The board must appoint a chief executive officer, and the chief executive officer must appoint a chief financial officer. The chief financial officer must handle regional authority money under state law and board rules, and the board must require bonds of at least $100,000.
§706. Chief executive office; qualifications; requirements A.(1) The board shall appoint a chief executive officer who shall have professional qualifications and experience comparable with the requirements of the chief executive officer position that are consistent in the industry regarding the management and operation of a publicly owned and operated airport that is certified by the FAA under 14 CFR Part 139. (2) The chief executive officer shall be an ex officio member of the board, who is not considered in determining the presence of a quorum, and does not have a vote. The chief executive officer serves at the pleasure of the board. (3) The board may enter into a contract with the chief executive officer for a commercially reasonable length of time comparable with the length of time for contracts of airport chief executive officers, directors, or managers with similar responsibilities at other airports or airport authorities in or outside of this state with a comparable number of annual enplanements. A contract executed pursuant to this Subsection shall be terminable at will by the board. B.(1) A chief executive officer shall appoint a chief financial officer who shall serve as the treasurer of the regional authority. (2) The chief financial officer shall have professional qualifications commensurate with the responsibility of the jobs to be performed by chief financial officers. (3) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the chief financial officer shall receive all money belonging to the regional authority, or arising, or received in connection with the airport from any source. (4) The chief financial officer shall deposit, invest, and pay money of the regional authority only in accordance with applicable state law and policies, procedures, ordinances, or resolutions adopted by the board. On and after the approval date, the regional authority shall be considered to be the owner of all money or other property previously or later received by the treasurer of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council or deposited in the treasury of the local government to the credit of the airport for which operational jurisdiction has been transferred to the regional authority. The regional authority shall be entitled to all interest and other earnings on the money on and after the approval date. The treasurer of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council that receives or has custody of money or other property that belongs to the regional authority shall promptly transfer the money or other property to the custody of the chief financial officer of the regional authority. C. The board shall require the chief financial officer and chief executive officer to post a suitable bond of not less than one hundred thousand dollars by a responsible bonding company. The regional authority shall pay the premium of the bond. D. The board shall prescribe the duties and responsibilities of the chief executive officer that are in addition to the duties and responsibilities imposed on the chief executive officer pursuant to this Chapter. The chief executive officer shall supervise, and is responsible for, all of the following: (1) The day-to-day operation of the airport, including the control, supervision, management, and oversight of the functions of the airport. (2) The issuance of bonds and notes as approved by the board. (3) The negotiation, establishment, and approval of compensation and other terms and conditions of employment for employees of the regional authority, within the budget approved by the board. However, any collective bargaining agreements for represented employees are subject to board approval. (4) The appointment, dismissal, discipline, demotion, promotion, and classification of employees of the regional authority. (5) The negotiation, supervision, and enforcement of other contracts as approved by the board and entered into by the regional authority and the supervision of contractors and subcontractors of the regional authority in the performance of their duties. E. The chief executive officer may execute and deliver, and delegate signatory power for, contracts, leases, obligations, and other instruments approved by the board or for which power to approve has been delegated to the chief executive officer of the regional authority pursuant to this Chapter or by action of the board. The chief executive officer shall have all powers incident to the performance of his or her duties that are prescribed pursuant to this Chapter or by the board. The board may delegate additional powers to the chief executive officer not enumerated in this Chapter. If the chief executive officer is temporarily absent or disabled, he may designate a qualified person as acting chief executive officer to perform the duties of the office. If the chief executive officer fails or is unable to designate an acting chief executive officer, the board shall designate an acting chief executive officer for the period of absence or disability of the chief executive officer. Acts 2025, No. 118, §1, eff. June 8, 2025.