Any unit of local government or any combination thereof may form a regional solid waste management authority. Creation of an authority shall be initiated by ordinance or resolution duly adopted by the governing body of each unit of local government. The ordinance or resolution shall state the necessity for the authority, the primary function, and authorize a designated representative of the unit of local government to enter into an incorporation agreement with the other units of local government. The authority is created and established as a public body corporate and politic constituting a political subdivision of the state and shall be deemed to be acting in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state in the performance of essential public functions and the authority shall be empowered in accordance with Sections 17-17-301 through 17-17-349 to promote the health, welfare and prosperity of the general public.