A joint planning commission must prepare a master plan, keep records and reports, and get municipal approval before the plan or certain commission duties take effect.
Sec. 371.043. MASTER PLAN; OTHER DUTIES. (a) A joint planning commission shall prepare an organized master plan for the orderly growth of the area under the jurisdiction of the commission. In addition to other provisions, the plan must include: (1) highway design; (2) street and park layout; and (3) designation of areas for the location of schools, residences, business and commerce, industry, and water reservoirs. (b) For a master plan to be effective, each municipality in the area must approve the plan. (c) To prepare the master plan, a joint planning commission may: (1) employ engineers, clerks, secretaries, and other administrative and field personnel; and (2) make aerial photographs, land surveys, and topography studies. (d) A joint planning commission shall: (1) keep a complete record of all of its expenditures, meetings, activities, and plans; (2) submit to each municipality participating in the commission regular reports stating the commission's income, expenditures, accounts, and progress; and (3) prepare and submit to each municipality participating in the commission an annual audit of expenditures, accounts, and funds under the supervision of the commission. (e) A joint planning commission shall make any report, account, or record requested by ordinance or resolution by a municipality participating in the commission. Additionally, the commission shall perform any other duty requested by ordinance or resolution by a municipality if the duty is not inconsistent with the purposes of this subchapter and the request is approved by a majority of the governing bodies of the municipalities participating in the commission. (f) Any duty imposed on or power granted to a joint planning commission under this section must be approved by ordinance by each municipality participating in the commission. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.