When I was mayor of Salt Lake City, I wanted to advance the airport by appointing a high-level body to run the airport. It would be a board of distinguished community and business people and they would have decision-making authority.
My city attorney quickly cautioned me. He referred to the Ripper Clause in the state constitution: Article VI, Section 29. It states: “The legislature shall not delegate to any special commission, private corporation or association, any power to make, supervise or interfere with any municipal improvement, money, property or effects, whether held in trust or otherwise, to levy taxes, to select a capitol site, or to perform any municipal functions.