Source: http://lawdelta.org/world/Law:Division_18._Water_Replenishment_Districts_(California)
Timestamp: 2014-03-07 07:00:07
Document Index: 367117850

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 4', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 7', 'art 8', 'art 6', 'art 6', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 6', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art.\n60371', 'art 8', 'art 8']

Law:Division 18. Water Replenishment Districts (California) - Law Delta
Law:Division 18. Water Replenishment Districts (California)
1.4 Chapter 4. Information By Department
2.3 Chapter 3. Calling An Election
2.4 Chapter 4. Conduct Of Election
3.2 Chapter 2. Board Of Directors
3.3 Chapter 3. Board Action
3.4 Chapter 4. Officers And Employees
3.5 Chapter 6. Conduct Of Elections
4 Part 4. Powers
4.1 Chapter 1. Purposes And Powers
4.2 Chapter 2. Powers
5 Part 5. Finances
5.1 Chapter 1. Depositary
5.2 Chapter 2. Water Charge
5.3 Chapter 3. Taxes
5.4 Chapter 4. Bonds
5.5 Chapter 5. District Reserves And Accounting
6 Part 6. Water Replenishment Assessment
6.1 Chapter 1. Survey
6.2 Chapter 2. Hearings
6.3 Chapter 3. Findings And Order
6.4 Chapter 4. Collection Of Assessments
6.5 Chapter 5. Penalties And Exemptions
6.6 Chapter 6. Adjudication
7 Part 7. Changes In Organization
7.1 Chapter 1. Inclusion
7.2 Chapter 2. Exclusion
7.3 Chapter 2.5. Consolidation
7.4 Chapter 3. Disincorporation
8 Part 8. Competitive Bidding
Ca Codes (wat:60000) Water Code
Section 60000
60000. This division shall be known and may be cited as the Water Replenishment District Act.
Ca Codes (wat:60001-60029) Water Code
Section 60001-60029
60001. The definition of a word applies to any of its variants.
60002. "Include" except when used in relation to the inclusion of land into a district does not necessarily exclude matters not enumerated.
60003. "District" means a water replenishment district formed under the provisions of the Water Replenishment District Act, or this division.
60004. "Board" means the board of directors of a district.
60005. "Land" means land in the district or proposed district involved.
60006. "President" means the president of the board.
60007. "Secretary" means the secretary of the board.
60008. "General water replenishment district election" means the election required to be held in each district at the time of the general election in each even-numbered year.
60009. "Special water district election" means any district election other than a general water replenishment district election.
60010. "Elector," "voter," and "precinct board" have respectively the same meaning as in the Elections Code, but an "elector" or "voter" shall also be a resident of the district or proposed district involved.
60011. "Person" means any public agency or public corporation, whether federal, state, or local, or any private corporation, firm, partnership, individual, or group of individuals.
60012. "Water replenishment district" means a special water replenishment district.
60013. "Water year" means the period commencing on October 1st of one calendar year and ending on September 30th of the calendar year immediately following.
60014. "Fiscal year" means the period commencing on July 1st of one calendar year and ending on June 30th of the calendar year immediately following.
60015. "Ground water" means nonsaline water beneath the surface of the ground, whether or not flowing through known and definite channels.
60016. "Nonsaline water" means water which has less than 1,000 parts of chlorides to 1,000,000 parts of water.
60017. "Production" or "producing" means the extraction or extracting of ground water, by pumping or any other method, from shafts, tunnels, wells (including, but not limited to, abandoned oil wells), excavations, or other sources of such ground water, for domestic, municipal, irrigation, industrial, or other beneficial use, except that such terms shall not mean or include the extraction or extracting of ground water incidentally produced with oil in the production of oil or gas nor the extraction or extracting of ground water incidentally produced in a bona fide mining operation or in the bona fide construction of a tunnel for railroad, highway, aqueduct, pipeline, or other useful purpose (except the production of ground water for use or sale) unless the ground water so extracted shall be used or sold by the producer for domestic, municipal, irrigation, industrial, or other beneficial purpose.
60018. "Water-producing facility" means any device or method, mechanical or otherwise, for the production of ground water from the ground water supplies within a replenishment district.
60019. "Owner" means the person or persons owning any water-producing facility or any interest therein other than a lien to secure the payment of a debt or other obligation.
60020. "Operator" means the person or persons operating a water-producing facility; the owner thereof shall be conclusively presumed to be such operator unless satisfactory showing be made to the board of directors of the replenishment district that such water-producing facility actually is operated by some other person or persons. "Operator" shall mean any "person" mentioned in Section 60011 of this act who is operating a water-producing facility, it being the purpose of this act to include any such person within the provisions hereof.
60021. "Producer" means any operator producing ground water.
60022. "Annual overdraft" means the amount, as determined by the board of directors of the replenishment district, by which the quantity of ground water removed by any natural or artificial means from the ground water supplies within such replenishment district during the water year exceeds the quantity of nonsaline water replaced therein by the replenishment of such ground water supplies in such water year by any natural or artificial means other than replenishment under the provisions of Part 6 of this act or by any other governmental agency or entity.
60023. "Accumulated overdraft" means the aggregate amount, as determined from time to time by the board of directors of the replenishment district, by which the quantity of ground water removed by any natural or artificial means from the ground water supplies within such replenishment district during all preceding water years shall have exceeded the quantity of nonsaline water replaced therein by the replenishment of such ground water supplies in such water years by any natural or artificial means, the respective determination to be based upon reports, records, and other data or evidence found by such board of directors to be adequate for the purpose of making such determination.
60024. "Principal county" means the county in which the greater portion of the land in a district or a proposed district is situated, if the district or proposed district is located in more than one county. If the district is situated in only one county then "principal county" shall mean that county.
60025. "Participating county" is any county other than the principal county in which the district or proposed district is situated, if the district or proposed district is located in more than one county.
60026. "Affected county" means each county in which some land of the district or proposed district is located.
60027. "Replenishment assessment" means any assessment levied pursuant to Part 6 (commencing with Section 60300).
60028. "Contaminant" means any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance, or substances, of a concentration which, if contained in water, will cause a significant impairment to a domestic drinking water supply.
60029. "Existing agency" shall mean any public corporation, agency, district, or political subdivision created prior or subsequent to the formation of a replenishment district under this law and which has any of the same powers as a replenishment district.
Ca Codes (wat:60040-60051) Water Code
Section 60040-60051
60040. Districts, regardless of the date of formation, are subject to the provisions of this division.
60041. The inclusion in or annexation or addition to a replenishment district, of the corporate area of any existing agency, shall not destroy the identity or legal existence or impair the powers of any such existing agency, notwithstanding the identity of purpose, or substantial identity of purpose, of such replenishment district.
60042. Whenever by this division a notice is required to be published for a designated number of weeks or once a week for a designated number of weeks, the notice need be published on only one day of each week, and for only the same number of times as the number of weeks designated.
60043. Whenever any act is required to be done or proceeding taken on or set for a particular day or day of the week in any month, the act may be done or proceeding set for and acted upon on a day of the month otherwise specified for a regular meeting of the board.
60044. A district may be organized entirely within unincorporated territory, or partly within unincorporated territory and partly within incorporated territory, and within one or more counties in this State.
60045. No area included within any existing agency or annexations thereto, one of the purposes of which is replenishing the ground water supplies within such existing agency and which agency is empowered to levy assessments or charges upon the production of water from such ground water supplies, shall be included within any replenishment district or annexations thereto created or annexed under this division.
60046. Unless the context otherwise requires, the provisions of this chapter shall govern the construction of this division.
60047. The provisions of this division apply to the replenishment of ground water within all areas in this state, except those areas therein now or hereafter included within the Orange County Water District as provided by the Orange County Water District Act. The Legislature finds and declares that the problems of providing replenishment of the underground basin in the area of the Orange County Water District are peculiar to that area and for that reason it is necessary to deal specially with such area, and that this fact was recognized by the Legislature when it enacted the Orange County Water District Act and the amendments thereto to provide for such problems in that area.
60048. No informality in any proceeding or informality in the conduct of any election, not substantially affecting adversely the legal rights of any citizen, shall be held to invalidate any incorporation, annexation, exclusion, or other action under this act. Any action or proceeding wherein the validity of any such incorporation, annexation, exclusion or disincorporation is denied or questioned, shall be commenced within three (3) months from the date of the certificate of incorporation, annexation or exclusion issued by the Secretary of State, or from the date of the order of the board of supervisors declaring the disincorporation, as the case may be; otherwise, said actions and/or proceedings in respect thereto shall be held to be valid, and in every respect legal and incontestable.
60050. If any section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause or phrase of this act, or of the act or acts of which this act is amendatory or supplemental, is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this act. The Legislature hereby declares that it would have passed this act, and each section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause and phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, sentences, clauses or phrases of the act or acts of which this act is amendatory or supplemental, be declared unconstitutional. If any section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause or phrase of this act for any reason be held to be unconstitutional and such unconstitutional provision shall have purported to repeal or amend any provision of the acts or acts of which this act is amendatory or supplemental, the provision existing and in force at the time of the enactment of this act shall remain and be in full force and effect notwithstanding such purported repeal or amendment.
60051. No language or provision in this division shall be interpreted or construed so as to limit, abridge or otherwise affect the water or water rights of any existing agency or person or affect the rights of existing agencies or persons with respect to any legal proceeding pending on May 1, 1955, wherein any water or water right or the protection thereof is involved; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the provisions of subdivision (7) of Section 60230 of this division.
Chapter 4. Information By Department
Ca Codes (wat:60060-60061) Water Code
Section 60060-60061
60060. The department shall supply information so far as it may be practicable to persons contemplating the formation of districts.
60061. Whenever the department deems it in the public interest that preliminary surveys and field investigations of a proposed district project should be made at the expense of the State, the department shall make the surveys and field investigations.
Ca Codes (wat:60080-60083) Water Code
Section 60080-60083
60080. A petition, which may consist of any number of separate instruments, shall be filed with the county elections official of the principal county in which the proposed water replenishment district is located, signed by registered voters residing within the boundaries of the proposed district equal in number to at least 10 percent of the number of the voters residing within the proposed district; provided, that where the proposed district is situated partly in different counties, the petition must be signed by at least 10 percent of the voters of each area situated within each county, and each petition shall clearly designate in which affected county it was circulated, and each petition shall contain names only of the voters of the affected county in which the petition was circulated.
60081. Such petition shall describe the proposed boundaries of the district, recite the reasons for the proposed formation, pray that the same be organized under this act, and propose a name by which such district shall be known. The persons seeking to organize a district shall include in the petition a statement limiting the annual property tax rate, not to exceed twenty cents ($0.20) for each one hundred dollars ($100) of assessed valuation, which may be levied by the board for the purpose of purchasing water for replenishment purposes, and the board shall thereafter be limited to the rate so fixed in the petition for formation, unless a majority of the electors voting at an election held for that purpose later change the rate so fixed in the petition.
60082. If the proposed district is situated in more than one county, the county elections official of the principal county shall immediately transmit to the county elections officials of the participating counties the petitions containing the signatures of the voters of each participating county.
