2015 Mississippi Code
Title 59 - PORTS, HARBORS, LANDINGS AND WATERCRAFT
Chapter 17 - STATE INLAND PORTS
§ 59-17-31 - Authority of board or inland port authority to employ personnel, make contracts and purchases, and sue and be sued

The board or the State Inland Port Authority, in the performance of its duties, may employ such personnel and make all contracts and purchases incidental to or necessary for the advancement, promotion, development, establishment, insurance, maintenance, repair, improvement and operation of any ports, harbors, rivers, channels and waterways, including, if required for its protection, retirement benefits, workers' compensation insurance and other employee benefits for the benefit of any employees of the board or State Inland Port Authority. The board or State Inland Port Authority may, in its discretion, make such contract or purchase without the necessity of prior advertisement or public bids, provided such contract or purchase does not involve the expenditure of sums in excess of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($ 2,500.00); and any other contracts let for any port, harbor, river, channel or waterway improvements shall be advertised as required by law for the letting of public contracts, and such contracts shall be awarded to the lowest and best bidder, who shall make such bond as shall be required by the board or State Inland Port Authority, conditioned for the faithful prosecution and completion of the work according to such contract, such bond to be furnished by a corporate surety company qualified to do business in this state. However, the board may negotiate and enter into contracts with responsible lessees for the construction of facilities by lessees, such as those referred to in Section 59-17-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, and the acquisition thereof by the board upon such terms and conditions and for such amounts as may be approved by the board.

The authority is granted the power to sue and be sued in its own name.