(a) The commissioners appointed pursuant to this subchapter shall have full and complete authority to build, manage, operate, maintain, and keep in a good state of repair any municipal buildings deemed necessary to carry on a parks and recreation program for the municipality including the building of swimming pools, field houses, stadia, zoos, or other buildings necessary to carry on a parks and recreation program.
(b) The commissioners shall have full and complete charge of the buildings and grounds including the right to control and permit, or refuse to permit, such public gatherings or other meetings or affairs as the commissioners shall see fit and deem to be in the best interests of the city.
(c)
(1) The commissioners shall have the exclusive right and power to make purchases of all supplies, apparatus, and other property and things requisite and necessary for the management and operation of the parks and recreation program including the construction of facilities and repairs and additions thereto.
(2) The commissioners shall not have authority or power to sell, mortgage, or encumber the property unless otherwise authorized by the statutes of Arkansas.
(d) The commissioners shall have the authority to enter into contracts with persons, firms, corporations, or organizations for the use of buildings, or parts thereof, of the parks and recreation program.
(e) The employees necessary in the operation of the parks and recreation program, as well as their salaries and classifications, shall be selected and determined as prescribed by law through competitive examination and certification by the civil service commission.