60083. Within 30 days of the date of filing the petition with the county elections official of the principal county, the county elections officials of the affected counties shall examine the petition and ascertain whether or not the petition is signed by the requisite number of voters within the county. When the county elections officials of the affected counties have completed their examination of the petition, they shall each attach to the petition their certificates, properly dated, showing the results of the examination, and if from the examination they shall find that the petition is signed by the requisite number of voters residing within the boundaries of that portion of the proposed district within the affected county, or is not so signed, they shall certify the petition as sufficient or insufficient, as the case may be, and the certificates shall forthwith be transmitted to the county elections official of the principal county.
Ca Codes (wat:60095-60102) Water Code
Section 60095-60102
60095. If the certificates of the county elections officials of each affected county as filed with the county elections official of the principal county show the petition to be sufficient, the county elections official of the principal county shall present the petition, together with the certificates of the county elections officials of the affected counties to the board of supervisors of the principal county.
60096. Upon presentation of such petition and certificates, the board of supervisors of the principal county shall immediately file a copy of such petition with the department.
60097. Upon filing such petition with the department said department shall set the same for a public hearing within sixty (60) days, said hearing to determine whether or not other lands should be included within the proposed district, or whether some lands which are included should be excluded, and whether the proposed district, as modified by inclusions and exclusions, will be of benefit generally to all persons or property which rely directly or indirectly upon the use of or right to use the ground water supplies within such proposed district.
60098. The department shall publish one copy of said petition, along with names of five of the persons signing such petition, together with a notice of the time, place and purpose of such hearing, and the same shall be published within each affected county pursuant to Section 6066 of the Government Code.
60099. At said public hearing which may be adjourned from time to time, the department shall hear all evidence relevant to the inclusion of additional lands in or the exclusion of lands from the proposed district, as well as all evidence relevant to the benefits to be derived by the persons or property within said proposed district by a ground water replenishment program.
60100. In the event the department determines that additional land should be included in the proposed district, it shall forthwith set a date for a public hearing to determine whether or not such land should be included. Notice of such hearing shall be published pursuant to Section 6066 of the Government Code in each affected county in which the proposed land is to be included, and said notice shall contain time, place and purpose of such hearing, and shall describe the land so proposed to be included in the proposed district. In the event such hearing is held to consider the inclusion of additional land the department shall hear all evidence relevant to the inclusion of such additional land and the benefits to be derived by the persons or property within said land so to be included in the proposed district.
60101. Within thirty (30) days after concluding all said hearings, but in any event within six (6) months of the filing of said petition with said department, the department shall make its determination of the lands to be included within the proposed district and state whether or not the persons or property within such proposed district will benefit directly or indirectly from the use or right to use the ground water supplies within such proposed district and the replenishment thereof, and this determination shall be filed with the board of supervisors of the principal county.
60102. If the department determines that the persons or property within the proposed boundaries of the district will not benefit directly or indirectly from the use of or right to use the ground water supply therein and the replenishment thereof, the board of supervisors of the principal county will take no further action, but the petition and report will be filed as a public record without prejudice to the filing of a new petition for organization of a water replenishment district, except that no such new petition shall be filed within six months after any such adverse determination by the department.
Chapter 3. Calling An Election
Ca Codes (wat:60110-60111) Water Code
Section 60110-60111
60110. If the department determines that the persons or property within a proposed district will benefit directly or indirectly from the use of or right to use the ground water supplies therein or the replenishment waters thereof, the board of supervisors of the principal county shall forthwith divide the proposed district into five (5) divisions, according to and based upon the population, as estimated by the board of supervisors of the principal county from the register of voters used at the last general election, in such manner as to equalize, as nearly as practicable, the population in the respective divisions. Such divisions shall be numbered first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and one director, who shall be a resident thereof, shall be elected for each division by the voters thereof, and shall take office as hereinafter provided.
60111. When such order dividing the proposed district into five (5) divisions is made, said board of supervisors shall call and provide for the holding of an election to be held in said proposed district for the purpose of determining whether or not the same shall be incorporated, and for the purpose of electing the first board of directors, if the district is incorporated. The election shall be held on the next established election date not less than 74 days from the date of the adoption of the resolution or ordinance calling the election. The notice of such election shall describe the boundaries of the proposed district, as modified by the report of the department, and of the divisions thereof as so established, and shall state the proposed name of the proposed district (which name shall contain the words "____ Water Replenishment District"), and shall state that the first directors will be elected at such election, who shall take office if the district is incorporated, and shall set forth the names of the candidates of the offices of the directors from the respective divisions. The notice of election shall be published in each affected county pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code. Publication shall be complete at least seven, but not more than 28, days prior to the date of the election.
Chapter 4. Conduct Of Election
Ca Codes (wat:60120-60125) Water Code
Section 60120-60125
60120. The provisions of the Elections Code so far as they may be applicable shall govern all general and special water district elections, except as in this act otherwise provided.
60121. In such election the first directors shall be elected, and the following measure shall be submitted: "Shall the proposition to organize ____ Water Replenishment District under the Water Replenishment District Act be adopted " The candidates shall declare their candidacy and shall be nominated, the election shall be held and conducted, the vote canvassed, the result declared and the certificate of election issued in accordance with the provisions of the Elections Code, so far as they may be applicable, except as in this act otherwise provided. No person shall be entitled to vote at any election under the provisions of this act unless such person possesses all of the qualifications required of voters under the Elections Code.
60122. Within seven (7) days after such election the vote shall be canvassed by said board of supervisors of the principal county. If a majority of the votes cast in such election shall be in favor of organizing such district, said board shall, by order, entered on its minutes, declare the territory included within the proposed boundaries duly organized, as a water replenishment district under the name theretofore designated, and the county clerk of the principal county shall immediately cause to be recorded in the offices of the county recorders of each affected county a certificate stating that such proposition was adopted.
60122.5. The county clerk of the principal county shall immediately cause to be filed with the Secretary of State a certificate listing: (a) The name of the district. (b) The date of formation. (c) The county or counties in which the district is located, and a description of the boundaries of the district, or reference to a map showing such boundaries, which map shall be attached to the certificate, or reference to the county recorder's office where a description of such boundaries has been recorded. If the order declaring the district organized contains all of the information required to be in the certificate, the county clerk may file a copy of the order in lieu of the certificate.
60123. Upon receipt of said certificate or a copy of the order declaring the district organized, the Secretary of State shall, within ten (10) days, issue his certificate reciting that the named water replenishment district has been duly incorporated according to the laws of the State of California. A copy of such certificate shall be transmitted to and filed with the county clerk of each affected county.
60124. Upon filing said certificate of the county clerk of the principal county, or a copy of the order declaring the district organized, with the Secretary of State, the district shall be deemed incorporated as a water replenishment district, with all the rights, privileges and powers set forth in this act.
60125. No informality in any proceeding or informality in the conduct of any election, not substantially affecting adversely the legal rights of any citizen, shall be held to invalidate the incorporation of any district, and any proceedings, wherein the validity of such incorporation is denied, shall be commenced within three (3) months from the date of the certificate of incorporation, otherwise said incorporation and the legal existence of said district and all proceedings in respect thereto shall be held to be valid and in every respect legal and incontestable.
Ca Codes (wat:60130-60144) Water Code
Section 60130-60144
60130. If a majority of the votes cast at such election are in favor of organizing such district, the persons voted for as directors who receive the highest number of votes within the respective divisions shall be duly elected as directors of the district.
60131. The board of a district organized under this act shall consist of five members, and one director, who shall be a resident of the division, shall be elected by the voters thereof, for each of the five divisions of such district, which divisions shall be numbered first, second, third, fourth and fifth, and shall be established as provided in Section 60110 of this act.
60132. The board of directors shall, by resolution, adjust the boundaries of any divisions pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 22000) of Division 21 of the Elections Code.
60133. The members of the first board shall be elected at the time and in the manner provided in Chapter 3 of Part 2 of this act, and their successors shall be elected or chosen at the times and in the manner hereinafter provided.
60134. Each director shall hold office for the term of four (4) years from and after the date for his taking of office, as herein provided, and until the election and qualification of his successor, except that the five members of the first board shall classify themselves by lot so that two of them shall hold office until the qualification of, and taking office by, their successors elected at an election held in the next succeeding even-numbered year, and so that three shall hold office until the qualification of, and taking of office by, their successors elected at an election held in the second succeeding even-numbered year.
60135. In the case of all districts (except as to the election of the first board) the elections of directors shall be held at the time of the general election and shall be consolidated therewith.
60136. Each candidate for director who at the election of directors receives votes on a plurality of all the ballots cast for candidates for the office for which he or she seeks election shall be elected to that office.
60138. Candidates shall declare their candidacy and shall be nominated, election returns shall be canvassed, the election shall be held and conducted, the results shall be declared, and the certificates of election shall be issued, in the same manner as the declaration of candidacy, nomination, election, canvassing of returns, declaration of results, and issuance of certificates of election for county officers are made, declared, held, and conducted, and issued, so far as consistent with the provisions of this act and except as otherwise herein expressly provided.
60139. Directors elected hereunder, except the first board, shall take office at the same time provided by the Government Code for county officers.
60140. The election of directors held at the time of the general election and consolidated therewith shall be known as the general water replenishment district election, and each other election which may be held by authority of this division or the Elections Code or other law applicable thereto shall be known as a special water replenishment district election.
60141. If, on the sixty-fifth day prior to the day fixed for the district general election, only one person has been nominated for each office of member of the board to be filled at that election, said board shall by resolution entered in their minutes order that an election shall not be held, and shall immediately request that the board of supervisors of the principal county, at a regular or special meeting held prior to the day of election, appoint, and the board of supervisors shall thereupon appoint, to the office or offices the person or persons who have been nominated. The person appointed shall qualify and take office and serve exactly as if elected at a district general election. In such case, the publication provided for in Section 60111 shall, instead of calling an election, state that no election is to be held but that the board of supervisors will appoint those nominated for the positions of directors.
60141.1. Notice that such appointment may be made in the event that only one nomination is made, shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the district, once, not less than seven days and not more than 14 days prior to the final day on which nominations may be made.
60143. Each director shall receive compensation in an amount not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) for each day's attendance at meetings of the board or for each day's service rendered as a director by request of the board, not exceeding a total of six days in any calendar month, together with any expenses incurred in the performance of his or her duties required or authorized by the board. For purposes of this section, the determination of whether a director's activities on any specific day are compensable shall be made pursuant to Article 2.3 (commencing with Section 53232) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code. Reimbursement for these expenses is subject to Sections 53232.2 and 53232.3 of the Government Code.
60144. Any vacancy in the board shall be filled pursuant to Section 1780 of the Government Code. The person so chosen shall be a resident of and otherwise qualified to be a director from the division in which the vacancy shall occur.
Ca Codes (wat:60150-60155) Water Code
Section 60150-60155
60150. The board shall be the governing body of such district.
60151. It shall hold its first meeting as soon as possible after the election and certification of the first board and not later than the sixth Monday after the date of the first election of directors as herein provided; it shall choose one of its members president, and shall thereupon provide for the time and place of holding its meetings and the manner in which its special meetings may be called.
