Source: http://lawdelta.org/index.php?title=Law:Division_7._Public_Utility_District_Act_(California)&oldid=2605
Timestamp: 2016-07-24 03:00:59
Document Index: 169110892

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 8', 'art 6', 'art 7', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 4', 'art 5']

Ca Codes (puc:15501-15507) Public Utilities Code Section 15501-15507 15501. This division may be cited as "The Public Utility District Act." 15502. Unless the context otherwise requires, the provisions of this article govern the construction of this division. 15503. "District" means a public utility district formed pursuant to this division. 15504. "Board" means the board of directors of a district. 15505. "Elector," "voter," or "qualified elector," means a voter whose name appears on the great register of the county in which the district is located, or any supplement thereto, allowed by law to be used to determine the eligibility of persons to vote at municipal or county elections, and whose address as it appears on the great register or supplement is in the same unincorporated territory as the address given by him on the certificate or petition that is signed by him. 15506. "Original and primary proposition" means the proposition to incorporate the proposed district with all of the proposed territory joining in the proceedings and mentioned and described in the several petitions presented by the electors. 15507. "Person" means an individual, a firm or a copartnership. Article 2. General Provisions
Ca Codes (puc:15531-15533) Public Utilities Code Section 15531-15533 15531. The great register or supplement thereto, and certificates in due form of notaries public or verification deputies acknowledging the signature of any voter to any petition or certificate pursuant to this division, are sufficient evidence for all purposes of this division. 15532. Nothing in this division shall be construed as repealing or modifying the provisions of any other law relating to public utility districts, except insofar as the provisions of such other law are inconsistent with the provisions of this division. 15533. Whenever all the territory comprising a district becomes part of a city, the legislative body of the city succeeds to the powers of the board of directors of the district and is thereafter for all purposes the board of directors. All property, records, and documents of the district shall be transferred and conveyed by the board of directors to the legislative body of such city. Chapter 2. Formation Of Districts
Ca Codes (puc:15701-15709) Public Utilities Code Section 15701-15709 15701. A district may be incorporated and managed in unincorporated territory pursuant to this division and may exercise the powers expressly granted. 15702. Whenever the people of unincorporated territory desire to organize a district, they shall present to the board of supervisors of the county within which the territory is situated a petition describing the territory, and signed by registered voters of the territory equal in number to 15 percent of all votes cast for all candidates for Governor within the same territory at the last preceding general election at which a Governor was elected. 15703. The petition may consist of any number of separate instruments, all of which shall constitute one petition. A separate petition is required from each unit of the proposed district. All unincorporated territory participating in the proceedings and situated in one county is a unit for purposes of the proceedings. No registered voter within any one unit of the proposed district shall sign a petition of any other unit of the proposed district. 15704. Each petition shall name or describe the territory within which the registered voters signing it reside. Every petition shall set forth the boundaries and name of the proposed district, which shall include the words "public utility district." Every petition shall contain a prayer that a public utility district comprising all of the proposed territory, or any portions thereof as are designated in the petitions as essential to its formation, be incorporated pursuant to this division. Every registered voter signing a petition shall write his or her address opposite his or her signature. 15705. The county elections official shall within 30 days examine and verify the signatures to the petition and certify the result of the examination to the board of supervisors. 15706. If the county elections official, by his or her certificate, finds that a petition is insufficient, he or she shall certify to the number of additional signatures of qualified electors required to make the petition sufficient, and the petition may be amended by a supplemental petition filed within 10 days from the date of the certificate. Within 10 days after a supplemental petition has been filed, the county elections official shall examine it and certify to the result of the examination. If this certificate shows the petition as amended to be insufficient, it shall be filed by the county elections official in his or her office and kept as a public record, without prejudice to the filing of any other petition to the same effect not less than six months thereafter. If the certificate shows the petition or petition as amended to be sufficient, the county elections official shall present it to the board of supervisors without delay with his or her certificate attached and properly dated. 15707. If a supplemental petition is filed, all signatures appended to the petition and to the supplemental petition shall be considered in determining the number of qualified electors signing the petition. 15708. After the election for the incorporation of the proposed district, the sufficiency of the petition in any respects shall not be subject to judicial review or otherwise questioned. 15709. Notwithstanding any provision of law, for purposes of this division all territory in the Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District shall be deemed to be solely within the County of Alpine, which shall be the principal county for purposes of formation of the district and which shall have jurisdiction to approve, disapprove, and carry out all matters pertaining to formation of the district; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall limit or impair the authority of the Board of Supervisors of the County of El Dorado or the County of Amador to disapprove, by resolution, formation of all or any part of the Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District within its territory any time prior to final approval of the district by the County of Alpine. If either county so disapproves, any territory designated by the resolution of disapproval shall be excluded from the boundaries of the district. If the Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District is not incorporated on or before March 1, 1986, this section is repealed on that date. Article 2. Hearing
Ca Codes (puc:15731-15738) Public Utilities Code Section 15731-15738 15731. By resolution each board of supervisors to which a petition is presented shall fix a time for a hearing, which shall be within 15 days after final publication of notice. 15732. Within 10 days after a petition is presented to it, the board of supervisors shall publish a copy of the petition, and a notice that the petition will be heard by the board at the time and place designated by the resolution. 15733. The hearing may be adjourned from time to time for the determination of facts, not exceeding two weeks in all. 15734. If the signatures attached to the petition are sufficient, no defect in the contents of the petition or in the title to or form of the notice shall vitiate any proceedings thereon. 15735. The publication of notice shall be pursuant to Section 6062 of the Government Code in a newspaper of general circulation, printed, published, and circulated in the respective unit of the unincorporated territory, or if no such newspaper is printed, published, and circulated in the territory, in a newspaper printed and published elsewhere in the county and deemed most likely to give notice to the electors of the territory. 15736. At the hearing or at any time prior thereto, any owner of taxable property within the proposed district may file a petition with the board of supervisors asking that the property described in the petition be excluded from the proposed district. If the board, after hearing, finds the described property will not be substantially benefited by its inclusion in the district, it may exclude such property. At the hearing the board shall make such changes in the proposed boundaries as it deems advisable and shall define and establish the boundaries. 15737. Any person owning land adjoining any land described in the petition, upon his verified application, in the discretion of the board, may have his land included within the proposed district. 15738. At the hearing the board shall determine whether or not the petition complies with the requirements set forth in this division and whether or not the notice has been published as required, and shall hear all competent and relevant testimony offered in support of or in opposition to the petition. If the board determines and finds from the evidence taken at the hearing that the proposed district as its boundaries are described in the petition or as changed by the board is uneconomic or infeasible, it may dismiss the petition, but, if the board determines and finds that the petition complies with the law and that the proposed district is economic and feasible, it shall call an election to be held in the proposed district for the purpose of determining whether or not the district shall be organizaed. Article 3. Election
Ca Codes (puc:15761-15765) Public Utilities Code Section 15761-15765 15761. The special election shall be called by ordinance by each board of supervisors. The ordinance shall specify the purpose and time of the election, establish the election precincts, and designate the polling places and the names of the election officers for each precinct. The election shall be held on the next established election date not less than 74 days after completion of publication of the ordinance. 15762. The ordinance calling the election shall be published in the unincorporated territory pursuant to Section 6062 of the Government Code. If no newspaper is printed, published, and circulated in the territory, publication shall be made in a newspaper printed and published elsewhere in the county and deemed most likely to give notice to the electors of the territory. The notice of election shall also be posted in at least two public places in each precinct within each unincorporated territory in which the election is held for at least 10 days prior to the election. 15762.1. Within five days after the district formation election has been called, the legislative body which has called the election shall transmit, by registered mail, a written notification of the election call to the executive officer of the local agency formation commission of the county or principal county in which the territory or major portion of the territory of the proposed district is located. Such written notice shall include the name and a description of the proposed district, and may be in the form of a certified copy of the resolution adopted by the legislative body calling the district formation election. The executive officer, within five days after being notified that a district formation election has been called, shall submit to the commission, for its approval or modification, an impartial analysis of the proposed district formation. The impartial analysis shall not exceed 500 words in length and shall include a specific description of the boundaries of the district proposed to be formed. The local agency formation commission, within five days after the receipt of the executive officer's analysis, shall approve or modify the analysis and submit it to the officials in charge of conducting the district formation election. 