Section 4: Authorities whose purpose is to combat excessive prices for essential foodstuffs

Where the purpose of commercial agencies is to combat excessive prices for essential foodstuffs, their establishment and operation shall be governed by the provisions of this section.

The régie is created by deliberation of the municipal council. The latter establishes its internal regulations.

After the town council has deliberated, the mayor opens a public enquiry, carried out in accordance with the code of relations between the public and the administration, into the project. The investigating commissioner receives comments from residents. If there are any objections, the town council deliberates again.

The internal regulations provide for the administrative organisation of the public service authority. It sets out the role and powers of the director. It determines the financial system, the accounting for cash and materials, the method of presentation of the administrative account and the balance sheet of the public service authority.

The functions of accounting officer of the régie are performed by the municipal collector or by a special accountant appointed by the mayor.

When the balance sheet, for two consecutive years, shows a loss greater than half the capital of the first establishment, the representative of the State in the department may withdraw the authorisation to operate and the régie shall, in this case, be wound up in accordance with the rules and within the time limits set by the internal regulations for winding up at the end of operations.