60153. A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
60154. At its first meeting in the month of January of each odd-numbered year, the board shall choose one of its members president.
60155. The board shall designate a depository or depositories to have the custody of the funds of the district, all of which depositories shall give security sufficient to secure the district against possible loss, and who shall pay the warrants drawn by the treasurer for demands against the district under such rules as the directors may prescribe.
Chapter 3. Board Action
Ca Codes (wat:60160-60167) Water Code
Section 60160-60167
60160. The board shall act only by ordinance, resolution, or motion.
60161. On all ordinances the roll shall be called and the ayes and noes recorded in the journal of the proceedings of the board.
60162. Resolutions and motions may be adopted by voice vote, but on demand of any member the roll shall be called.
60163. No ordinance, motion or resolution shall be passed or become effective without the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the board.
60164. The enacting clause of all ordinances passed by the board shall be: "Be it ordained by the Board of Directors of _______ Water Replenishment District as follows:".
60165. Ordinances may be passed by the voters of any district organized under the provisions of this act in accordance with the methods provided by the Elections Code for direct legislation in cities.
60166. Ordinances may be disapproved and thereby vetoed by the voters of any such district by proceeding in accordance with the methods provided by the Elections Code for protesting against legislation in cities.
60167. (a) In addition to the prohibitions set forth in the Political Reform Act of 1974 (Title 9 (commencing with Section 81000) of the Government Code), a board member of a district may not make, or in any way attempt to use his or her official position to influence, a decision in which the board member knows, or has reason to know that any of the board member's relatives or cohabitants, whose interests are not otherwise regulated by that act, has a financial interest. (b) As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) "Relative" means any person related to the board member by blood or adoption, including all relatives whose status is preceded by the words "step," "great," or "grand," or the spouse of any of these persons, even if the marriage was terminated by death or dissolution. (2) "Cohabitant" means any person who regularly resides in the board member's household or who uses the board member's residence address to receive mail.
Ca Codes (wat:60180-60187) Water Code
Section 60180-60187
60180. At its first meeting, or as soon thereafter as practicable, the board shall appoint by a majority vote a secretary, treasurer, attorney, general manager and auditor, define their duties and fix their compensation, and each shall serve at the pleasure of the board, and may employ such additional assistants and employees as they may deem necessary to efficiently maintain and operate said district.
60181. Said board may consolidate the office of secretary and treasurer.
60182. The president and secretary in addition to the respective duties imposed on them by law shall perform such duties as may be imposed on them by the board.
60183. The treasurer, or such other person or persons as may be authorized by the board, shall draw checks or warrants to pay demands when such demands shall have been audited and approved in the manner prescribed by the board.
60184. The general manager shall have full charge and control of the maintenance, operation and construction of the spreading or other works of the district with full power and authority to employ and discharge all employees and assistants at pleasure, prescribe their duties, fix their compensation, subject to the approval of the board.
60185. The general manager shall perform such other duties as may be imposed on him by the board. The general manager shall report to the board in accordance with such rules and regulations as they may direct.
60186. The attorney shall be the legal adviser of the district and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board.
60187. The general manager, secretary and treasurer, and all other employees or assistants of said district who may be required to do so by the board, shall give such bonds to the district conditioned for the faithful performance of their duties as the board from time to time may provide. The premiums on such bonds shall be paid by the district.
Chapter 6. Conduct Of Elections
Ca Codes (wat:60210-60217) Water Code
Section 60210-60217
60210. The provisions of the Elections Code so far as they may be applicable shall govern all general district elections and all special district elections, except as in this act otherwise provided.
60211. No person shall vote at any district election held under the provisions of this act who is not a voter within the meaning of the Elections Code, residing in the division of the district in which he or she casts his or her vote. For the purpose of registering voters who shall be entitled to vote at district elections, the county elections official is authorized, in any county in which there is a district, to indicate upon the affidavit of registration whether the voter is a voter of a district.
60212. In case the boundary line of a district crosses the boundary line of a county election precinct only those voters within the district and within the precinct who are registered as being voters within the district shall be permitted to vote, and for that purpose the county elections official may provide two sets of ballots within those precincts, one containing the names of candidates for office in the district, and the other not containing those names, and it shall be the duty of the election officers in those precincts to furnish only those persons registered as voters within the district with the ballots upon which are printed the names of the candidates for office in the district.
60213. In counties in which districts are located the county elections official is hereby given authority, and is authorized to have printed upon the official ballots provided for voters at elections for directors a heading in the same form as that provided by the Elections Code for nonpartisan officers, which heading shall be marked "Water Replenishment District," with a subheading "For a Member of the Board of Directors, Division ____ (here inserting the number of the division)--Vote for One," and beneath which shall appear the names of the candidates for the office of member of the board for the division of the district, with the appropriate blank space for the writing in of the name of a candidate if desired by the voters, and with a voting square placed opposite the space. The ballots thus provided shall be furnished by the precinct officers only to those voters within their respective precincts who shall appear on the register as duly registered voters within that division of the district, and in precincts that lie partly within that district and partly without the precinct board shall be supplied with two kinds of ballots by the county elections official, one of which shall contain the matters hereinabove set forth for the use of voters of the district, and the other of which shall be without the heading containing the names of candidates for the office of member of the board, and which shall be furnished to those voters who are not voters of the district and who are voters of the precinct.
60214. The board shall call and canvass all elections involving matters of initiative and referendum and shall call all other elections which it is authorized to canvass.
60215. The governing body calling or conducting any election under the provisions of this act shall fix the compensation to be paid the officers of the election and shall designate the precincts and polling places for each division of the district and shall appoint the officers of such election, who shall consist of one inspector, one judge, and two clerks, unless, in case of consolidated elections, other officers of election are required by law.
60216. The voting precincts for any such election may be established and the boundaries thereof fixed and described by such governing body, or such voting precincts may consist of either the regular election precincts or portions thereof within the district established for holding state or county elections, or a consolidation of any or all of such regular election precincts or portions thereof last established.
60217. If any district election is consolidated with any state or county election, then the voting precincts, polling places, and election officers for the district election shall be the same as those established for such state or county election.
Chapter 1. Purposes And Powers
Ca Codes (wat:60220-60226) Water Code
Section 60220-60226
60220. A district may do any act necessary to replenish the ground water of said district.
60221. Without being limited to the following enumerations, a district may, among other things but only for the purposes of replenishing the groundwater supplies within the district: (a) Buy and sell water; (b) Exchange water; (c) Distribute water to persons in exchange for ceasing or reducing ground water extractions; (d) Spread, sink and inject water into the underground; (e) Store, transport, recapture, recycle, purify, treat or otherwise manage and control water for the beneficial use of persons or property within the district. (f) Build the necessary works to achieve ground water replenishment.
60222. A district may take any action necessary to protect or prevent interference with water, the quality thereof, or water rights of persons or property within the district, subject to the limitations contained in Section 60230.
60223. For the purposes of replenishing the ground water supplies within the district, a district may do any act in order to put to beneficial use any water under its control or management.
60224. For the purpose of protecting and preserving the groundwater supplies within the district for beneficial uses, a district may take any action, within the district, including, but not limited to, capital expenditures and legal actions, which in the discretion of the board is necessary or desirable to accomplish any of the following: (a) Prevent contaminants from entering the groundwater supplies of the district, whether or not the threat is immediate. (b) Remove contaminants from the groundwater supplies of the district. (c) Determine the existence, extent, and location of contaminants in, or which may enter, the groundwater supplies of the district. (d) Determine persons, whether natural persons or public entities, responsible for those contaminants. (e) Perform or obtain engineering, hydrologic, and scientific studies for any of the foregoing purposes.
60225. A district may take any action outside the district, including, but not limited to, those set forth in Section 60224, provided the board finds both of the following: (a) The action is reasonably necessary to protect groundwater supplies within the district. (b) There is a direct, material relationship between the groundwater supply where the action is to be taken and the groundwater supply within the district.
60226. A district may sue and recover the amount of any district expenditures under Section 60224 from the person or persons responsible for the contaminants causing the expenditures. In proceeding under any state or federal law, a district may recover those expenses from responsible persons and governmental insurance funds. In any action the district, if successful, may recover reasonable attorney's fees and court costs, as determined by the court. The right or power to recover damages shall not be deemed an adequate remedy at law precluding use of injunctive relief under this section or any other provision of this division or any other statute. In any action for injunctive relief relating to contaminants, no bond shall be required of a district as a condition to granting a preliminary injunction.
Ca Codes (wat:60230-60232) Water Code
Section 60230-60232
60230. For the purposes of replenishing the groundwater supplies within the district, a district shall have power: (a) To have perpetual succession. (b) To sue and be sued, except as otherwise provided in this division or by law, in all actions and proceedings in all courts and tribunals. (c) To adopt a seal and alter it at pleasure. (d) To take by grant, purchase, gift, devise, or lease, to hold, use and enjoy, and to lease, convey or dispose of, real and personal property of every kind, within or without the district, necessary or convenient to the full exercise of its power. (e) Within or outside of the district to construct, purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire, and to operate and maintain necessary waterworks and other works, machinery and facilities, canals, conduits, waters, water rights, spreading grounds, lands, rights and privileges useful or necessary to replenish the underground water basin within the district, or to augment the common water supplies of the district, including, but not limited to, the exercise of any power under Section 60224. (f) For the common benefit of the district, to store water in underground water basins or reservoirs within or outside of the district, to appropriate and acquire water and water rights within or outside of the district, to import water into the district, and to conserve water within or outside of the district. (g) To carry out the purposes of this division, to commence, maintain, intervene in, defend and compromise, in the name of the district, or otherwise, and to assume the costs and expenses of any and all actions and proceedings now or hereafter begun to determine or adjudicate all or a portion of the rights to divert, extract, or use waters within the district, or within any segments thereof or subbasins therein, as between owners of or claimants to those rights, to prevent any interference with water or water rights used or useful to the lands, inhabitants, owners, operators, or producers within the district, or to prevent the diminution of the quantity or quality of the water supply of the district, or to prevent unlawful exportation of water from the district. (h) To exercise the right of eminent domain to take any property necessary to supply the district or any portion thereof with replenishment water, including, but not limited to, the exercise of any power under Section 60224, except that the right of eminent domain may not be exercised with respect to (1) water and water rights already devoted to beneficial use, and (2) property (other than water and water rights) already appropriated to public use unless the taking be for a more necessary public use than that to which the property is already appropriated; provided that the district in exercising that power shall in addition to the damage for taking, injuring, or destruction of property also pay the cost of removal, reconstruction, or relocation of any structure, including, but not limited to, railways, mains, pipes, conduits, wires, cables, towers, or poles of any public utility which is required to be removed to a new location. No use by a district of property owned, at the time the action to condemn is brought, by an existing agency having powers to provide for the replenishment of groundwater, shall constitute a more necessary public use than the use to which the property is already appropriated. A district shall not exercise the right of eminent domain to acquire property outside the boundaries of the principal county in which the district is situated unless it first obtains the consent thereto of the board of supervisors of the county in which the property is located. (i) To act jointly with or cooperate with the United States or any agency thereof, and cooperate and act jointly with the state, or any county or agency thereof, or any political subdivision or district therein, including flood control districts, public and private corporations, and any person, to the end that the purposes and activities of the district may be fully and economically performed. (j) To cause assessments and charges to be levied as provided in this division to accomplish the purposes of this division and to maintain such reserve funds for the future purchase of water for replenishment purposes as may be authorized to be levied. (k) To make contracts, employ labor, and do all acts necessary for the full exercise of the foregoing powers. (l) To carry on technical and other investigations of all kinds, necessary to carry out the provisions of this division, and for this purpose the district shall have the right of access through its authorized representative to all properties within the district. (m) To borrow money and incur indebtedness and to issue bonds or other evidences of that indebtedness; to refund or retire any indebtedness or lien that may exist against the district or property thereof; to issue warrants to pay the formation expenses of the district, which may bear interest at a rate not exceeding 6 percent a year from the date of issue until funds are available to pay the warrants, and which formation expenses may include fees of attorneys and others employed to conduct the formation proceedings, but shall not include the expenses of holding and conducting the formation election. (n) To cause taxes to be levied, in the manner provided in this division, for the purpose of paying any obligation of the district, including its formation expenses and any warrants issued therefor. (o) To fix the rates at which water shall be sold for replenishment purposes, and to establish different rates for different classes of service or conditions of service, provided the rates shall be uniform for like classes and conditions of service. (p) To fix the terms and conditions of any contract under which producers may agree voluntarily to use replenishment water from a nontributary source in lieu of groundwater, and to that end a district may become a party to the contract and pay from district funds that portion of the cost of the replenishment waters as will encourage the purchase and use of that water in lieu of pumping so long as the persons or property within the district are directly or indirectly benefited by the resulting replenishment.