15762.2. The board of supervisors or any member or members of the board authorized by the board, or any individual voter or bona fide association of citizens entitled to vote on the district formation proposition, or any combination of such voters and associations of citizens, may file a written argument for or a written argument against the proposed district formation. Arguments shall not exceed 300 words in length and shall be filed with the officials in charge of conducting the election not less than 54 days prior to the date of the district formation election. 15762.3. If more than one argument for or more than one argument against the proposed district formation is filed with the election officials within the time prescribed, such election officials shall select one of the arguments for printing and distribution to the voters. In selecting the arguments, the election officials shall give preference and priority in the order named to the arguments of the following: (a) The board of supervisors or any member or members of the board authorized by the board. (b) Individual voters or bona fide associations of citizens or a combination of such voters and associations. 15762.4. The officials in charge of conducting the election shall cause a ballot pamphlet concerning the district formation proposition to be voted on to be printed and mailed to each voter entitled to vote on the district formation question. The ballot pamphlet shall contain the following in the order prescribed: (a) The complete text of the proposition. (b) The impartial analysis of the proposition prepared by the local agency formation commission. (c) The argument for the proposed district formation. (d) The argument against the proposed district formation. The election officials shall mail a ballot pamphlet to each voter entitled to vote in the district formation election at least 10 days prior to the date of the election. The ballot pamphlet is "official matter" within the meaning of Section 13303 of the Elections Code. 15763. The election shall be held and conducted, the returns canvassed, and the result declared by the board of supervisors in the manner provided by general law for such elections in the particulars in which provision is made therefor, and in all other respects in the manner provided by law for the holding of special elections within such counties. 15764. The proposition submitted at the election shall be stated upon the ballot substantially as follows: "Shall ________ public utility district (naming it) be organized pursuant to Division 7 of the Public Utilities Code. Yes ( ) No ( )" 15765. Within five days after the result of the election is declared, and the order is made where required, the chairman of the board of supervisors of each county in which the election is held shall make and execute a certificate, signed by him as such official and authenticated under the seal of the county, setting forth the proposition submitted to the electors, the fact of such submission, and the result of the election as so declared. The certificate shall be made and executed in duplicate, and shall be delivered in duplicate without delay to the board of supervisors of the county in which the proposed district, or the greater part of its population, is situated, or to the clerk of such board. Article 4. Establishment Of The District
Ca Codes (puc:15791-15798) Public Utilities Code Section 15791-15798 15791. The board of supervisors receiving the certificates delivered pursuant to Section 15765 shall meet and examine them within three weeks after all the elections are held. If it appears from the certificates that a majority of the votes cast at the election in each unincorporated territory in which such elections are held is in favor of the incorporation of the district, the board of supervisors shall so declare and shall state by order entered in its minutes the name and boundaries of the district, and that the district is formed pursuant to this division. 15792. If it appears from the certificates that a majority of the electors voting at the election has voted against the formation of the district, the proceedings shall fail entirely. 15793. When the board of supervisors has completed its examination of the certificates, and has made the order provided in Section 15791, it shall forthwith attach together the duplicate certificates in two rolls, each roll to contain one of each of the certificates and a copy of the order of the board of supervisors, duly certified under the hand and official seal of the clerk of the board of supervisors. 15794. The board of supervisors shall immediately deposit one roll for filing in the office of the Secretary of State, and cause the other roll to be recorded in the office of the recorder of each county in which any part of the district is situated and filed in the office of the county elections official of the county in which the district, or the greater part of its population, is situated. 15795. Upon the receipt of the duplicate roll the Secretary of State shall issue his certificate reciting that it is filed in his office and that the public utility district, naming it, is incorporated as a district pursuant to this division. The certificate shall be forwarded to the board of supervisors and by it held and delivered to the board of directors of the district after the election and organization of the board of directors. 15796. No charge shall be made by either the Secretary of State or any county recorder or county elections official for the services required of him or her under this article. 15797. From and after the date the duplicate roll is filed with the Secretary of State, the district is incorporated as a public utility district, with all the rights, privileges, and powers set forth in this division. 15798. The board may change the name of the district by adoption of an ordinance changing the name of the district and by giving notification of the name change to the State Controller, the State Board of Equalization, and the board of supervisors of each county which has land within the district. Article 5. Contest Of Incorporation
Ca Codes (puc:15821-15822) Public Utilities Code Section 15821-15822 15821. No informality in any proceeding or 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. Any proceedings wherein the validity of incorporation is sought to be denied shall be commenced within 20 days after the date of the certificate of incorporation, otherwise the incorporation and the legal existence of the district, and all proceedings in respect thereto, shall be held valid and in every respect legal and incontestable. 15822. Any such contest shall be brought in the superior court of the county where the district, or the greater part of its population, is situated. If more than one contest is pending they shall be consolidated and tried together. The court having jurisdiction shall speedily try the contest and determine upon the hearing whether the election was fairly conducted and in substantial compliance with this division, and enter its judgment accordingly. Either party to the record may appeal within 30 days from the entry of judgment, and the appeal shall be heard and determined by the Supreme Court within 60 days from the filing of the notice of appeal. Article 6. Verification Deputies
Ca Codes (puc:15841-15846) Public Utilities Code Section 15841-15846 15841. Verification deputies shall be qualified electors residing within the territory of the district or the proposed district for which they are appointed. 15842. Verification deputies required to verify signatures to petitions for the formation of a district, or to certificates or petitions nominating candidates for election to the first board of directors of newly formed districts, shall be appointed by the county elections official of any county in which the territory of the district is situated, and verification deputies required for any other purpose after the formation of a district shall be appointed by the clerk of the district. 15843. Appointments of verification deputies shall be made upon written application of not less than five (5) nor more than ten (10) qualified electors of any territorial unit or units of the district, or the proposed district, as the case may be. The application shall state that the signers desire the appointment of the person whose name and address is given therein as a verification deputy for the purpose of taking the oaths of signers of petitions or certificates in the matter of ________. 15844. Verification deputies need not use a seal, and shall not have power to administer oaths for any purpose other than that for which they are appointed. Their appointment shall continue for ninety (90) days only from the date of appointment. 15845. Verification deputies shall not be paid, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, out of the county treasury or the treasury of a district. 15846. Before appointment a verification deputy shall make and file with the clerk appointing him an oath as to his age, place of residence, occupation, and whether or not he is a qualified elector residing within the territory of the district, or the proposed district, for which he is appointed. Chapter 3. Internal Organization Of Districts
Ca Codes (puc:15951-15976) Public Utilities Code Section 15951-15976 15951. At an election held in the district on the next established election date not less than 74 days after its formation a board of directors shall be elected, to consist of as many members as there are territorial units in the district and as many additional members, not less than three nor more than four, as are required to constitute a board composed of an odd number of directors. Where the district lies entirely in one county the number of directors shall be three, elected at large. 15952. A director at large shall be a resident and qualified elector of the district. 15953. All unincorporated territories situated in the same county and included within the district shall be regarded as an entirety and as a territorial unit of the district. Each unit having a population of at least 5,000 is entitled to one director. 15954. Candidates for the office of director to be elected by a unit shall be nominated from each such territorial unit, and the remaining number of directors shall be nominated from the district at large. 15955. Each directorship is a separate office for the purpose of nomination and election, and for the filling of vacancies. 15956. (a) Candidates for directors at large shall be designated in all declarations of candidacy, nominating certificates, and on all official election ballots as candidates for a particular directorship at large, in accordance with the declarations of candidacy which the candidates have filed with the county elections official or the clerk of the district, as the case may be. Each office of director at large shall be designated as "director at large" number one, number two, number three, or number four, there being as many numbers as there are directors at large to be elected. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) or any other provision of this article, the board of directors of a district may adopt an ordinance that requires that candidates for directors at large need not designate a numbered office. The ordinance shall instead require that the candidates receiving the greatest number of votes districtwide as there are directors to be elected shall be elected to the board of directors. 15957. Candidates for director from the several territorial units entitled to one director each shall be designated in all declarations of candidacy, nominating certificates, and on all official election ballots as candidates for director from ____ unit, giving the name or other designation of the unit entitled to the office of director in accordance with the declarations of candidacy which the candidates have filed with the proper clerk. 15958. If only one unit of unincorporated territory is contained in the district, it may be designated as "the unincorporated territorial unit." 15959. If two or more units of unincorporated territory are contained in the district, they shall be numbered, named, and designated by the board of supervisors in charge of the election of the first board of directors, and subsequently from time to time by the board of directors of the district, as unincorporated territorial unit number one, number two, number three, and so forth, there being as many numbers as there are units in the district. 