Sec. 3. (a) Except as provided in subsection (c) and section 3.1 of this chapter, the fiscal body of a unit may adopt an ordinance creating a department of parks and recreation and repealing in the ordinance or resolution prior ordinances or resolutions creating separate park and recreation authorities. The department consists of a park and recreation board, a superintendent, and other personnel that the board determines.

     (b) After a board has been created, all books, papers, documents, and other property of former park and recreation authorities shall be transferred to and become the property of the board.

     (c) This subsection applies to all counties. A county fiscal body may amend the ordinance that creates the department described in this section. If the county fiscal body amends the ordinance as to the composition of the county board, the ordinance must provide that the members of the county board are appointed in accordance with section 4.2 of this chapter. After December 31, 2019, the county fiscal body may not adopt a new ordinance to create a department described in this section, as set forth in section 3.1(d) of this chapter.

[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: subsection (a) formerly 19-7-4-6 part; 19-7-4-6.5 part; subsection (b) formerly 19-7-4-72.]

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.110. Amended by P.L.354-1985, SEC.2; P.L.11-1987, SEC.34; P.L.157-1991, SEC.3; P.L.75-2019, SEC.1.