60230.5. All expenditures for construction work, materials, equipment and supplies, and professional services, including, but not limited to, legal, legislative, public affairs, public relations, and engineering services, regardless of price shall be made pursuant to contract. All district contracts shall be in writing in a form prescribed by the general manager and approved by the general counsel. At minimum, each contract shall include the relevant scope of work, duration, and terms of payment.
60231. (a) The powers and duties herein enumerated, except as otherwise expressly provided, shall be exercised and performed by the board of the district. If an existing agency has facilities available and adequate to accomplish any part of the purposes of a district created under this act, the district shall investigate and determine the cost of contracting for the accomplishment of that purpose through that existing agency. Thereupon, the board shall make a finding , by resolution and supported by evidence, whether or not the purpose proposed to be accomplished by the district can be achieved more economically and for the best interests of the area to be benefited by entering into such a contract with an existing agency. If the board finds that such contract is more economical and for the best interests of the area to be benefited, it shall so contract for the accomplishment of said purpose, if such agency so agrees. The purpose of this section is to avoid duplication of similar operations by existing agencies and replenishment districts. (b) Prior to constructing, leasing, purchasing, or contracting for a capital improvement project, a district shall determine the feasibility of such a project by ordering or preparing and reviewing a cost-benefit analysis based upon reasonable assumptions.
60232. Each district has the power generally to perform all acts necessary to carry out fully the provisions of this act.
Chapter 1. Depositary
Ca Codes (wat:60240) Water Code
Section 60240
60240. Any money belonging to a district may be deposited or invested and drawn out as provided in Title 5, Division 2, Part 1, Chapter 4, Article 2 of the Government Code, as now or hereafter amended.
Chapter 2. Water Charge
Ca Codes (wat:60245-60246) Water Code
Section 60245-60246
60245. The board shall fix such rate or rates for the sale or exchange of water for replenishment purposes only as will result in revenues which will pay, insofar as practicable, the operating expenses of the district.
60246. The rate charged shall be uniform for like classes and conditions of service.
Ca Codes (wat:60250-60257) Water Code
Section 60250-60257
60250. To the extent that the revenues resulting from water charges authorized by Section 60245 of this act are inadequate to meet the obligations and expenses therein set out, the board may cause a tax to be levied, as herein provided, sufficient to pay the expenses and charges set out in Section 60245.
60251. The board shall determine the amounts necessary to be raised by taxation during the fiscal year and shall fix the rate or rates of tax to be levied which will raise the amounts of money required by the district, and within a reasonable time previous to the time when the board of supervisors is required by law to fix its tax rate, the board shall certify to the board of supervisors a statement in writing containing the following: (a) an estimate of the minimum amount of money required to be raised by taxation during the fiscal year for the payment of the principal of and interest on any bonded debt of the district as it becomes due; (b) a statement that the entire district was benefited by incurring the bonded indebtedness; (c) an estimate of the minimum amount of money required to be raised by taxation during the fiscal year for all other purposes of the district.
60252. The board shall direct that at the time and in the manner required by law for the levying of taxes for county purposes, such board of supervisors shall levy, in addition to such other tax as may be levied by such board of supervisors, at the rate or rates so fixed and determined by the board, a tax upon the real property and improvements thereon, but not on personal property within the district, and it is made the duty of the officer or body having authority to levy taxes within each county to levy the tax so required.
60253. Taxes for the payment of the interest on or principal of any bonded debt shall be levied on the real property and improvements thereon, but not on personal property within the district, as determined by the board in the resolution declaring the necessity to incur the debt.
60254. Taxes for other purposes of the district shall be levied on all real property and improvements thereon, but not on personal property in the district.
60255. It shall be the duty of all county officials charged with the duty of collecting taxes to collect the taxes provided for herein in time, form and manner as county taxes are collected, and when collected pay the same to the district.
60256. All taxes provided for herein shall be a lien on all the real property and improvements thereon, but not on personal property within the district, and their collection may be enforced by the same means as provided for in the enforcement of liens for state and county taxes.
60257. When mineral rights are assessed separately from other rights in any parcel of real property no tax shall be levied under this division upon such mineral rights and any such tax shall be levied upon such real property exclusive of such mineral rights.
Ca Codes (wat:60270-60282) Water Code
Section 60270-60282
60270. Whenever the board deems it necessary for the district to incur a bonded indebtedness, the board shall, by resolution, so declare and state the purpose for which the proposed debt is to be incurred, the amount of debt to be incurred, the maximum term the bonds proposed to be issued shall run before maturity, which shall not exceed 40 years; the maximum rate of interest to be paid, which shall not exceed 8 percent per annum, and the measure to be submitted to the voters.
60271. The board shall fix a date upon which an election shall be held for the purpose of authorizing said bonded indebtedness to be incurred.
60272. It shall be the duty of the board to provide for holding such special election on the day so fixed and in accordance with the provisions of the Elections Code so far as the same shall be applicable, except as herein otherwise provided.
60273. Such board shall give notice of the holding of such election, which notice shall contain the text of the resolution adopted by the board of the district, the designation of precincts, the location of polling places, and the names of the officers selected to conduct the election, who shall consist of one judge, one inspector and two clerks in each precinct.
60274. In case such election is consolidated with a state or county election, the precincts, polling places, and election officers shall be the same as provided for such state or county election, and it shall be sufficient if the resolution and notice so state.
60275. The notice shall be published in such district pursuant to Section 6066 of the Government Code in a newspaper or newspapers designated by the board. If there is no newspaper published in such district, then such notice shall be posted in three public places in such district in each affected county. Publication or posting shall be complete at least 14, but not more than 28, days prior to the date of the election.
60276. All the expenses of holding such election shall be borne by the district.
60277. The returns of such election shall be made, the votes canvassed by said board within seven days following said election, and the results thereof ascertained and declared in accordance with the provisions of the Elections Code, so far as they may be applicable, except as in this act otherwise provided.
60278. The secretary of the board, as soon as the result is declared, shall enter in the records of such board a statement of such results.
60279. No irregularities or informalities in conducting such election shall invalidate the same, if the election shall have otherwise been fairly conducted.
60280. Any action or proceeding, wherein the validity of any such bonds or of the proceedings in relation thereto is contested, questioned or denied, shall be commenced within three months from the date of such election; otherwise, said bonds and all proceedings in relation thereto shall be held to be valid and in every respect legal and incontestable.
60281. If from such returns it appears that more than two-thirds of the votes cast at such election held pursuant to the provisions of this chapter were in favor of and assented to the incurring of such indebtedness, then the board may, by resolution, at such time or times as it deems proper, provide for the form and execution of such bonds and for issuance of any part thereof, and may sell or dispose of the bonds so issued at such times or in such manner, either for cash in lawful money of the United States or its equivalent, as it may deem to be to the public interest.
60282. Any bonds issued by any district are hereby given the same force, value and use as bonds issued by any city and shall be exempt from all taxation within the State of California.
Chapter 5. District Reserves And Accounting
Ca Codes (wat:60290-60292) Water Code
Section 60290-60292
60290. The district may establish an annual reserve fund in an amount not to exceed ten million dollars ($10,000,000) commencing with the 2000-01 fiscal year. The maximum allowable reserve fund may be adjusted annually commencing with 2001-02 fiscal year to reflect percentage increases or decreases in the blended cost of water from district supply sources. A minimum of 80 percent of the reserve shall be for water purchases.
60291. The limitation on the reserve established in Section 60290 does not apply to the unexpended balance of any appropriated funds in a capital improvement project construction account established to pay the cost of a project or projects under construction.
60292. (a) The district shall order, review, and maintain on file an independent, audited financial statement not later than 60 days from the conclusion of the district's fiscal year. The independent audited financial statement shall be prepared by a certified public accountant or a public accountant, licensed by the California Board of Accountancy. The independent audited financial statement shall be consistent with standards provided in the "Standards for Audits of Governmental Organizations, Programs, Activities, and Functions" prepared by the Comptroller General of the United States. The independent audited financial statement shall include all of the following: (1) The balances in all accounts established for the maintenance of the district's funds. (2) A report describing the amount of district funds to be expended for any capital improvement project authorized to be constructed or funded by the district and a detailed description of the capital improvement project. (3) A report detailing the source of funds to be expended on any authorized capital improvement project, and whether the source of funds is the water replenishment assessment levied in accordance with Part 6 (commencing with Section 60300). (4) A report describing the propriety of the district's operating expenses. (5) A summary of independent audited financial statement exceptions and management improvement recommendations. (6) A description of correction or plan of correction shall be incorporated in the independent audited financial statement, describing the specific actions that are planned to be taken, or that have been taken, to correct the problem identified by the auditor. The descriptions of specific actions to be taken or that have been taken shall not solely consist of general comments such as "will implement," "accepted the recommendation," or "will discuss at a later date." (b) Copies of the independent audited financial statements shall be submitted to the Governor, the Legislature, and the State Auditor on or before November 1 of each year.