15960. The board of supervisors shall number, name, and designate each territorial unit of the district by ordinance at a regular or special meeting after the formation of the district, and in time to permit publication and taking effect of the ordinance before the earliest time when nominating certificates and declarations of candidacy for the board of directors may be filed. The ordinance shall remain in force until the board of directors of the district, by ordinance, shall number, name, and designate the territorial units. 15961. Designations of directors by name or number have no significance whatever after election and qualification of the directors or after appointment and qualification of a director appointed to fill a vacancy, but merely fix the designation and status of each such office as a separate office for the purpose of nomination and election thereto, or for filling a vacancy. Sections 15953 to 15960, inclusive, apply to the election of the first board of directors of the district, as well as to all elections of directors held by the district. 15961.5. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the division, the candidates for director of any district that is wholly or partially within the County of Placer may be elected at large, by wards, or from wards upon adoption of a resolution or ordinance to that effect by the board of directors of the district, subject to approval of the board of supervisors, or as a part of a change of organization or a reorganization conducted pursuant to the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000, Division 3 (commencing with Section 56000) of Title 5 of the Government Code. (b) A resolution or ordinance that divides a district into wards adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall describe the boundaries of the wards so that the wards shall be as nearly equal in population as may be. (c) As used in this section: (1) "By wards" means the election of members of the board of directors by voters of the ward alone. (2) "From wards" means the election of members of the board of directors who are residents of the ward from which they are elected by the voters of the entire district. 15962. The population of each unit of unincorporated territory within the district shall be determined at the time of calling the election of the first board of directors by the board of supervisors calling the election and shall be stated in the ordinance calling the election and in the notice of the election. The determination shall continue in force until set aside by the board of directors of the district. 15963. The board of directors shall determine the boundaries of each unit of unincorporated territory within the district pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 22000) of Division 21 of the Elections Code. 15965. The election of directors shall be held in the unincorporated territory included within the district and shall be called by the board of supervisors of the county in which the district, or the greater part of its population, is situated, and shall be called, held, and conducted, the returns canvassed, and the result declared by the board of supervisors in the manner and form provided by law for special elections within the county. 15966. (a) Not less than 30 days prior to the election, any five or more electors in the district may file with the board of directors a petition requesting that the names of certain persons specified in the petition be placed upon the ballot as candidates for the office of director at large. (b) Not less than 30 days prior to the election, any five or more electors of a territorial unit may file with the board of directors a petition requesting that the name of a designated person specified in the petition be placed upon the ballot as candidate for the office of director from the territorial unit. 15967. A certificate of election shall be issued by the board of supervisors to each person elected and declared elected. 15968. Immediately after receiving his or her certificate of election and before assuming the duties of office, each director shall take and subscribe an official oath and file it in the office of the board. 15969. All official oaths shall be in the form provided by law for official oaths of county officers. 15970. If a person elected fails to qualify, the office shall be filled as if there were a vacancy in the office. 15971. Elections of directors after election of the first board shall be called and held by the board of directors, and shall be called, held, and conducted, nominations for the office of director made, the returns canvassed, and the result declared by the board as provided in Article 6 of this chapter. 15972. The board of directors of a district which lies entirely within one county may submit to the qualified electors, at a general election or a special election called for that purpose, a proposition to increase the number of directors from three to five. By initiative ordinance the electors of such a district may adopt legislation providing for the increase of the number of directors from three to five. The initiative proceedings shall be conducted in all respects as prescribed by general law for the initiative by electors of counties. If a majority of the electors voting at the election vote in favor of the proposition, the district shall have five directors elected at large. 15973. Within 30 days after an increase in the number of directors has been authorized, the board of directors shall appoint two qualified electors of the district to serve as members of the board until the next biennial election, at which there shall be elected two directors in addition to the number previously authorized. After the directors elected at the biennial election have qualified, they shall meet and classify themselves so that one shall hold office for two years and the other for four years. Thereafter, there shall be elected at each biennial district election a number of directors, corresponding to the number whose terms expire, who shall hold office for four years. 15973.1. (a) Notwithstanding Sections 15951, 15972, and 15973, the local agency formation commission, in approving either a consolidation of districts or the reorganization of two or more districts into a single public utility district may, pursuant to subdivisions (k) and (n) of Section 56886 of the Government Code, increase the number of directors to serve on the board of directors of the consolidated or reorganized district to 7, 9, or 11, who shall be members of the board of directors of the districts to be consolidated or reorganized as of the effective date of the consolidation or reorganization. (b) Upon the expiration of the terms of the members of the board of directors of the consolidated district, or a district reorganized as described in subdivision (a), whose terms first expire following the effective date of the consolidation or reorganization, the total number of members on the board of directors shall be reduced until the number equals the number of members permitted by the principal act of the consolidated or reorganized district, or any larger number as may be specified by the local agency formation commission in approving the consolidation or reorganization. (c) In addition to the powers granted under Section 1780 of the Government Code, in the event of a vacancy on the board of directors of the consolidated district or a district reorganized as described in subdivision (a) at which time the total number of directors is greater than five, the board of directors may, by majority vote of the remaining members of the board, choose not to fill the vacancy. In that event, the total membership of the board of directors shall be reduced by one board member. Upon making the determination not to fill a vacancy, the board of directors shall notify the board of supervisors of its decision. (d) For the purposes of this section the following terms have the following meanings: (1) "Consolidation" means consolidation, as defined in Section 56030 of the Government Code. (2) "District" or "special district" means district or special district, as defined in Section 56036 of the Government Code. (3) "Reorganization" means reorganization, as defined in Section 56073 of the Government Code. 15974. Notwithstanding Section 15952 or any other provision of this division, each member of the board of directors of the Johnsville Public Utility District in Plumas County, whether elected or appointed, shall be either a voter of the district or an owner of land within the district. 15975. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, candidates for director of the Georgetown Divide Public Utility District may be elected by wards upon adoption of a resolution or ordinance to this effect by the board of directors of the district dividing the district into wards and fixing the boundaries thereof, subject to approval of the board of supervisors. The boundaries shall be fixed such that the wards shall be as nearly equal in population as may be, and the board of supervisors shall approve the boundaries fixed by the board of directors if it so finds. (b) Nomination papers may be circulated only within the ward from which the candidate is to be elected. (c) The wards shall be reapportioned subject to the approval of the board of supervisors after each federal decennial census. 15976. Notwithstanding any provision of law, the Board of Directors of the Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District shall consist of five members, elected at large. Each member of the board, including a member appointed to fill a vacancy, shall be a resident and qualified elector of the district. If the Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District is not incorporated on or before March 1, 1986, this section is repealed on that date. Article 2. Terms And Compensation Of Directors
Ca Codes (puc:16001-16003) Public Utilities Code Section 16001-16003 16001. On the first Tuesday after their election and qualification, the directors shall meet and classify themselves by lot, so that the largest possible minority shall hold office for two years, and a majority for four years. Thereafter at each biennial district election their successors shall be elected for the term of four years. 16002. (a) Each member of the board may receive the compensation that the board by ordinance provides, not exceeding four thousand eight hundred dollars ($4,800) a year. (b) (1) As an alternative to subdivision (a), the board may provide, by ordinance or resolution, that each of its members receive compensation in an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) for each day of service. A member of the board shall not receive compensation for more than 10 days of service in a month. (2) For the purposes of this subdivision, a "day of service" means any of the following: (A) A meeting conducted pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act (Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 54950) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code). (B) Representation of the district at a public event, if that representation has been previously approved at a meeting of the board and the member delivers a written report regarding the member's representation to the board at the board meeting immediately following the public event. (C) Representation of the district at a public meeting or a public hearing conducted by another public agency, if that representation has been previously approved at a meeting of the board and the member delivers a written report regarding the member's representation to the board at the board meeting immediately following the public meeting or public hearing. (D) Representation of the district at a meeting of a public benefit nonprofit corporation on whose board the district has membership if that representation has been previously approved at a meeting of the district's board and the member delivers a written report regarding the member's representation to the board at the board meeting immediately following the corporation's meeting. (E) Participation in a training program on a topic that is directly related to the district if that representation has been previously approved at a meeting of the board and the member delivers a written report regarding the member's participation to the board at the board meeting immediately following the training program. (c) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) and (b), the board of directors of a water district, as defined in Section 20200 of the Water Code, may increase the amount of compensation that may be received by members of the board by ordinance adopted pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 20200) of Division 10 of the Water Code. (d) The board may provide, by ordinance or resolution, that its members receive their actual and necessary traveling and incidental expenses incurred while on official business. Reimbursement for these expenses is subject to Sections 53232.2 and 53232.3 of the Government Code. (e) A member of the board may waive any or all of the payments permitted by this section. (f) For purposes of this section, the determination of whether a member'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. 16003. A vacancy in the office of director shall be filled pursuant to Section 1780 of the Government Code. Article 3. Powers And Duties Of Directors
