Watts, 020680 MSAGO, 19800206

• Case Date: February 06, 1980
• Court: South Carolina

Honorable Pat H. Watts, Jr. No. 19800206 Mississippi Attorney General Opinions February 6, 1980          Honorable Pat H. Watts, Jr.          WATTS & BILBO          Attorneys at Law          Post Office Drawer 1499          Pascagoula, Mississippi 39567          Loan from Jackson County Port Authority to Jackson County, Airport Authority           Dear Mr. Watts:          Attorney General Bill Allain has received your letter dated January 21, 1980 and has forwarded it to the undersigned for research and reply.          Your letter stated:

“Please be advised that the undersigned is an attorney representing the Jackson County Airport Authority. The Jackson County Airport Authority is desirous of borrowing money from the Jackson County Port Authority for the purpose of purchasing real property for a future airport. “The Jackson County Airport Authority would like an opinion from your office as to whether or not the Jackson County Port Authority can loan money to the Jackson County Airport Authority for the purpose of buying real property, and the construction of the necessary facilities to build an airport. Also, whether or not this money can be borrowed without interest and if there are any special conditions under which this money must be borrowed. “If you need further information, in reference to this request, please advise and I will be more than happy to furnish you with the same.”

         An examination of the statutes in the Mississippi Code pertaining to County Port Authorities failed to reveal a provision by which the Jackson County Port Authority would have funds which could be spent on behalf of the Jackson County Airport Authority. In addition, there is no provision which would allow the Jackson County Port Authority to enter into such an agreement even if the funds were available.          Section 59-5-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, which defines the powers of the board, states:

The board shall have power to acquire, purchase, install, lease, contruct, own, hold, maintain, equip, use, control, and operate ports, harbors, waterways, channels, wharves, piers,

...