Chapter 1. Survey
Ca Codes (wat:60300-60301) Water Code
Section 60300-60301
60300. Not later than the second Tuesday in February each year the board shall order an engineering survey and report to be made regarding the ground water supplies of the district. The same shall include, among all other information and data which the board may require, the following: (1) Records, data and other information for the consideration of the board in its determination of the annual overdraft; (2) Records, data and other information for the consideration of the board in its determination of the accumulated overdraft as of the last day of the preceding water year; (3) A report, with supporting data, as to the total production of ground water from the ground water supplies within the replenishment district during the preceding water year; (4) A report, with supporting data, as to the changes during the preceding water year in the pressure levels or piezometric heights of the ground water contained within pressure-level areas of the replenishment district, and as to the effects thereof upon the ground water supplies within such replenishment district; (5) An estimate of the annual overdraft for the current water year and for the ensuing water year; (6) An estimate of the accumulated overdraft as of the last day of the current water year; (7) An estimate of the total production of ground water from the ground water supplies within the replenishment district for the current water year and for the ensuing water year; (8) An estimate of the changes during the current water year in the pressure levels or piezometric heights of the ground water contained within pressure-level areas of the replenishment district, and of the effects thereof upon the ground water supplies within such replenishment district; (9) An estimate of the quantity, source, and cost of water available for replenishment of the ground water supplies during the ensuing water year under the provisions of Section 60315.
60301. If the district has received an engineering evaluation as to any matter within the powers of the district under Section 60224 and containing proposed action or alternate actions and estimated costs, including engineering and legal fees and expenses and district overhead, the board may, not later than the second Tuesday in February of each year, order the inclusion in the engineering survey and report referred to in Section 60300 of a statement of the proposed action or alternate actions and those estimated costs.
Chapter 2. Hearings
Ca Codes (wat:60305-60309) Water Code
Section 60305-60309
60305. On or before the second Tuesday in March of each year, and provided the survey and report called for by Section 60300 has been made, the board, by resolution, shall declare whether funds shall be raised to purchase water for replenishment during the next ensuing fiscal year and whether the funds shall be raised either by (a) a water charge, as provided in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 60245) of Part 5, (b) a general assessment, as provided in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 60250) of Part 5, (c) a replenishment assessment as provided in this chapter, or (d) a combination of any two or more of the foregoing, and whether the funds so to be raised, whether by a water charge, a general assessment, a replenishment assessment or a combination of those means, will benefit, directly or indirectly, all of the persons or real property and improvements within the district. The resolution shall also declare whether funds shall be raised to remove contaminants from groundwater supplies during the next ensuing fiscal year or to exercise any other power under Section 60224, and whether funds for that purpose shall be raised by a replenishment assessment as provided in this chapter, with a like statement of benefit.
60306. If the board, by resolution, determines that all or a portion of the funds needed to purchase replenishment water, or to remove contaminants from the groundwater supplies of the district, or to exercise any other power under Section 60224, shall be raised by the levy of a replenishment assessment, then the board shall immediately publish a notice that a public hearing will be held on the second Tuesday of April for the purpose of determining whether and to what extent the estimated costs thereof for the ensuing year shall be paid for by a replenishment assessment. The notice shall contain a copy of the board's resolution, the time and place of the hearing, and an invitation to all interested parties to attend and be heard in support of or opposition to the proposed assessment, the engineering survey and report, and the board's determination, and shall invite inspection of the engineering survey and report upon which the board acted. The notice shall be published in each affected county pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code, at least 10 days before the hearing date.
60307. Said hearing shall be held before the board and a quorum shall be present. The hearing may be adjourned from time to time by the president or presiding officer or hearing officer but shall be completed by the first Tuesday in May next following.
60308. The board may appoint a qualified registered engineer familiar with water problems as a hearing officer to conduct said hearing.
60309. All evidence relevant to the engineering survey and report and the board's determination that such a replenishment assessment shall be levied may be introduced.
Chapter 3. Findings And Order
Ca Codes (wat:60315-60318) Water Code
Section 60315-60318
60315. Upon completing the hearing, but no later than the second Tuesday in May, the board shall, by resolution, find all of the following: (a) The annual overdraft for the preceding water year. (b) The estimated annual overdraft for the current water year. (c) The estimated annual overdraft for the ensuing water year. (d) The accumulated overdraft as of the last day of the preceding water year. (e) The estimated accumulated overdraft as of the last day of the current water year. (f) The total production of groundwater from the groundwater supplies within the district during the preceding water year. (g) The estimated total production of groundwater from the groundwater supplies within the district for the current water year. (h) The estimated total production of groundwater from the groundwater supplies within the district for the ensuing water year. (i) The changes during the preceding water year in the pressure levels or piezometric heights of the groundwater contained within pressure-level areas of the district, and the effects thereof upon the groundwater supplies within the district. (j) The estimated changes during the current water year in the pressure levels or piezometric heights of the groundwater contained within pressure-level areas of the district, and the estimated effects thereof upon the groundwater supplies within the district. (k) The quantity of water that should be purchased for the replenishment of the groundwater supplies of the district during the ensuing water year. (l) The source and estimated cost of water available for the replenishment. (m) The estimated costs of replenishing the groundwater supplies with the water so purchased. (n) The estimated costs of purchasing, in water years succeeding the ensuing water year, that portion of the quantity of water which should be purchased for the replenishment of the groundwater supplies of the district during the ensuing water year, but which is estimated to be unavailable for purchase during the ensuing water year; estimated costs shall be based on the estimated price of water for replenishment purposes during the ensuing water year. (o) The estimated rate of the replenishment assessment required to be levied upon the production of groundwater from the groundwater supplies within the district during the ensuing fiscal year for the purposes of accomplishing the replenishment and providing a reserve fund to purchase in future years, when available, that portion of the quantity of water which should be purchased for the replenishment of the groundwater supplies of the district during the ensuing water year, but which is estimated to be unavailable for purchase during that ensuing water year. (p) Whether any contaminants should be removed from groundwater supplies during the ensuing fiscal year, and whether any other actions under Section 60224 should be undertaken during the ensuing fiscal year, the estimated costs thereof, and the estimated additional rate of replenishment assessment required to be levied upon the production of groundwater from the groundwater supplies within the district during the ensuing fiscal year for those purposes. (q) Whether any program for removal of contaminants or other actions under Section 60224 should be a multiyear program or is a continuation of a previously authorized multiyear program. (r) The amount, if any, by which the estimated reserve funds on hand at the end of the current fiscal year will exceed the annual reserve fund limit determined pursuant to Section 60290.
60316. Based on the findings pursuant to Section 60315, the board shall, by resolution, determine all of the following: (a) What portion, if any, of the estimated cost of purchasing water for replenishment for the ensuing fiscal year shall be paid for by a replenishment assessment. (b) What portion, not exceeding 25 percent of the above portion, of the estimated cost of purchasing in the future that quantity of water which should be purchased during the ensuing water year, but which is estimated to be unavailable during that year, shall be raised by a replenishment assessment. (c) What portion of the estimated costs of removing contaminants from groundwater supplies and of taking other actions under Section 60224 during the ensuing fiscal year shall be paid for by a replenishment assessment. (d) What portion, if any, of the cost of a capital improvement project for replenishment purposes shall be paid for by a replenishment assessment. (e) What portion, if any, of the cost of a capital improvement project undertaken pursuant to Section 60224 shall be paid for by a replenishment assessment.
60317. If the board determines that a replenishment assessment shall be levied upon the production of groundwater from groundwater supplies within the district during the ensuing fiscal year, immediately following the making of that determination the board shall levy a replenishment assessment on the production of groundwater from the groundwater supplies within the district during the fiscal year commencing on July 1st next, and the replenishment assessment shall be fixed by the board at a uniform rate per acre-foot of groundwater so produced. The producers of that groundwater shall pay the replenishment assessment to the district at the times and in the manner provided in this division. That part of the assessment levied pursuant to the determination provided in subdivision (c) of Section 60316, exclusive of any part thereof for district administrative and overhead expenses, shall not exceed 50 percent of the average assessment levied for the current and four preceding fiscal years pursuant to determinations under subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 60316, exclusive of any part thereof for district administrative and overhead expenses.
60317.5. Except as set forth in this section, nothing in this division prevents the use of district funds from any source for powers and functions authorized under this division. That part of a replenishment assessment levied pursuant to determinations under subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 60316 shall not be utilized for the direct costs of prevention and removal of contaminants under subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 60224. Any part of a replenishment assessment levied pursuant to a determination under subdivision (c) of Section 60316 which is not expended may be obligated and expended for other uses authorized by Section 60224 after hearing and findings pursuant to Sections 60306 and 60315. Any part of a replenishment assessment levied pursuant to a determination under subdivision (c) of Section 60316 which remains unexpended and unobligated for five fiscal years after the last obligation thereof, or any shorter period which the board may by resolution determine, shall be deemed to have been levied for other costs and expenses for which a replenishment assessment is authorized under this division. Funds from a replenishment assessment, although restricted as to use, may be loaned for any use for which and within the monetary limits for which, such an assessment has been levied. Any such loan shall be for a period not longer than 18 months and shall bear interest, as nearly as practicable in the discretion of the board, at the rate which those funds might have otherwise been invested at the time of the loan.
60318. (a) If the board determines, by resolution, that there is a problem of groundwater contamination that a proposed program will remedy or ameliorate, an operator may make extractions of groundwater to remedy or ameliorate that problem exempt from any replenishment assessment if the water is not applied to beneficial surface use, its extractions are made in compliance with all the terms and conditions of the board resolution, and the board has determined in the resolution either of the following: (1) The groundwater to be extracted is unusable and cannot be economically blended for use with other water. (2) The proposed program involves extraction of usable water in the same quantity as will be returned to the underground without degradation of quality. (b) The resolution may provide those terms and conditions the board deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, restrictions on the quantity of extractions to be so exempted, limitations on time, periodic reviews, requirement of submission of test results from a laboratory holding a valid certification or accreditation as required by Section 13176, and any other relevant terms or conditions. Upon written notice to the operator involved, the board may rescind or modify its resolution. The rescission or modification of the resolution shall apply to groundwater extractions occurring more than 10 days after the rescission or modification. Notice of rescission or modification shall be either mailed first-class mail, postage prepaid, at least two weeks prior to the meeting of the board at which the rescission or modification will be made to the address of record of the operator or personally delivered two weeks prior to the meeting. All board determinations shall be final.
Chapter 4. Collection Of Assessments
Ca Codes (wat:60325-60329) Water Code
Section 60325-60329
60325. The district, after the levying of the replenishment assessment, shall give notice thereof to the operators of all water-producing facilities in the district as disclosed by the records of such district, which notice shall state the rate of replenishment assessment for each acre-foot of ground water to be produced during the ensuing fiscal year. The notice may be sent by postal card or by other first-class mail with postage prepaid by the district.
60326. The operator of each water-producing facility within the district, on or before the last day of the month immediately following the respective quarterly periods ending March 31st, June 30th, September 30th, and December 31st of each year, shall file with the district a sworn statement setting forth the total production in acre-feet of ground water from such water-producing facility during the respective quarterly periods immediately preceding the filing of the respective statements, a general description or number locating such water-producing facility, and the method or basis of the computation of such ground water production. Each statement also shall contain such other information as the district may require. The first such statement required to be filed after the formation of such district shall cover the first calendar quarter commencing not less than thirty (30) days after such formation. If the board by its resolution determines that additional reports or statements are necessary or useful to carry out the purposes of this act and to administer the replenishment of the ground water supplies within the district, then the board shall by its resolution so declare and shall give notice of the adoption of said resolution by immediately publishing the same in each affected county pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code. Effective thirty (30) days after such publication, the operator of each water-producing facility in such district shall file with the district the report or statement required by such resolution, at such times and in such manner and form as are provided in such resolution.