Ca Codes (puc:16031-16044) Public Utilities Code Section 16031-16044 16031. Except as otherwise provided in this division, the powers of the district shall be exercised by the board of directors. 16032. The board of directors shall choose one of its members president. 16033. The president shall sign all contracts on behalf of the district and perform such other duties as may be imposed by the board. 16034. The board may from time to time contract for or employ any professional services required by the district, the board, or any officers of the district. 16035. At the first meeting of the board, after the board has qualified and organized, it shall appoint the clerk, accountant, general manager, and treasurer. 16036. In lieu of appointing a treasurer, the board may elect that the duties of treasurer be performed by the treasurer of the county in which the district, or the greater part of its population, is situated. Whenever the board by ordinance so determines, such duties shall be performed by the county treasurer. The ordinance shall also prescribe the manner in which money is to be drawn out of the various funds belonging to the district in the hands of the treasurer. The treasurer shall be served with a certified copy of the ordinance. 16037. The board may consolidate two or more offices in the same person. 16038. The board may provide for an assistant to any officer of the district who may perform the acts his principal may perform, when authorized so to do by the board. 16039. At the first meeting after the end of each fiscal year, the board shall render and immediately cause to be published a verified statement of the financial condition of the district. 16040. The financial statement shall show particularly the receipts and disbursements since the publication of the last preceding statement and of the last preceding fiscal year and the source of such receipts and the purpose of such disbursements. 16041. Publication of the financial statement shall be made pursuant to Section 6066 of the Government Code in a newspaper of general circulation printed and published in the district, or if there is no such newspaper, in a newspaper of general circulation printed and published in a county where any part of the district is situated. 16042. A neglect or refusal of the board to comply with Sections 16601 to 16614, inclusive, 16644 to 16659, inclusive, and 16467 is cause for removal from office. 16043. No director or other officer of the district shall in any manner be interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract awarded or to be awarded by the board, or in the profits to be derived from it. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor and a director or officer convicted shall forfeit his office, and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. 16044. A district may destroy a record pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 60200) of Division 1 of Title 6 of the Government Code. Article 4. Meetings And Legislation
Ca Codes (puc:16071-16084) Public Utilities Code Section 16071-16084 16071. The board shall establish rules for its proceedings and shall provide for the time and place of holding meetings and the manner in which special meetings may be called. All legislative sessions of the board, whether regular or special, are open to the public. A majority of the board constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. 16072. The board shall act only by ordinance, resolution, or motion. The ayes and noes shall be taken upon the passage of all ordinances, resolutions, or motions and entered upon the journal of the proceedings of the board. No ordinance, resolution, or motion shall be passed or become effective without the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the board. 16073. The enacting clause of all ordinances shall be: "Be it enacted by the board of directors of _______ public utility district:". 16074. All resolutions and ordinances shall be signed by the president of the board and attested by the secretary. 16075. No ordinance passed by the board takes effect less than 30 days after its passage. At least one week before the expiration of the said 30 days copies of the ordinance shall be posted by the clerk at three public places in the district, and if there is a newspaper of general circulation printed and published in the district, the ordinance shall be published in the newspaper pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code. 16076. An order entered in the minutes of the board that an ordinance has been duly posted and published is prima facie proof of such posting and publication. 16077. All tax levies for a purpose other than interest or sinking fund payments shall be first authorized by the board by ordinance when the amount proposed to be raised by a tax levy exceeds fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). 16078. During the 30 days following passage of an ordinance pursuant to Section 16077 a petition, signed by qualified voters of the district equal to 10 percent of the entire vote cast within the district for all candidates for Governor at the last preceding general election at which a Governor was voted for, protesting against the passage of the ordinance may be presented to the board. 16079. Immediately upon receipt of a petition submitted pursuant to Section 16078 the board shall cause the clerk of the district to examine and verify the signatures, and to certify the result of the board within 10 days. If the petition is found insufficient, the clerk shall certify to the number of additional signatures of qualified electors required to make the petition sufficient, and the petition may be amended by a supplemental petition filed within 10 days from the date of the certificate. 16080. Within 10 days after the filing of a supplemental petition, the clerk shall examine it and certify to the result of his examination. 16081. An ordinance is suspended from going into operation until the examination, verification, and certification are completed. 16082. If a petition, or petition as amended, is certified to be sufficient the ordinance is suspended from going into operation and the board shall reconsider it. 16083. If the board does not entirely repeal the ordinance upon reconsideration, it shall submit the ordinance to a vote of the electors at a general district election or at a special district election called for the purpose, and the ordinance shall not become operative unless approved by a majority of the voters voting upon it. 16084. Unless otherwise provided in this division, petitions made pursuant to this article, in the matter of form, signatures, and preparation, and the proceedings based upon them, in the matter of calling and conducting an election, the manner of voting, cavassing the return, and declaring the result shall conform as nearly as practicable to the provisions of general law relating to direct legislation or the referendum by cities. Article 5. Other Officers
Ca Codes (puc:16111-16116) Public Utilities Code Section 16111-16116 16111. The officers of the district, other than the board of directors, are: (a) A clerk, who is also ex officio secretary of the board. (b) An accountant. (c) A treasurer. (d) A general manager. 16112. The officers, other than the board of directors, shall be appointed by the board, hold office at its pleasure, and receive such compensation as is provided for by the board by ordinance. They, or any of them, shall give such bond as is prescribed by the board. They shall perform such duties as are provided by this division, and such further duties as are imposed upon them by the board. 16113. When the district acquires, constructs, owns, or operates two or more public utilities, a general manager may be appointed and employed for each public utility. 16114. Subject to such restrictions as the board may impose, the general manager shall have full charge and control of the construction of the works of the district and of their maintenance and operation. He shall report to the board in accordance with such rules and regulations as it may adopt. 16115. The clerk shall countersign all contracts on behalf of the district. He shall give his full time during office hours to the affairs of the district. He is ex officio secretary of the board and shall keep a record of its proceedings. 16116. The accountant shall install and maintain a system of auditing and accounting which completely and at all times shows the financial condition of the district. He shall draw all warrants to pay demands made against the district when the demands have been first approved by a majority of the board present at the meeting at which the demands are acted upon. Article 6. District Elections
Ca Codes (puc:16151-16165) Public Utilities Code Section 16151-16165 16151. The biennial election for the election of directors shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years. This election is the general district election. 16152. Except as otherwise provided in this division, districts governed by this division are subject to the provisions of the Uniform District Election Law. 16153. No person may vote at any district election unless he possesses all the requirements of an elector under the general laws and is a qualified elector residing within the district. 16160. If land is annexed to a district, the board shall reestablish the boundaries of the units and election precincts within the district not less than 90 days before any election in the district. The reestablished boundaries shall include the annexed land in the same manner and with the same effect as set forth in Sections 15953 to 15964, inclusive. If land is annexed less than 90 days before an election within the district, the inhabitants of the land included shall not vote at the election. 16162. Whenever a special election is called pursuant to Articles 1 or 2 of Chapter 5 for the purpose of submitting to the electors a proposition, the board shall pass an ordinance calling the election. 16163. At the special election all propositions formulated pursuant to Articles 1 or 2 of Chapter 5 may be submitted to the electors of the district, but no question other than such propositions shall be submitted. 16164. The ordinance calling the election shall set forth the following: (a) The purposes for which it is called. (b) The estimated cost of each utility or utility works proposed for acquisition, construction, or completion by the district. (c) The proposed method and manner of payment. (d) The day on which the election will be held. (e) The manner of holding the election. (f) The manner of voting for or against each proposition submitted to the electors. (g) If it is necessary to incur a district indebtedness for any utility or public utility works therein proposed, the objects and purposes for which the indebtedness is proposed to be incurred, and that bonds of the district shall issue for the payment of the cost of such utility or public utility works, if the proposition is accepted by the electors. 16165. The election shall be held as provided for holding elections in the district. Article 7. Employees
