(1) The commissioners appointed under this subchapter shall have full and complete authority to manage, operate, improve, extend, and maintain the municipal waterworks and distribution system, and shall have full and complete charge of the plant, including the right to employ or remove any and all assistants and employees of whatsoever nature, kind, or character and to fix, regulate, and pay their salaries.
(2) It is the intention of this subchapter to vest in the commissioners unlimited authority to operate, manage, maintain, improve, and extend the municipally owned waterworks and distribution system and to have full and complete charge thereof.
(3) The commissioners shall not have authority or power to sell, mortgage, or encumber the waterworks and distribution system, unless it is done in accordance with the provisions of subchapter 2 of this chapter or when authorized by the mandate of an election called for that purpose.