60326.1. Notwithstanding Section 60326, the operator of each water-producing facility in the Water Replenishment District of Southern California shall file with the district, by the last day of the month following the statement period, a sworn statement declaring all of the following: (a) The facility's total groundwater production, measured in acre-feet, during the month preceding the filing of the statement. (b) A general description or number locating the facility. (c) The method used to compute the groundwater production. (d) Other information that the district may require.
60327. Any replenishment assessment levied pursuant to this act shall be due and payable to the district by each producer in quarterly installments on the last day for filing the statement of the production of ground water from the water-producing facility operated by such producer during the quarterly period required to be covered by such statement. The amount so due and payable shall be computed by multiplying the production in acre-feet of ground water so produced from such water-producing facility, as reported in such statement, by the rate of the replenishment assessment fixed and levied by the board of the district for the fiscal year in which such production shall occur.
60327.1. Notwithstanding Section 60327, each producer shall pay the Water Replenishment District of Southern California a replenishment assessment, imposed pursuant to this act, in monthly installments due on the last day for filing the groundwater production statement required by Section 60326.1. The assessment amount shall be computed by multiplying the facility's stated groundwater production, measured in acre-feet, by the replenishment assessment rate imposed by the district board for the fiscal year in which the production occurs.
60328. The board shall authorize, and the district shall make, refunds in whole or in part of replenishment assessments theretofore paid, to any producer who has erroneously overstated his production of ground water in any sworn statement for a quarterly period required under the provisions of Section 60326, and who has overpaid his replenishment assessment for that quarter, but only upon compliance by the producer with the procedure hereinafter set forth and within the time hereinafter provided. Any such producer, within one year of the last day for filing of the said sworn statement for the quarterly period in question, may file a verified application with the district on a form to be furnished by the district, containing such information as the district may require, requesting a refund of that portion of any replenishment assessment claimed to have been paid by reason of that producer's erroneous overstatement of ground water production. If incomplete information is contained in said application, or if the board desires other or further information than called for by that application, the same shall also be furnished by a verified statement within 30 days of mailing of written notice of request therefor to the producer at his address as shown by the district's records, or the application shall be deemed abandoned. Such request by the board shall not cause any application otherwise timely filed to be considered as not filed within said one-year period. The board may authorize, and the district may pay, any refund claimed without a hearing thereon, but no application shall be denied in whole or in part without a hearing being accorded to the applicant in which he shall have the burden of proof. Any determination by the board on any matter in connection with said application shall be final and conclusive upon the producer. Any refund authorized to be paid under the provisions of this section may be paid only out of moneys realized from replenishment assessments levied pursuant to Section 60317, then or thereafter raised. Upon election of the producer, any refund determined by the board to be owing may be credited to the producer against any subsequent replenishment assessments which might become due and owing from him. No refunds shall be made except as authorized by this section.
60328.1. The district shall apply the estimated fiscal yearend balance in excess of the amount permitted in Section 60290 to a replenishment assessment rate reduction or to the purchase of water in the succeeding fiscal year.
60329. The board, by action uniformly applicable as to any quarter, and adopted prior to the commencement of the quarter, may provide that there shall not be due or payable any quarterly installment of less than three dollars ($3) otherwise payable by a producer under Section 60327 with respect to production of groundwater from all water-producing facilities operated by the producer during the quarterly period.
Chapter 5. Penalties And Exemptions
Ca Codes (wat:60335-60343) Water Code
Section 60335-60343
60335. If any producer shall knowingly fail to pay a replenishment assessment within 30 days of when due, such producer shall become liable to the district for interest at the rate of 1 percent per month on the delinquent amount of the assessment.
60336. Should any operator of a water-producing facility knowingly fail to register his water-producing facility or knowingly fail to file the ground water production statement, or knowingly fail to file and furnish any other reports or statements required by resolution of the board adopted pursuant to Section 60326, he shall, in addition to interest as provided in Section 60335, become liable to the district for a penalty of one hundred fifty dollars ($150).
60337. The board, at the time of fixing the replenishment assessment rate, may provide by resolution that any producer operating a water-producing facility having a discharge opening not greater than two inches in diameter and providing ground water for domestic or irrigation uses on an area not exceeding one acre in extent, shall pay the amount fixed in such resolution as the replenishment assessment to be paid by such producer. No sworn statement as to the production of ground water from such water-producing facility need be filed.
60339. (a) The superior court of the county in which the major portion of the district lies may issue a temporary restraining order upon the filing by the district with the court of a verified petition or complaint setting forth that the person named therein as defendant is the operator of a water-producing facility which has not been registered with the district or that the defendant is delinquent in the payment of a replenishment assessment. The temporary restraining order shall be returnable to the court on or before ten (10) days after its issuance. (b) The court may issue and grant an injunction restraining and prohibiting the named defendant from the operation of any water-producing facility when it is established by the preponderance of the evidence at a hearing that the defendant has failed to register the water-producing facility with the district or that the defendant is delinquent in the payment of a replenishment assessment. The court may provide that the injunction so made and issued shall be stayed for a period not to exceed 10 days to permit the defendant to register the water-producing facility or to pay the delinquent replenishment assessment. (c) Service of process shall be made by posting a copy of the summons and complaint upon the water-producing facility or the parcel of land upon which the water-producing facility is located and by personal service of summons and complaint upon the named defendant. (d) The right to proceed for injunctive relief as provided in this section shall be in addition to any other right which may be provided elsewhere in this act or which may be otherwise allowed by law. The procedure provided in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 525) of Title 7 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure regarding injunctions shall be followed except insofar as it may be otherwise provided in this section.
60340. If the board of a district shall have probable cause to believe that the production of ground water from any water-producing facility is in excess of that disclosed by the sworn statements covering such water-producing facility, or if no statements are filed covering a water-producing facility, the board of such district may cause an investigation and report to be made concerning the production of ground water from such water-producing facility. The board of the district may fix the amount of ground water production from any such water-producing facility at an amount not to exceed the maximum production capacity of such water-producing facility; provided, however, where a water-measuring device is permanently attached thereto, the record of production as disclosed by such water-measuring device shall be presumed to be accurate and the burden is upon the district to establish to the contrary. After such determination has been made by the board of the district, a written notice thereof shall be mailed to the operator of such water-producing facility at his address as shown by the district's records. Any such determination made by the district shall be conclusive on the operator, and on any producer producing water from such water-producing facility, and the replenishment assessment based thereon, together with interest and penalties, shall be payable forthwith, unless such operator or producer shall file with the board of directors of the district within ten (10) days after the mailing of such notice a written protest setting forth the ground or grounds for protesting the amount of production so fixed or the replenishment assessment, interest, and penalties so levied thereon. Upon the filing of such protest, said board shall hold a hearing at which time the total amount of the ground water production and the replenishment assessment thereon shall be determined, and the interest and penalties fixed, which action shall be conclusive if based upon substantial evidence. A notice of such hearing shall be mailed to protestant at least 10 days before the date fixed for the hearing. Notice of the determination by the board shall be mailed to each protestant. The producer shall have 20 days from the date of mailing of such notice to pay the replenishment assessment, interest and penalties so fixed by the board.
60341. The district may bring a suit in the court having jurisdiction against any producer of ground water from the ground water supplies within the district for the collection of any delinquent replenishment assessment, interest, or penalties. The court having jurisdiction of the suit may, in addition to any judgment, award interest and costs on any judgment as allowed by law. Should the district seek an attachment against the property of any named defendant therein, the district shall not be required to furnish bond or other undertaking as provided in Part 2, Title 7, Chapter 4 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
60342. It shall be unlawful to produce groundwater from any water-producing facility within any district from and after one year following the adoption of the resolution provided for in Section 60305 hereof, unless such water-producing facility shall have a water-measuring device affixed thereto capable of registering the accumulated amount of groundwater produced therefrom. The board by resolution may extend such date on a year-to-year basis upon its determination that availability, price of water-measuring devices, or other circumstances justify such extension. Should the date be extended, notice thereof shall be published in the district pursuant to Section 6066 of the Government Code, such publication to be completed not less than two months prior to the date so extended. This section shall not be applicable to any operator of a water-producing facility having a discharge opening two inches or less in diameter and providing groundwater for domestic or irrigation uses on an area not exceeding one acre in extent, who is required to pay a replenishment assessment in an amount fixed by resolution of the board of the district as hereinabove in this act provided. Violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail for not to exceed six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each day of operation of a water-producing facility in violation hereof shall constitute a separate offense.
60343. If another public entity, or public entities, or a watermaster, or watermasters, appointed in one or more court adjudications, or any combination of the foregoing (hereafter "other regulator or regulators") is monitoring by appropriate means the water production of substantially all water producers within the district, the board may, by resolution, indefinitely suspend the date for affixing a water-measuring device as referenced in Section 60342. The suspension does not affect any requirements of any other regulator or regulators. The suspension may be revoked, and the date for affixing water measuring devices established, by further board resolution. All resolutions adopted under this section shall be published in the district pursuant to Section 6006 of the Government Code. In the case of any revocation, the publication shall be completed not less than two months prior to the operative date of the revocation. In the case of any revocation, notice of the operative date shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to operators at any address of record within the district within the time required for publication, but no defect in or failure to mail the notice to any operator affects the operative date of the revocation.
Chapter 6. Adjudication
Ca Codes (wat:60350-60352) Water Code
Section 60350-60352
60350. Commencing with the third fiscal year following a final adjudication of all or substantially all of the rights to extract ground water and a determination of the natural safe yield of the ground water supplies within the district, and a determination of the amount or extent to which the rights to extract ground water so adjudicated may be exercised without exceeding the natural safe yield of such ground water supplies, the board of such district shall recognize such judicial determination by exempting from replenishment assessments the amount of water pumped by each person whose rights have been so adjudicated which does not exceed his proportionate share of the natural safe yield of the ground water supplies of the district, as so adjudicated from time to time by the court having jurisdiction over such adjudication proceeding. The replenishment assessment shall thenceforth be levied on each producer by multiplying the production in acre-feet of ground water so produced by such producer's water-producing facility in excess of his said adjudicated share of the natural safe yield by the rate of the replenishment assessment fixed and levied by the board for the fiscal year in which such production shall occur. Upon such final adjudication, the board may, and within 90 days after receipt of a written notice from a producer shall, by resolution make a determination whether the adjudication will invoke the provisions of this section as of the beginning of the third fiscal year. Such determination is subject at any time to review de novo by any court of competent jurisdiction in any action for declaratory relief, or other appropriate action.
60351. To the extent that ground water supplies are replenished under this act no person shall acquire any property or other right in the waters distributed by the district for replenishment purposes.