Ca Codes (puc:16191-16196) Public Utilities Code Section 16191-16196 16191. The maximum time of labor or service required of any laborer, workman, or mechanic employed upon any work of the district, whether employed directly by the district and its officers, or by a contractor or subcontractor, shall be eight hours during any one calendar day, except in case of emergency. 16192. The board shall fix the hours of labor or service required of all employees of the district, and their compensation, and shall employ all necessary employees or may by ordinance provide for their employment by the several officers of the district. 16193. The board shall classify all places of employment under the district and its offices and departments, with reference to the examinations provided by this article, except as provided in Section 16196. The places classified by the board are the classified civil service of the district, and appointments to civil service places shall be made according to the rules provided by this article. 16194. The board shall make rules to effect a civil service system, and for examinations, appointments, promotions, and removals, and from time to time may make changes in existing rules. All rules and all changes shall be forthwith printed for distribution by the board. 16195. Examinations shall be practical, and shall relate to those matters only which will fairly test the relative capacity of the persons examined to discharge the duties of the positions which they seek, and shall include, when appropriate, tests of manual or professional skill. The selection of laborers shall be governed by priority of application as far as practicable. No question in any examination shall relate to political or religious opinions or affiliations. The board shall control all examinations. 16196. The manager, engineer, clerk, accountant, and treasurer shall not be included within the classified civil service of the district. Chapter 4. Powers And Functions Of Districts
Ca Codes (puc:16401-16409) Public Utilities Code Section 16401-16409 16401. A district has perpetual succession. 16402. Except as otherwise provided, a district may sue and be sued in all actions and proceedings, in all courts and tribunals of competent jurisdiction. 16402.5. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), any judicial action or proceeding against a district that provides electric utility service, to attack, review, set aside, void, or annul an ordinance, resolution, or motion fixing or changing a rate or charge for an electric commodity or an electric service furnished by a district and adopted on or after July 1, 2000, shall be commenced within 120 days of the effective date of that ordinance, resolution, or motion. (b) This section does not apply to any judicial action or proceeding filed pursuant to Chapter 13.7 (commencing with Section 54999) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code to protest or challenge a rate or charge or to seek the refund of a capital facilities fee if the notice and disclosure requirements of Section 54999.35 of the Government Code have not been followed. 16403. A district may adopt a seal and alter it at pleasure. 16404. A district may exercise the right of eminent domain to take any property necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers granted in this division. 16407. A district has the same powers with reference to improvement districts as are conferred upon irrigation districts by Division 11, Part 7 of the Water Code and as are conferred upon municipal water districts by Part 7 (commencing with Section 71851) and Part 8 (commencing with Section 72000) of Division 20 of the Water Code. As used in this section, all references to districts in the adopted acts shall refer to public utility districts and all words relating to irrigation or municipal water district officers and matters refer to the corresponding officers of a public utility district and matters under this division. 16408. Improvement districts also may be formed of land proposed to be annexed to the district, contingent upon the annexation being completed. The petition for annexation may request that the land to be annexed shall be included in and form a part of any improvement district existing within the district or shall constitute a new improvement district within the district when annexed or the board of directors of the district may determine, as one of the terms and conditions for the annexation, that the land shall be included in and form a part of any improvement district then existing within the district or shall constitute a new improvement district when annexed. 16409. For the purpose of obtaining and supplying water for domestic, irrigation, and fire protection purposes, a district may cooperate and contract with the United States and borrow or procure money from the United States in the same manner and under the same procedures as irrigation districts under Division 11, Part 6, Chapter 2 of the Water Code. Any district, in order to make payments to the United States under any contract between the district and the United States, may, in lieu, in whole or in part of levying assessments, fix and collect charges for the service of water by the district to any land. A district may charge higher rates for service of water to any landowner in the amount required to pay any interest costs charged to the district on any United States Bureau of Reclamation loan by reason of land held by such owner in excess of 160 acres. Article 2. Property
Ca Codes (puc:16431-16432) Public Utilities Code Section 16431-16432 16431. A district may take by grant, purchase, gift, devise, or lease, or otherwise acquire, hold and enjoy, and lease or dispose of, real and personal property of every kind within or without the district, when in the judgment of the board it is for the best interests of the district so to do. 16432. The legal title to all property acquired under this division vests immediately and by operation of law in the district, and is held by the district in trust, and is dedicated and set apart to the uses and purposes set forth in this division. Article 3. Utility Works And Service
Ca Codes (puc:16461-16489) Public Utilities Code Section 16461-16489 16461. A district may acquire, construct, own, operate, control, or use, within or without or partly within and partly without the district, works for supplying its inhabitants with light, water, power, heat, transportation, telephone service, or other means of communication, or means for the disposition of garbage, sewage, or refuse matter, and may do all things necessary or convenient to the full exercise of the powers granted in this article. 16461.5. (a) The Shasta Dam Area Public Utility District may construct those public works necessary for the industrial and commercial development of any undeveloped property owned by the district prior to January 12, 1990. A decision by the Shasta Dam Area Public Utility District to construct public works pursuant to this section is a legislative act subject to referendum pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 9340) of Chapter 4 of Division 9 of the Elections Code. The improvements shall comply with all of the ordinances, resolutions, policies, and other standards of the city or county in which the property is located, and comply with all state laws governing public works and public agencies. (b) Any contract awarded by the Shasta Dam Area Public Utility District pursuant to this section shall be considered a public works project subject to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1720) of Part 7 of Division 2 of the Labor Code. (c) None of the costs for public works constructed pursuant to this section shall be borne by Shasta Dam Area Public Utility District customers. 16462. A district may also purchase any of such commodities or services from any other utility district, municipality, person, or private company, and distribute them. 16463. A district may acquire, construct, own, complete, use, and operate a fire department, street lighting system, public parks, public playgrounds, golf courses, public swimming pools, public recreation buildings, buildings to be used for public purposes, and works to provide for the drainage of roads, streets, and public places, including, but not limited to, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and pavement of streets. For purposes of this division, all of those projects shall be considered a public utility or public utility works. 16463.5. (a) A district may exercise any of the powers, functions, and duties which are vested in, or imposed upon, a fire protection district pursuant to the Fire Protection District Law of 1987, Part 3 (commencing with Section 13800) of Division 12 of the Health and Safety Code. (b) If the district includes any part of a local agency which provides fire protection service to any territory in the district, the district shall have no authority regarding the prevention and suppression of fires in that territory, unless the district has obtained the consent of the local agency. 16464. A district may construct works across or along any street or public highway, or over any land which is the property of the state, and has the same rights and privileges appertaining thereto as are granted to cities within the state. 16465. A district may construct its works across any stream of water or watercourse. 16466. A district using a street or highway shall restore it to its former state as nearly as possible and shall not unnecessarily impair its usefulness. 16467. Only revenue producing utilities shall be acquired, owned, or operated by a district. So far as possible the board shall fix such charges for commodities or service furnished by any revenue producing utility as will pay all of the expenses of the government of the district, or such portion as the board determines justly apportionable to such utility. The expenses to be paid include: (a) Salaries, office expenses, and other necessary disbursements. (b) The operating expenses of the utility. (c) The interest on any indebtedness incurred for the acquisition, construction, and completion of the utility. (d) Provisions for a sinking or other appropriate fund for the payment of the principal of such debt as it becomes due. (e) Provisions for an appropriate fund for repairs, replacements, and betterments. It is the intention of this section that a district pay all of such charges and expenditures and the interest and principal of its debt from the revenues derived by the district from the operation of its public utilities, and that each public utility owned and operated by a district shall be self-sustaining. 16467.1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 16467 of this code, fire departments, street lighting systems, public parks, public playgrounds, public swimming pools, public recreation buildings, buildings used for a public purpose, and works to provide for the drainage of roads, streets, and public places, including, but not limited to, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and pavement of streets need not be operated on a self-sustaining, revenue-producing basis. Revenue to defray the cost of acquiring, constructing, installing, maintaining, improving, and operating such utilities and to pay the principal and interest and to create reserve and sinking funds on any indebtedness incurred in connection therewith, may be raised in any manner authorized by this division. 16468. Charges fixed by the board for commodities or services furnished may be made payable in advance. 16469. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), charges unpaid at the time specified for the fixing of the rate of taxes may be added to and become part of the annual assessment levied upon the land upon which the commodity or service was used if the property is owned, controlled, or in the possession of the same person who owned, controlled, or was in possession of it during the time the service charges were incurred or if the only transfers made of the property since the date the charges were incurred have been transfers by gift, descent, bequest, or devise. (b) No district furnishing water for residential use to a tenant shall seek to recover any charges or penalties for the furnishing of water to or for the tenant's residential use from any subsequent tenant on account of nonpayment of charges by a previous tenant. The district may, however, require that service to subsequent tenants be furnished on the account of the landlord or property owner. 