(a)  The board of directors shall be responsible for the operation of all health care facilities owned or leased by the district, according to the best interests of the public health and shall make and enforce all rules, regulations and bylaws necessary for the administration, government, protection and maintenance of health care facilities under their management and all property belonging thereto and may prescribe the terms upon which patients may be admitted thereto. Minimum standards of operation as prescribed in this article shall be established and enforced by the board of directors.

(b)  A district shall not contract to care for indigent county patients at below the cost for care. In setting the rates the board shall, insofar as possible, establish rates as will permit the district health care facilities to be operated upon a self-supporting basis. The board may establish different rates for residents of the district than for persons who do not reside within the district.

(c)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, unless prohibited from doing so by action of the board of directors, the chief executive officer may establish a task force to assist the chief executive officer in operating the district’s facilities. The chief executive officer shall, if required to do so by action of the board, select task force members from individuals nominated by the board. Once established, the task force may be dissolved by action of the chief executive officer or the board. Any action by the board under this subdivision shall require four votes from a board on which there are five members or five votes from a board on which there are seven members.

(Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 696, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 1995.)