(1) The governing board of the authority is responsible for the execution of the voter-approved plan. Participating jurisdictions shall review the plan every ten years. The board may:

     (a) Levy taxes and impose benefit charges as authorized in the plan and approved by authority voters;

     (b) Enter into agreements with federal, state, local, and regional entities and departments as necessary to accomplish authority purposes and protect the authority's investments;

     (c) Accept gifts, grants, or other contributions of funds that will support the purposes and programs of the authority;

     (d) Monitor and audit the progress and execution of fire protection and emergency service projects to protect the investment of the public and annually make public its findings;

     (e) Pay for services and enter into leases and contracts, including professional service contracts;

     (f) Hire, manage, and terminate employees; and

     (g) Exercise powers and perform duties as the board determines necessary to carry out the purposes, functions, and projects of the authority in accordance with Title 52 RCW if one of the fire protection jurisdictions is a fire district, unless provided otherwise in the regional fire protection service authority plan, or in accordance with the statutes identified in the plan if none of the fire protection jurisdictions is a fire district.

     (2) An authority may enforce fire codes as provided under chapter 19.27 RCW.

[2006 c 200 § 6; 2004 c 129 § 9.]