Section 54-0103. Powers and duties of the commissioner or secretary

In  administering  the  provisions  of  this  article  the  respective
  commissioner or the secretary:
    1.  shall  make  an  itemized  estimate  of  funds  or  appropriations
  requested annually for inclusion in the executive budget;
    2.  may,  in  the  name  of the state, as further provided within this
  article, contract to make,  within  the  limitations  of  appropriations
  available  therefor,  state assistance payments to a municipality toward
  the cost of a project approved and to be  undertaken  pursuant  to  this
  article,  or  to  a  not-for-profit  corporation  toward  the costs of a
  project approved and to be undertaken pursuant to titles three and  nine
  of  this  article.  Such  contracts  shall be subject to approval by the
  state comptroller and, as to form, by the attorney general;
    3. may, in the name of the state, enter  into  contracts,  within  the
  limitations  of  appropriations  available therefor, with not-for-profit
  corporations, public benefit corporations, and private  contractors  for
  services  contemplated  by  this  article  to  be funded hereunder. Such
  contracts shall be subject to approval by the state comptroller and,  as
  to form, by the attorney general;
    4.  shall  approve  vouchers  for the payments pursuant to an approved
  contract. All such payments shall be paid on the audit  and  warrant  of
  the state comptroller; and
    5. may perform such other and further acts as may be necessary, proper
  or desirable to carry out the provisions of this article.