16470. Charges added to an assessment are a lien on the land, except that if, during the year preceding the date on which the first installment of real property taxes which evidence the charges appears on the roll, any real property to which such lien would attach has been transferred or conveyed to a bona fide purchaser for value, or if a lien of a bona fide encumbrancer for value has been created and attaches thereon, then the lien which would otherwise be imposed by this section shall not attach to such property and the district shall within three years after the amount is due file for record in the office of any county recorder a certificate specifying the amount, interest, and penalty due, the name and address as it appears on the records of the district of the person liable for the same, and the fact that the district has complied with all provisions of this part in the determination of the amount required to be paid. From the time of recordation of the certificate, the amount required to be paid together with interest and penalty constitutes a lien upon all real property in the county owned by the person or afterwards and before the lien expires acquired by him. The lien has the force, effect, and priority of a judgment lien and shall continue for 10 years from the time of the filing of the certificate unless sooner released or otherwise discharged. The lien may, within 10 years from the date of the filing of the certificate or within 10 years from the date of the last extension of the lien in the manner herein provided, be extended by filing for record a new certificate in the office of the county recorder of any county and from the time of such filing the lien shall be extended to the real property in such county for 10 years unless sooner released or otherwise discharged. 16471. If the assessment is divided and made payable in two installments, the unpaid charges may be added to and become a part of the first installment of the assessment. 16472. When the board declares that charges are to be added to the annual assessment and the district is availing itself of assessments made by the assessor of any county in which the district is situated, the board shall include in the statement of the tax rate to be transmitted to the county auditor the amount of each of the charges to be levied, and the auditor shall make the charges a part of the assessment in accordance with the statement. 16472.1. (a) Notwithstanding Sections 16469 to 16472, inclusive, and as an alternative to the procedures specified in those sections, a district may provide by resolution or ordinance that delinquent water charges and interest and penalties thereon constitute a lien on the real property served to the extent that the property is owned by the person or entity receiving the service, when a certificate is recorded pursuant to this section, which shall continue in effect until the amount of charges, interest, and penalties are paid or the property is sold to satisfy the charges, interest, and penalties. No lien may be created under this section on any publicly owned property. (b) A lien pursuant to this section attaches when the district files for record in the office of the county recorder a certificate specifying the amount of charges, interest, and penalties due; the name of the owner of record of the property who received the water service; the legal description of the property served; and the fact that the district has complied with all provisions of this part in the determination of the charges, interest, and penalties due. From the time of recordation of the certificate, the charges, interest, and penalties constitute a lien on the property. Within 30 days of receipt of payment of all costs specified in subdivision (a), or within 30 days of a demand by an escrow agent in the event of a voluntary sale, the district shall record in the office of the county recorder a release of the lien created by this section. (c) The county recorder shall charge the district the fees specified in Sections 27361 and 27361.4 of the Government Code for recording any certificate pursuant to subdivision (b), which certificate shall be indexed to the name of the property owner as grantor and the district as grantee. (d) This section is in addition to any other remedies available to a district. 16472.5. (a) In order to enforce the provisions of any ordinance of the district, including an ordinance fixing charges for the furnishing of commodities or services, the district may correct any violation of an ordinance of the district. The district may also petition the superior court for the issuance of a preliminary or permanent injunction, or both, as may be appropriate, restraining any person from the continued violation of any ordinance of the district or for the issuance of an order stopping or disconnecting a service if the charges for that service are unpaid at the time specified in the ordinance. (b) The district may enter upon the private property of any person within the jurisdiction of the district in order to investigate possible violations of an ordinance of the district. The investigation shall be made with the consent of the owner or tenant of the property or, if consent is refused, with a warrant duly issued pursuant to the procedures set forth in Title 13 (commencing with Section 1822.50) of Part 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure, except that, notwithstanding Section 1822.52 of the Code of Civil Procedure, the warrant shall be issued only upon probable cause. 16473. Whenever there is a surplus of available water, light, heat, or power above that which is required by the inhabitants or municipalities within the district, the district may sell or otherwise dispose of such surplus outside of the district to persons, firms, and public or private corporations. 16474. Whenever any of the facilities, works, or utilities of all or part of a district is not used or employed to its fullest capacity for the benefit or requirements of the district or its inhabitants, the district may employ such surplus facilities to supply any of its public utility services outside the boundaries of the district upon such terms and conditions and under such agreement as its board determines is for the best interests of the district. Any public utility service supplied by a district outside its boundaries shall not exceed in amount the same type of public utility service supplied by the district within its boundaries. 16475. (a) A public utility district which acquires, constructs, owns, operates, controls or uses works for supplying its inhabitants with water, may, pursuant to the notice, protest, and hearing procedures in Section 53753 of the Government Code, fix and collect a water standby or immediate availability charge on all land within its boundaries to which water is made available for any purpose by the district, whether the water is actually used or not, except that such charge shall not supply to lands permanently dedicated exclusively to transportation of persons or property. If the procedures set forth in this section as it read at the time a standby charge was established were followed, the district's board of directors may, by resolution, continue the charge pursuant to this section in successive years at the same rate. If new, increased, or extended assessments are proposed, the district shall comply with the notice, protest, and hearing procedures in Section 53753 of the Government Code. (b) The board of directors of the district which fixes such a charge may establish schedules varying the charges in different months and in different localities within a public utility district depending upon factors such as the uses to which the land is put, the cost of transporting the water to the land, the degree of availability or quantity of use of such water to the affected lands. The board may not, however, fix an annual charge in excess of ten dollars ($10) per acre or in excess of five dollars ($5) for parcel of less than one acre, unless the standby charge is imposed pursuant to the Uniform Standby Charge Procedures Act (Chapter 12.4 (commencing with Section 54984) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code). (c) If a person for more than one year obtains substantially all of his or her water requirements for the contiguous parcels of land which he or she occupies from rainfall, springs, streams, lakes, rivers, or wells, and if the person's primary economic activity on such land is the commercial extraction or processing of minerals, such land shall be exempt from any water standby or availability charges. (d) Any funds derived from the charges levied pursuant to this section may be used by the district for all purposes which a public utility district is authorized to expend funds insofar as said purposes relate to the acquisition, construction, operation, control, or use of works for supplying its inhabitants with water. 16476.1. (a) The Tahoe City Public Utility District may acquire, construct, install, maintain, improve, or operate public walkways, paths, sidewalks, trails, and public parking facilities if all of the following conditions are met: (1) The district board of directors passes an ordinance pursuant to Sections 16072 to 16084, inclusive, authorizing the district to exercise these powers. (2) The Board of Supervisors of Placer County adopts a resolution authorizing the district to exercise these powers. (3) The improvements comply with all of the ordinances, resolutions, policies, and other standards of the city or county in which the property is located, and comply with all state laws governing public works and public agencies. (b) Notwithstanding Section 16467, the services, facilities, or installations or operation thereof provided for in subdivision (a) need not be financed on a revenue-producing basis. Revenue to defray the cost of constructing, installing, maintaining, and operating the facilities or services or to pay the principal and interest and to create reserve and sinking funds on any indebtedness incurred in connection therewith, may be raised in any manner authorized by this division. (c) Assessments levied to pay for the acquisition, construction, installation, maintenance, improvement, or operation of public walkways, paths, sidewalks, trails, and public parking facilities pursuant to this section shall be subject to approval by a majority vote of the property owners of the assessment district in which the services, facilities, or installations are located. 16477. Notwithstanding Section 16475, the Board of Directors of the Fallbrook Public Utility District may, pursuant to the notice, protest, and hearing procedures in Section 53753 of the Government Code, fix and collect an annual water standby or immediate availability charge. The standby or immediate availability charge shall not exceed thirty dollars ($30) per acre or any parcel of less than one acre, unless the standby or immediate availability charge is imposed pursuant to the Uniform Standby Charge Procedures Act (Chapter 12.4 (commencing with Section 54984) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code). The Legislature hereby finds and declares that this section, applicable only to the Fallbrook Public Utility District, is necessary because of the unique and special water management problems within that district. 