board shall have the powers and shall perform the duties conferred and required by general law. More particularly, the board shall be charged with the responsibility of providing public parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, swimming pools and other recreational facilities, and of providing an adequate recreational program for the inhabitants of the city. The board shall appoint a superintendent of parks and recreation, who shall be a person of proved executive and administrative ability, with experience or professional training in physical education and community recreation. At the time of his appointment he need not be a resident of the city or state, but during his tenure of office shall reside in Harrison County.
The council shall provide and allocate in the annual city budget sufficient funds for the operation and maintenance of an adequate system of city parks and recreational facilities and of an adequate recreational program.
As provided by law, the board may in its own name accept and disburse any funds it may receive by gift, bequest or devise for park or recreational purposes.