To the greatest extent allowable by law, the Authority is and shall be deemed to be a special tax district, exercising only those powers as are provided for in this subtitle. The Authority:may acquire, hold, and use both real and personal property necessary to achieve its purposes, including acquisition by purchase, lease, or other means; may engage the services of an administrator (the “Administrator”), which may be an individual or an entity, to administer the programs and undertakings of the Authority; may sue and be sued, provided that the District, the Authority, the Authority’s Board of Directors, and the Administrator shall benefit, to the fullest extent allowable by law, from any provisions of federal, State, and local law limiting the liability of employees, officers, agents, and officials of governmental bodies; may accept grants; may borrow funds for purposes consistent with the public purposes of the Authority, provided no borrowing shall be for a term beyond the date for renewal of the District under § 7-16 {“4-year reviews”} of this subtitle; subject to the approval of the Board of Estimates, shall adopt an annual Financial Plan that includes a budget and the taxes or charges on benefitted properties within the District authorized by <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter" data-path="II|§(63)">City Charter Article II, § (63)</cite> and this subtitle; may create and enter into partnerships between the Authority and various property owners otherwise exempt from ordinary property taxes, which partnerships may provide for the provision of permitted services and benefits by the Authority in exchange for payments arranged by contract, donation, gift, services in kind, or other mechanism by which funds or benefits are provided to the Authority; may establish and elect such officers of the Board as are not specified in this subtitle and provide for terms and duties of the officers; may contract for and purchase goods and services, without being subject to Baltimore City requirements regarding wage scales, competitive bidding, or other local procurement laws, but nonetheless shall be subject to applicable ordinances regarding City policy on encouraging and achieving goals for minority and women’s business enterprises participation in the contracting activities of the Authority; subject to the approval of the Board of Estimates, shall adopt, amend, and modify bylaws, consistent with <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter" data-path="II|§(63)">City Charter Article II, § (63)</cite> and this subtitle; may implement the programs and goals of the Authority directly through employees, or through 1 or more contracts, which contracts may be with independent contractors or contractual employees; may assist in the leasing, marketing, and promotional activities within the District, to the extent such activities are approved by the governing Board of the Authority; may appoint, hire, or engage such auditors, accountants, attorneys, assistants, aides, employees, and advisors as may be deemed necessary for the proper performance of the duties of said Authority, but consistent with this subtitle; and may do all other things necessary or convenient to carry out its goals, objectives, and powers. City Code, 1976/83, art. 1, §266 Ord. 95-613 Ord. 99-432 City Code, 1976/83, art. 1, §267 City Code, 1976/83, art. 1, §268 City Code, 1976/83, art. 1, §269 City Code, 1976/83, art. 1, §270 City Code, 1976/83, art. 1, §271 City Code, 1976/83, art. 1, §272 City Code, 1976/83, art. 1, §273(a), (b)(1), (b)(3) Ord. 15-435 City Code, 1976/83, art. 1, §273(b)(2), (c) City Code, 1976/83, art. 1, §273(d) City Code, 1976/83, art. 1, §273(e) Ord. 04-672 City Code, 1976/83, art. 1, §273(f) City Code, 1976/83, art. 1, §274 City Code, 1976/83, art. 1, §275 City Code, 1976/83, art. 1, §276 City Code, 1976/83, art. 1, §277 City Code, 1976/83, art. 1, §278 By a series of enactments (the most recent being Resolution 20-017), the Mayor and City Council has continued the Authority and District through June 30, 2024.