60352. To the extent that the replenishment assessment after adjudication hereunder shifts from all producers to those who extract water in excess of their respective shares of the natural safe yield of the ground water supplies within the district as so adjudicated, such replenishment assessment shall be deemed to benefit those persons who continue to pump and extract ground water in excess of their adjudicated shares of the natural safe yield. Inasmuch as such persons must buy supplemental water or be in contempt of the court's order limiting their extraction of ground water, they shall be deemed to benefit by the payment of a replenishment assessment which is used to purchase water to supplement the natural supplies of ground water available for use.
Ca Codes (wat:60370-60388) Water Code
Section 60370-60388
60370. Any territory including unincorporated territory or incorporated territory or a part of either, and lying within one or more counties of this State may be annexed to a water replenishment district under the provisions of this part.
60371. A petition, which may consist of any number of separate instruments, shall be filed with the secretary of the district, signed by registered voters residing within the boundaries of the area proposed to be annexed equal in number to at least 10 per centum of the number of such voters residing within the area so proposed to be annexed.
60372. Such petition shall set forth and describe the boundaries of the area proposed to be annexed and shall contain a prayer that such area be annexed to such district.
60373. The text of such petition and a notice stating the time of the meeting at which the same will be presented shall be published in the affected county pursuant to Section 6066 of the Government Code. When contained upon one or more instruments, one copy only of such petition need be published. No more than five of the names attached to the petition need appear in the publication of the petition and notice, but the number of signers shall be stated. Publication shall be complete at least seven, but not more than 28, days before the time at which the petition is to be presented to the board.
60374. Within 10 days of the date of filing of such petition the secretary of the district shall examine the same and ascertain whether or not such petition is signed by the requisite number of voters.
60375. When the secretary of the district has completed his examination of the petition, he shall attach to the same his certificate, properly dated, showing the result of such examination, and if from such examination he shall find that said petition is signed by the requisite number of voters or is not so signed, he shall certify that the same is sufficient or insufficient, as the case may be.
60376. If, by the certificate of the secretary of the district, the petition is found to be insufficient, he shall also certify to the number of voters required to make such petition sufficient, and it may be amended by filing a supplemental petition or petitions within 10 days of the date of such certificate.
60377. The secretary of the district shall, within 10 days after the filing of such supplemental petition or petitions, make like examination of the same and certify to the result of such examination as hereinbefore provided.
60378. If his certificate shall show any such petition, or such petition as amended, to be insufficient, it shall be filed by him with the board of the district and kept as a public record, without prejudice, however, to the filing of a new petition to the same effect, but if, by the certificate of the secretary, such petition, or petition as amended, is shown to be sufficient, the secretary shall present the same to the board without delay.
60379. If any supplemental petition be filed, all the signatures appended to the petition or to the supplemental petition or petitions shall be considered in determining the number of voters signing the petition.
60380. After an election for the annexation of such area to the district the sufficiency of such petition in any respect shall not be subject to judicial review or be otherwise questioned.
60381. Such petition may be granted by ordinance of the board of such district. No petition for inclusion may be granted unless and until the board finds that the persons and property within the territory proposed to be included will benefit directly or indirectly from the use of or right to use the ground water supplies within the district and the replenishment thereof. The petition may be granted in its entirety or only as to the part of the territory proposed to be included for which such a finding of benefit is made. If the petition be denied, either as to the whole or part of the territory to be included, no new petition for the inclusion of such territory shall be filed within six months after such denial. In granting such petition, such board of directors may fix in said ordinance the terms and conditions upon which such annexation may occur, and such terms and conditions may provide, among other things, for the levy by such district of special taxes upon the real property and improvements thereon, but not on personal property within such annexed area or areas in addition to the taxes elsewhere in this act authorized to be levied by such district, and in case such terms and conditions shall provide for the levy of such special taxes, the board, in fixing such terms and conditions, shall specify the aggregate amount to be so raised and the number of years prescribed for raising such aggregate sum and that substantially equal annual levies will be made for the purpose of raising such sum over the period so prescribed.
60382. If such petition is granted, the proposition of such annexation subject to the terms and conditions so fixed, shall be submitted to the vote of the voters in the proposed addition, at an election called by the board and held, as herein provided, within 70 days after the effective date of such ordinance.
60383. Notice of such election shall be published in the affected county pursuant to Section 6063 of the Government Code. Publication shall be complete at least seven, but not more than 28, days prior to the date fixed for such election. Such notice shall describe the boundaries of the area or areas so proposed to be annexed and shall designate such territory by some appropriate name, or other words of identification, by which such territory may be referred to and indicated upon the ballot to be used at any election at which the question of such annexation is submitted, as in this act provided.
60384. Such notice also shall contain the substance of the terms and conditions fixed by the board of directors, as herein provided.
60385. The measure so submitted at such election shall be stated on the ballot substantially as follows: "Shall ____ (giving the name or other designation of the territory proposed to be annexed, as stated in the notice of election) be annexed to ____ (name of water replenishment district) subject to the terms and conditions fixed by the board of directors of said district " At the right of such proposition there shall be printed the words "yes" and "no" with voting squares.
60386. The board shall canvass the votes cast at such election and, if such proposition is approved by a majority of the voters voting thereon at such election, the president and secretary of the board of directors shall certify that fact to the Secretary of State and shall record a certificate stating that such proposition was adopted with the county recorder of each affected county in which such district is located.
60387. Upon receipt of such last-mentioned certificate, the Secretary of State shall, within 10 days, issue his certificate reciting the passage of said ordinance and the addition of said area or areas to said district. A copy of said certificate shall be transmitted to, and filed with, the county clerk of each affected county in which such district is situated.
60388. From and after the date of such certificate, the area or areas named therein shall be deemed added to, and shall form a part of, said district, and the taxable property therein shall be subject to taxation thereafter for the purposes of said district, including the payment of bonds and other obligations of such district at the time authorized or outstanding, and the board of the district shall be empowered to do all things necessary to enforce and make effective the terms and conditions of annexation fixed as hereinabove authorized.
Chapter 2. Exclusion
Ca Codes (wat:60400-60417) Water Code
Section 60400-60417
60400. Territory included within any district may be excluded from such district and the parcels so to be excluded need not be contiguous one with the other.
60401. A petition, which may consist of any number of separate instruments, shall be filed with the secretary of the district, signed by voters residing within the boundaries of the area proposed to be excluded equal in number to at least ten (10) per centum of the number of such voters voting for all candidates for the Office of Governor of this State at the last general election prior to the filing of such petition.
60402. Such petition shall set forth and describe the boundaries of the area proposed to be excluded, shall state the reason for proposing such exclusion, and shall contain a prayer that such area be excluded from the district.
60403. Within ten (10) days of the date of the filing of such petition the secretary of the district shall examine the same and ascertain whether or not such petition is signed by the requisite number of voters.
60404. When the secretary of the district has completed his examination of the petition, he shall attach to the same his certificate, properly dated, showing the result of such examination; and if from such examination he shall find that said petition is signed by the requisite number of voters, or is not so signed, he shall certify that the same is sufficient or insufficient, as the case may be.
60405. If, by the certificate of the secretary of the district, the petition is found to be insufficient, he shall also certify to the number of voters required to make such petition sufficient, and it may be amended by filing a supplemental petition or petitions within ten (10) days of the date of such certificate. The secretary of the district shall, within ten (10) days after the filing of such supplemental petition or petitions, make like examination of the same and certify to the result of such examination as hereinbefore provided.
60406. If any supplemental petition be filed, all the signatures appended to the petition or to the supplemental petition or petitions shall be considered in determining the number of voters signing the petition.
60407. If his certificate shall show any such petition, or such petition as amended, to be insufficient, it shall be filed by him with the board of the district and kept as a public record, without prejudice, however, to the filing of a new petition to the same effect, but if, by the certificate of the secretary, such petition, or petition as amended, is shown to be sufficient, the secretary shall present the same to the board without delay.
60408. The text of such petition and a notice stating the time of the meeting at which the same will be presented shall be published in the district pursuant to Section 6066 of the Government Code. When contained upon more than one instrument, one copy only of such petition need be published. No more than five of the names attached to the petition need appear in such publication of the petition and notice, but the number of signers shall be stated. Publication shall be complete at least seven, but not more than 28, days before the time at which the petition is to be presented to the board.
60409. After an election for the exclusion of such area from the district the sufficiency of such petition in any respect shall not be subject to judicial review or be otherwise questioned.
60410. The board of any district, by resolution, may initiate proceedings for the exclusion of territory from such district. Such resolution shall describe the boundaries of the area proposed to be excluded, shall state that neither the persons nor property within the area proposed to be excluded benefit directly or indirectly from the use of or right to use the ground water supplies within the district and the replenishment thereof, shall require all persons interested in the proposed exclusion to appear before the board and be heard as to why said area should not be so excluded, shall fix the time of the meeting of the board at which the persons so interested will be heard, and shall direct the secretary of the district to give notice thereof. The secretary thereupon shall cause the text of said resolution and a notice of the time and place of said hearing to be published in the district pursuant to Section 6066 of the Government Code. Publication shall be complete at least seven, but not more than 28, days before the time so fixed for the hearing.
60411. After an election for the exclusion of such area from the district the sufficiency of such resolution shall not be subject to judicial review or be otherwise questioned.
60412. If the proceedings for exclusion have been initiated by petition, such petition may be granted by ordinance of the board of directors of such district. If such proceedings have been initiated by resolution, the board shall hear all persons interested in the proposed exclusion who appear at the hearing, which may be adjourned from time to time, and after the conclusion of the hearing, the board may determine by ordinance that such area should be excluded from the district. No petition for exclusion may be granted and no ordinance of exclusion adopted by the board if such proceedings have been initiated by resolution unless and until the board finds that neither the persons nor property within the area proposed to be excluded benefit directly or indirectly from the use of or right to use the ground water supplies within the district and the replenishment thereof.
60413. If such petition is granted, or if such determination is made, the proposition of such exclusion shall be submitted to the vote of the voters within the area proposed to be excluded, at an election called by the board and held, as herein provided, within 70 days after the effective date of such ordinance.
60414. Notice of such election shall be published in the district pursuant to Section 6063 of the Government Code. Publication shall be complete at least seven, but not more than 28, days prior to the date fixed for such election. Such notice shall describe the boundaries of the area so proposed to be excluded and shall deignate such area by some appropriate name, or other words of identification, by which such area may be referred to and indicated upon the ballot to be used at any election at which the question of such exclusion is submitted, as in this act provided. The measure so submitted at such election shall be stated on the ballot substantially as follows: "Shall ____ (giving the name or other designation of the area proposed to be excluded, as stated in the notice of election) be excluded from ____ (name of water replenishment district) " At the right of such proposition there shall be printed the words "yes" and "no" with voting squares.
60415. The board shall canvass the votes cast at such election and, if the proposition is approved by a majority of the voters voting thereon at such election, the president and secretary of the board of directors shall certify that fact to the Secretary of State and shall record a certificate stating that such proposition was adopted with the county recorder of each affected county in which the district is located.
