In counties having a population in excess of 250,000, the board of supervisors may provide, by contract, with any person, firm, or corporation, for performances within the county including, but not limited to, operas, symphonies, band concerts and other instrumental concerts, historical or commemorative pageants, choral concerts, plays or other related presentations (with or without music), ballet, dance, recitals, exhibitions, and readings. A charge may be made for attendance at these performances. The contract shall provide that the management and control of the performances shall be under the supervision of the board of supervisors or shall provide specifically for those matters which cannot legally be delegated by the board of supervisors. The contract may also provide for the reimbursement of the county, insofar as possible, out of any net profits derived from the performance by the person, firm, or corporation.

In counties of the second class, as determined by Sections 28020 and 28023, the board of supervisors may provide, by contract, with a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the State of California, for the expenditure of county funds to aid in the construction by the corporation of a theater or similar facility in which the county does not have an ownership interest. This theater may be used for the performance of plays, dramas, cultural, social, educational, and other events and presentations of benefit to the people of the county. The contract may permit admission fees to be charged for events in the theater, but the contract shall require the corporation to construct and operate the theater in a manner which will insure that the county’s funds are utilized for public purposes of benefit to the people of the county.

(Amended by Stats. 1985, Ch. 985, Sec. 7.)