(a) This section shall only apply in Etowah County.
(b) The Etowah County Mega Sports Complex Authority is created.
(c)(1) The authority shall consist of the following members:
a. The legislative sponsor of the act creating the authority.
b. A member appointed by each member of the local legislative delegation.
c. The Director of the Etowah County Chamber of Commerce.
d. Three members appointed by the Director of the Etowah County Chamber of Commerce.
(2) The authority may appoint additional members to the authority upon a majority vote of its members.
(d) The authority shall evaluate the development of a sports complex for Etowah County for implementation and administration by the authority. The evaluation shall include, but is not limited to, the following considerations and issues:
(1) The feasibility of a mega sports complex for the county.
(2) What should be included in such a complex.
(3) The location of such a complex.
(4) The cost associated with acquiring and maintaining such a complex.
(5) Possible funding sources for such a complex.
(e) After its evaluation, the authority may initiate the development and management of a public mega sports complex in the county.
(f) The authority shall also have the following powers and duties:
(1) To acquire or lease real property for the development of sports or other recreational facilities and related improvements for public purposes.
(2) To make, enter into, and execute contracts, agreements, or other instruments necessary to accomplish the purposes of this section.
(3) To establish and appoint committees and hire staff which it deems necessary for the carrying out of its functions.
(4) To accept any and all donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services, and to receive, utilize, and dispose of it.
(5) To perform other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this section.
(g) All T.V.A. in-lieu-of-taxes payments to Etowah County retained by the county and not transferred to the City of Sardis pursuant to Section 40-28-2 shall be distributed to the Etowah County Mega Sports Complex Authority, to be used for the financing and operation of a mega sports complex.