§ 2-255. Urban renewal powers of Council.

(a)

The Council shall carry out urban renewal projects in all areas; provided, however, that the consent of the governing body of any incorporated municipality shall be obtained as a prerequisite to the County undertaking any urban renewal project within the territorial boundaries of incorporated towns or cities. The County shall include within the urban renewal project the total parcels of land, or any designated portion thereof severed by the territorial boundaries of any two (2) or more incorporated towns or cities with the consent of the governing body of the area or areas included.

(b)

Urban renewal shall be limited to slum clearance in slum or blighted areas and redevelopment or the rehabilitation of slum or blighted areas. The Council shall have the power to:

(1)

Acquire in connection with such projects, within the corporate limits of the County, land and property of every kind and any right, interest, franchise, easement, or privilege therein, including land or property and any right or interest therein already devoted to public use, by purchase, lease, gift, condemnation, or any other legal means;

(2)

Sell, lease, convey, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any of the land or property, regardless of whether or not it has been developed, redeveloped, altered, or improved and irrespective of the manner or means in or by which it may have been acquired, to any private, public or quasi-public corporation, partnership, association, person, or other legal entity.

(c)

No land or property taken by the County for any of the aforementioned purposes or in connection with the exercise of any of the powers of the County under this Division by the exercise of the power of eminent domain shall be taken without just compensation, as agreed upon between the parties, or awarded by a jury, being first paid or tendered to the party entitled to such compensation. All land or property needed or taken by the exercise of the power of eminent domain by the County for any of the aforementioned purposes or in connection with the exercise of any of the powers of the County under this Division is declared to be needed or taken for public uses and purposes. Any or all of the activities authorized pursuant to this Division shall constitute governmental functions undertaken for public uses and purposes and the power of taxation may be exercised, public funds expended and public credit extended in furtherance thereof.

(Laws 1963, ch. 778, Sec. 2; Laws 1968, ch. 720, Sec. 1)