§ 44-5-3

44:5-3. Contracts by cities for care of persons at public expense The board or body having charge of the finances of a city may enter into and make a contract or contracts not exceeding the term of five years at a time with any corporation or individual maintaining or operating a hospital in that city, for the medical and surgical care and treatment of those persons whom that board or body shall consider and determine should be cared for and treated at public expense. That board or body shall annually during the continuance of the contract or contracts raise by taxation the sum needed to defray the expenses of such medical care and treatment for the fiscal year then next ensuing.