16478. The Board of Directors of the Tahoe City Public Utility District, the Board of Directors of the South Tahoe Public Utility District, and the Board of Directors of the North Tahoe Public Utility District shall each have the authority to fix and collect an annual standby charge for sewage service on all lands within the district under its jurisdiction, in such amount as the board shall specify, provided that such standby charge for sewage service shall not exceed ten dollars ($10) per acre for parcels in excess of one acre or twenty dollars ($20) per parcel for parcels less than one acre, unless the standby charge is imposed pursuant to the Uniform Standby Charge Procedures Act (Chapter 12.4 (commencing with Section 54984) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code). The standby charge authorized by this section shall be imposed only pursuant to the notice, protest, and hearing procedures in Section 53753 of the Government Code. If the procedures set forth in this section as it read at the time a standby charge was established were followed, that charge pursuant to this section may be levied at the same rate in subsequent years without the requirement of a hearing, provided that if new, increased, or extended assessments are proposed, the board of directors shall comply with the notice, protest, and hearing procedures in Section 53753 of the Government Code. The Legislature hereby finds and declares that this section, applicable only to the Tahoe City Public Utility District, the South Tahoe Public Utility District, and the North Tahoe Public Utility District is necessary because of the unique and special water management, pollution, and sewage disposal problems of the Lake Tahoe Basin. 16479. If the Board of Directors of the Tahoe City Public Utility District or of the North Tahoe Public Utility District determines to use all or any portion of a surplus remaining in the improvement fund from any assessment proceeding to improve the sewer system within district's jurisdiction in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (c) of Section 10427 of the Streets and Highways Code, all of the surpluses to be used for the maintenance of the improvements may be transferred by the legislative body to a single fund for the maintenance and operation of the sewer system without regard to the proportion of the funds so created attributable to each proceeding from which the surplus arose. The board of directors shall transfer to such single fund the same percentage of the surplus from each improvement fund. The fact that in one or more of such improvement funds no surplus exists shall not prevent the board of directors from proceeding pursuant to this section as to all improvement funds in which a surplus does exist if a surplus of no less than 2 1/2 percent of the total cost exists in no less than 75 percent of such funds. This section, applicable only to the Tahoe City Public Utility District and the North Tahoe Public Utility District, is necessary because of unique and special fiscal management problems of improvement districts in the Lake Tahoe Basin. 16480. (a) Every district furnishing light, heat, or power shall expend no funds for advertising when such advertising encourages increased consumption of such services or commodities. (b) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a district furnishing light, heat, or power from expending funds for advertising which encourages the more efficient operation of the facilities, works, or utilities of the district, or for advertising which encourages the more efficient use of light, heat, or power, the conservation of energy or natural resources, or presents accurate information on the economical purchase, maintenance, or use of any appliance or device using light, heat, or power. 16480.5. Whenever a business transaction of a public utility district furnishing electricity, gas, water service where the utility has 10,000 or more service connections, or telephone service is such that a personal appearance by a person is required by the district and the person is unable to appear at the district's place of business during the district's usual business hours, then the district shall provide a reasonable and convenient alternative to the person such as an appointment outside the district's usual business hours or allowing the person to conduct the transaction by telephone, mail, or both. 16481. (a) This section applies if there is a landlord-tenant relationship between the residential occupants and the owner, manager, or operator of the dwelling. (b) If a district furnishes individually metered residential light, heat, water, or power to residential occupants in a detached single-family dwelling, multiunit residential structure, mobilehome park, or permanent residential structure in a labor camp, as defined in Section 17008 of the Health and Safety Code, and the owner, manager, or operator is the customer of record, the district shall make every good faith effort to inform the residential occupants, by means of written notice, when the account is in arrears, that service will be terminated in 10 days. The written notice shall further inform the residential occupants that they have the right to become customers of the district without being required to pay the amount due on the delinquent account. The notice shall be in English and in the languages listed in Section 1632 of the Civil Code. (c) The district is not required to make service available to the residential occupants unless each residential occupant agrees to the terms and conditions of service, and meets the requirements of the district's rules. However, if one or more of the residential occupants are willing and able to assume responsibility for the subsequent charges to the account to the satisfaction of the district, or if there is a physical means, legally available to the district, of selectively terminating service to those residential occupants who have not met the requirements of the district's rules, the district shall make service available to the residential occupants who have met those requirements. (d) If prior service for a period of time is a condition for establishing credit with the district, residence and proof of prompt payment of rent or other credit obligation acceptable to the district for that period of time is a satisfactory equivalent. (e) Any residential occupant who becomes a customer of the district pursuant to this section whose periodic payments, such as rental payments, include charges for residential light, heat, water, or power, where these charges are not separately stated, may deduct from the periodic payment each payment period all reasonable charges paid to the district for those services during the preceding payment period. 16481.1. (a) If a district furnishes residential light, heat, water, or power to residential occupants through a master meter in a multiunit residential structure, mobilehome park, or permanent residential structure in a labor camp, as defined in Section 17008 of the Health and Safety Code, and the owner, manager, or operator of the structure or park is listed by the district as the customer of record, the district shall make every good faith effort to inform the residential occupants, by means of a written notice posted on the door of each residential unit at least 15 days prior to termination, when the account is in arrears, that service will be terminated on a date specified in the notice. If it is not reasonable or practicable to post the notice on the door of each residential unit, the district shall post two copies of the notice in each common area and at each point of access to the structure or structures. The notice shall further inform the residential occupants that they have the right to become customers, to whom the service will be billed, of the district without being required to pay the amount due on the delinquent account. The notice also shall specify, in plain language, what the residential occupants are required to do in order to prevent the termination or reestablish service; the estimated monthly cost of service; the title, address, and telephone number of a representative of the district who can assist the residential occupants in continuing service; and the address and telephone number of a legal services project, as defined in Section 6213 of the Business and Professions Code, which has been recommended by the local county bar association. The notice shall be in English and in the languages listed in Section 1632 of the Civil Code. (b) The district is not required to make service available to the residential occupants unless each residential occupant or a representative of the residential occupants agrees to the terms and conditions of service, and meets the requirements of law and the district's rules. However, if one or more of the residential occupants or the representative of the residential occupants are willing and able to assume responsibility for subsequent charges to the account to the satisfaction of the district, or if there is a physical means, legally available to the district, of selectively terminating service to those residential occupants who have not met the requirements of the district's rules or for whom the representative of the residential occupants is not responsible, the district shall make service available to the residential occupants who have met those requirements or on whose behalf those requirements have been met. (c) If prior service for a period of time or other demonstration of credit worthiness is a condition for establishing credit with the district, residence and proof of prompt payment of rent or other credit obligation during that period of time acceptable to the district is a satisfactory equivalent. (d) Any residential occupant who becomes a customer of the district pursuant to this section whose periodic payments, such as rental payments, include charges for residential light, heat, water, or power, where these charges are not separately stated, may deduct from the periodic payment each payment period all reasonable charges paid to the district for those services during the preceding payment period. (e) If a district furnishes residential service subject to subdivision (a), the district may not terminate that service in any of the following situations: (1) During the pendency of an investigation by the district of a customer dispute or complaint. (2) If the customer has been granted an extension of the period for payment of a bill. (3) For an indebtedness owed by the customer to any other public agency or when the obligation represented by the delinquent account or other indebtedness was incurred with any public agency other than the district. (4) If a delinquent account relates to another property owned, managed, or operated by the customer. (5) If a public health or building officer certifies that termination would result in a significant threat to the health or safety of the residential occupants or the public. (f) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and in addition to any other remedy provided by law, if the owner, operator, or manager, by any act or omission, directs, permits, or fails to prevent a termination of service while any residential unit is occupied, the residential occupant or the representative of the residential occupants may commence an action for the recovery of all of the following: (1) Reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the residential occupant or the representative of the residential occupants related to restoration of service. (2) Actual damages related to the termination of service. (3) Reasonable attorney's fees of the residential occupants, the representative of the residential occupants, or each of them, incurred in the enforcement of this section, including, but not limited to, enforcement of a lien. (g) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and in addition to any other remedy provided by law, if the owner, manager, or operator, by any act or omission, directs, permits, or fails to prevent a termination of service while any residential unit receiving that service is occupied, the corporation may commence an action for the recovery of all of the following: (1) Delinquent charges accruing prior to the expiration of the notice prescribed by subdivision (a). (2) Reasonable costs incurred by the corporation related to the restoration of service. (3) Reasonable attorney's fees of the corporation incurred in the enforcement of this section or in the collection of delinquent charges, including, but not limited to, enforcement of a lien. If the court finds that the owner, manager, or operator has paid the amount in arrears prior to termination, the court shall allow no recovery of any charges, costs, damages, expenses, or fees under this subdivision from the owner, manager, or operator. An