60416. Upon receipt of such last-mentioned certificate, the Secretary of State shall, within 10 days, issue his certificate reciting the passage of said ordinance and the exclusion of said area from the district. A copy of said certificate shall be transmitted to, and filed with, the county clerk of each affected county in which such district is situated.
60417. From and after the date of such certificate, the area named therein shall be deemed excluded from, and shall no longer form a part of, said district, but the taxable property within such excluded area shall continue taxable by such district for the purpose of paying the bonded or other indebtedness of such district outstanding or contracted for at the time of such exclusion and until such bonded or other indebtedness shall have been satisfied, to the same extent that such property would be taxable for such purpose if such exclusion had not occurred.
Chapter 2.5. Consolidation
Ca Codes (wat:60420) Water Code
Section 60420
60420. A district may be consolidated in the same manner as is provided for the consolidation of county water districts in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 32650) of Part 8 of Division 12.
Chapter 3. Disincorporation
Ca Codes (wat:60430-60449) Water Code
Section 60430-60449
60430. A petition may be filed with the county elections official of the principal county in which the district is located, signed by at least 25 percent of the voters of the district applying for disorganization and disincorporation of the district, and briefly stating the reasons therefor.
60431. Upon the filing of a petition the county elections official shall examine the petition within 30 days and ascertain whether or not the petition is signed by the requisite number of voters.
60432. When the county clerk has completed his examination of the petition he shall attach to the same his certificate properly dated, showing the result of such examination, and if from such examination he shall find that said petition is signed by the requisite number of voters residing within the boundaries of such district, or is not so signed, he shall certify that the same is sufficient or insufficient, as the case may be.
60433. After an election for the disincorporation of a district hereunder the sufficiency of such petition in any respect shall not be subject to judicial review or be otherwise questioned.
60434. If by the certificate of the county elections official the petition is shown to be sufficient, the county elections official of the principal county shall present the petition to the board of supervisors of the principal county without delay. When the petition is presented by the county elections official, the board of supervisors shall give notice of an election to be held in the district for the purpose of determining whether or not the petition shall be disincorporated and dissolved; provided, however, that in the event the district shall have issued bonds, the board of supervisors shall not consider the petition or take any action hereunder until evidence shall be furnished showing the bonds to have been fully satisfied.
60435. Said notice of election shall be published pursuant to Section 6063 of the Government Code in a newspaper published in said district and determined by said board most likely to give notice to those interested in said hearing. Publication shall be complete at least seven, but not more than 28, days prior to the date fixed for the election. The notice shall state that the question of disincorporating said corporation shall be submitted to the voters of said district at the time appointed for such election, and voters shall be invited thereby to vote upon the proposition by placing upon their ballots the cross as provided by law after the words "for disincorporation" or "against disincorporation."
60436. The board of supervisors shall cause a copy of said notice to be mailed by the clerk of said board to each of the directors of said district, within five days after the date of the first publication thereof, and no election shall be had until proof of such mailing is furnished by affidavit of the clerk of said board.
60437. Such election shall be held and conducted in the same manner as the election on the organization of said district, as nearly as practicable.
60438. Within seven days after the date of said election, the board of supervisors shall proceed to canvass the vote cast thereat; if it be found by the canvass of said votes that less than a majority of the votes cast were in favor of disincorporation, said board of supervisors shall declare the petition for disincorporation denied.
60439. In case it should appear from said canvass of said votes that a majority of all the votes cast were in favor of disincorporation, said board of supervisors shall make and cause to be entered upon the records of their proceedings an order that the petition for such disincorporation be granted, and declaring that such water replenishment district be disincorporated; said order to take effect at the time hereinafter provided.
60440. The board of supervisors shall in case the district is disincorporated, forthwith cause its county elections official to make and transmit to the Secretary of State a certified copy of the notice of election hereinbefore provided for, and a statement of the number of voters voting against the disincorporation.
60441. Twenty days from and after the holding of the election, in case a majority of said votes were cast in favor of said disincorporation, said district shall be forever disincorporated.
60442. Upon the disincorporation of any district in the manner hereinbefore provided for, the board of supervisors shall forthwith, after ascertaining by said canvass that the disincorporation has been carried, determine the amount of the indebtedness of said district, the amount of money in the treasury thereof and all indebtedness due or coming due the said district, and the directors of said district shall furnish the said board of supervisors with a statement showing said amount of indebtedness, the said amount of money in the treasury and all indebtedness due or coming due said district, and said district shall before the expiration of 30 days turn over to the treasurer of said county all moneys of said district in his possession, and said county treasurer shall place said money in a special fund to be drawn upon as hereinafter provided for.
60443. Upon the disincorporation of said district every public officer of said district shall immediately turn over to the board of supervisors of the principal county in which said district is situated, all public property of every nature and description in their possession, and including all public records and data of every nature and description.
60444. Nothing contained in this act shall be held to relieve said district, or the territory included within it, from any liability or any debt contracted by said district prior to its disincorporation.
60445. All warrants for said indebtedness shall be drawn on order of the board of supervisors of the principal county in which said district is situated, on the fund hereinabove provided for in the county treasury.
60446. All moneys paid into the county treasury under the provisions of this act shall be placed in the special fund hereinbefore provided for. If at any time after the disincorporation of said district it shall be found that there is not sufficient money in the treasury to the credit of the fund hereinbefore provided, with which to pay any indebtedness of said district, said board of supervisors shall have the power, and it shall be their duty, to levy upon, and there shall be collected from, the property within the territory formerly included within said district subject to taxation for the indebtedness, a tax or taxes sufficient in amount to pay the said indebtedness as the same shall become due; such tax or taxes, assessments and collections shall be made in the same manner and at the same time that other taxes of each affected county are levied and collected, and they shall be an additional tax within said territory for the payment of said debts.
60447. If after payment of all debts of said district there shall remain any surplus in the hands of said county treasurer to the credit of the fund hereinbefore mentioned, the board of supervisors shall appropriate said surplus and declare a dividend pro rata to the taxpayers of said district duly paid, and said taxpayers shall have the right to have the amount of such pro rata dividends refunded to them on demand, and the said board of supervisors shall refund such pro rata to said taxpayers and each thereof.
60448. The board of supervisors of the principal county in which any such district has been disincorporated, shall have the power and it shall be the duty of said board, if the board of directors of such district shall fail or refuse to return to said board the statement of said amounts as hereinbefore in this act provided, to ascertain the indebtedness, other than the bonded indebtedness, of said district at the time of its disincorporation, the amount of money in its treasury and the amount due it at the said time; said board of supervisors shall make provision for the collection of the amounts due to said district, for the closing up of its affairs, and any act or acts necessary for said purposes not otherwise herein provided for, shall upon the order of said board of supervisors directing the same, be as fully done and performed and with as full effect as if the same had been performed by the proper officers of said district before disincorporation, and said county shall succeed to and possess all the right of said district in and to said indebtedness, and shall have the power to sue for or otherwise collect any such debts in the name of said county, and all costs and expenses of ascertaining the facts hereinbefore mentioned, and all other costs and expenses incurred by the board of supervisors in the execution of the orders and duties of said board of supervisors provided for in this act, shall be paid out of the special fund in this act provided for.
60449. It is the intent of the Legislature that no district shall be disincorporated until all bonded indebtedness shall have been fully paid, and by the word "indebtedness" as used herein is meant all indebtedness other than said bonded indebtedness unless the latter is expressly used.
Part 8. Competitive Bidding
Ca Codes (wat:60600-60622) Water Code
Section 60600-60622
60600. This part applies to contracts by water replenishment districts established pursuant to this division.
60602. (a) Before making any contract totaling twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or more within any 12-month period, the district shall advertise for bids. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), if a proposed expenditure described in the annual district budget for any item of supplies or services equals or exceeds twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), the district shall advertise for bids before making any contract for that item during the year to which that budget applies. (c) This section does not apply to any of the following contracts: (1) The recruitment, hiring, and dismissal of district employees and officers. (2) Contracts with other public entities pursuant to subdivision (i) of Section 60230. (3) Contracts for which only per diem and travel expenses are paid and there is no payment for services rendered. (4) Contracts solely for the purpose of retaining expert witnesses for litigation. (5) Contracts for proprietary information or systems. (6) Contracts for professional services, including, but not limited to, architectural, engineering, environmental, land surveying, or construction project management services, that are let on the basis of demonstrated competence and on the professional qualifications necessary for the satisfactory performance of the services required pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 4525) of Division 5 of Title 1 of the Government Code. (7) Contracts for legal services that are let on the basis of demonstrated competence and on the professional qualifications necessary for the satisfactory performance of the services. (d) The district may adopt other procurement, advertising, and bidding rules that are more restrictive than those contained in the Public Contract Code and those more restrictive rules shall govern the procurement, advertising, and bidding practices of the district.
60604. When work is to be done, the district shall give notice calling for bids by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county once a week for four consecutive weeks.
60606. If less than the whole work provided for in the plans and specifications is to be done, the portion to be done must be particularly described in the notice.
60608. The notice shall set forth all of the following information: (a) Plans and specifications of the work to be done can be seen at the office of the district. (b) The board will receive sealed bids. (c) The contract will be let to the lowest responsible bidder. (d) The bids will be opened in public at a given time and place.
60610. (a) All bids for construction work shall be presented under sealed cover and shall be accompanied by one of the following forms of bidder's security: (1) Cash. (2) A cashier's check made payable to the district. (3) A certified check made payable to the district. (4) A bidder's bond executed by an admitted surety insurer, made payable to the district. (b) Upon an award to the lowest bidder, the security of an unsuccessful bidder shall be returned in a reasonable period of time, but in no event shall that security be held by the district beyond 60 days from the time the award is made.
60612. The board may do any of the following: (a) Let the work to the lowest responsible bidder. (b) Reject any or all bids and readvertise for proposals. (c) Proceed to construct the work under its own superintendence.
60614. In case of an emergency relating to the repair or replacement of district facilities, if notice for bids to let contracts will not be given, the district shall comply with Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 22050) of the Public Contract Code.
60616. Contracts for the purchase of materials only shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, except that the board may reject any or all bids for the furnishing of materials only and thereafter either readvertise for bids or solicit offers from not less than three responsible persons to furnish materials.
60618. Upon receipt of an offer for a less price than that specified in the lowest rejected bid, the board may enter into a contract for the furnishing of the materials with the person who has offered them at the lowest price.
60620. Any person to whom a contract is awarded shall enter into a bond, to be approved by the district, payable to the district for its use, for 25 percent of the amount of the contract price, conditioned for the full and faithful performance of the contract. The work shall be done under the direction and to the satisfaction of, and be approved by, the district.
60622. (a) All contracts and other documents executed by the district that require or authorize the district to expend ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or more shall be authorized by the board of directors and signed by the president and the secretary except that the board may, by resolution for a specific expenditure, authorize the district manager or other district representative to sign contracts and other documents in the name of the district, not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000). (b) All contracts and other documents executed by the district that require or authorize the district to expend less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) may be approved and signed by the district manager or other district representative authorized by the board of directors, provided, however, that the manager may not execute multiple contracts or documents on behalf of the district with the same person or entity within a one-year period that cumulatively total ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or more, without the board's prior approval.
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