abstract of any money judgment entered pursuant to subdivision (f) or (g) shall be recorded pursuant to Section 697.310 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (h) No termination of service subject to this section may be effected without compliance with this section, and any service wrongfully terminated shall be restored without charge to the residential occupants or customer for the restoration of the service. In the event of a wrongful termination by the district, the district shall, in addition, be liable to the residential occupants or customer for actual damages resulting from the termination and for the costs of enforcement of this section, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney's fees, if the residential occupants or the representative of the residential occupants make a good faith effort to have the service continued without interruption. (i) The district shall adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement this section and shall liberally construe this section to accomplish its purpose of ensuring that service to the residential occupants is not terminated due to nonpayment by the customer unless the district has made every reasonable effort to continue service to the residential occupants. The rules and regulations shall include, but are not limited to, guidelines for assistance to actual users in the enforcement of this section and requirements for the notice prescribed by subdivision (a), including, but not limited to, clear wording, large and boldface type, and comprehensive instructions to ensure full notice to the actual users. (j) Nothing in this section broadens or restricts any authority of a local agency that existed prior to January 1, 1989, to adopt an ordinance protecting a residential occupant from the involuntary termination of residential public utility service. (k) This section preempts any statute or ordinance permitting punitive damages against any owner, manager, or operator on account of an involuntary termination of public utility service or permitting the recovery of costs associated with the formation, maintenance, and termination of a tenant's association. (l) For purposes of this section, "representative of the residential occupants" does not include a tenants' association. 16481.6. The decision of a district to require a new residential applicant to deposit a sum of money with the district prior to establishing an account and furnishing service shall be based solely upon the credit worthiness of the applicant as determined by the district. 16482. (a) No district furnishing its inhabitants with light, water, power, heat, or means for the disposition of garbage, sewage, or refuse matter may terminate residential service for nonpayment of a delinquent account unless the district first gives notice of the delinquency and impending termination, as provided in Section 16482.1. (b) No district shall terminate residential service for nonpayment in any of the following situations: (1) During the pendency of an investigation by the district of a customer dispute or complaint. (2) When a customer has been granted an extension of the period for payment of a bill. (3) On the certification of a licensed physician and surgeon that to do so will be life threatening to the customer and the customer is financially unable to pay for service within the normal payment period and is willing to enter into an amortization agreement with the district pursuant to subdivision (e) with respect to all charges that the customer is unable to pay prior to delinquency. (c) Any residential customer who has initiated a complaint or requested an investigation within five days of receiving the contested bill, or who has, within 13 days of mailing of the notice required by subdivision (a), made a request for extension of the payment period of a bill asserted to be beyond the means of the customer to pay in full during the normal period for payment, shall be given an opportunity for review of the complaint, investigation, or request by a review manager of the district. The review shall include consideration of whether the customer shall be permitted to amortize the unpaid balance of the account over a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 12 months. No termination of service shall be effected for any customer complying with an amortization agreement if the customer also keeps the account current as charges accrue in each subsequent billing period. (d) Any customer whose complaint or request for an investigation pursuant to subdivision (c) has resulted in an adverse determination by the district may appeal the determination to the board. Any subsequent appeal of the dispute or complaint to the board is not subject to this section. (e) Any customer meeting the requirements of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) shall, upon request, be permitted to amortize, over a period not to exceed 12 months, the unpaid balance of any bill asserted to be beyond the means of the customer to pay within the normal period for payment. 16482.1. (a) No district furnishing light, heat, water, or power, or means for the disposition of garbage, sewage, or refuse matter, may terminate residential service on account of nonpayment of a delinquent account unless the district first gives notice of the delinquency and impending termination, at least 10 days prior to the proposed termination, by means of a notice mailed, postage prepaid, to the customer to whom the service is billed, not earlier than 19 days from the date of mailing the district's bill for services, and the 10-day period shall not commence until five days after the mailing of the notice. (b) Every district shall make a reasonable, good faith effort to contact an adult person residing at the premises of the customer by telephone or personal contact, at least 48 hours prior to any termination of service, except that, whenever telephone or personal contact cannot be accomplished, the district shall give, by mail, in person, or by posting in a conspicuous location at the premises, a notice of termination of service, at least 48 hours prior to termination. (c) Every district shall make available to its residential customers who are 65 years of age or older, or who are dependent adults as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 15610 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, a third-party notification service, whereby the district will attempt to notify a person designated by the customer to receive notification when the customer's account is past due and subject to termination. The notification shall include information on what is required to prevent termination of service. The residential customer shall make a request for third-party notification on a form provided by the district, and shall include the written consent of the designated third party. The third-party notification does not obligate the third party to pay the overdue charges, nor shall it prevent or delay termination of service. (d) Every notice of termination of service pursuant to subdivision (a) shall include all of the following information: (1) The name and address of the customer whose account is delinquent. (2) The amount of the delinquency. (3) The date by which payment or arrangements for payment is required in order to avoid termination. (4) The procedure by which the customer may initiate a complaint or request an investigation concerning service or charges, except that, if the bill for service contains a description of that procedure, the notice pursuant to subdivision (a) is not required to contain that information. (5) The procedure by which the customer may request amortization of the unpaid charges. (6) The procedure for the customer to obtain information on the availability of financial assistance, including private, local, state, or federal sources, if applicable. (7) The telephone number of a representative of the district who can provide additional information or institute arrangements for payment. Every notice of termination of service pursuant to subdivision (b) shall include the items of information in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (6), and (7). All written notices shall be in a clear and legible format. (e) If a residential customer fails to comply with an amortization agreement, the district shall not terminate service without giving notice to the customer at least 48 hours prior to termination of the conditions the customer is required to meet to avoid termination, but this notice does not entitle the customer to further investigation by the district. (f) No termination of service may be effected without compliance with this section. Any service wrongfully terminated shall be restored without charge for the restoration of the service, and a notation thereof shall be mailed to the customer at his or her billing address. 16483. No electrical, gas, heat, or water public utility district shall, by reason of delinquency in payment for any electric, gas, heat, or water services, cause cessation of any such services on any Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or at any time during which the business offices of the district are not open to the public. 16485. (a) A public utility district which acquires, constructs, owns, operates, controls or uses works for supplying its inhabitants with electricity, may fix and collect charges in the manner provided in Article 3 (commencing with Section 16461) and Article 8 (commencing with Section 16641), Chapter 4, Division 7 of the Public Utilities Code, for an electricity standby or immediate availability charge on all lands within its boundaries to which electricity is made available for any purpose by the district, whether the electricity is actually used or not. (b) The board of directors of the districts which fixes such a charge may exempt certain classes of users from such a charge and may establish schedules varying the charges in different months and in different localities within a public utility district depending upon factors such as the uses to which the electricity is put, the cost of transmitting the electricity to the user, the degree of availability or quantity of use of such electricity. The board may not, however, fix an annual charge in excess of twenty dollars ($20) per acre or in excess of ten dollars ($10) for a parcel of less than one acre. (c) Any funds derived from the charges levied pursuant to this section may be used by the district for all purposes which a public utility district is authorized to expend funds insofar as these purposes relate to the acquisition, construction, operation, control, or use of works for supplying its inhabitants with electricity. 16486. (a) In addition to all other powers, excepting telephone service, authorized by this division, the Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District may acquire, construct, own, and operate public parking facilities and cable television facilities and may provide snow removal and road maintenance services for all roads open to the public, including, but not limited to, public roads and roads offered for dedication but not accepted, within the district. Prior to providing any snow removal or road maintenance services, the district shall obtain the consent of any public agency owning the roads. Notwithstanding Section 16467, the facilities and services provided in this subdivision need not be operated on a self-sustaining, revenue-producing basis. Revenue to defray the cost of the facilities and services may be raised in any manner authorized by this division. (b) The Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District may exercise all of the powers of a mosquito abatement district or vector control district, as set forth in the Mosquito Abatement and Vector Control District Law (Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 2000) of Division 3 of the Health and Safety Code), within the service area of the Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District. 16487. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District may issue bonds and incur indebtedness pursuant to the Improvement Act of 1911 (Division 7 (commencing with Section 5000) of the Streets and Highways Code), the Municipal Improvement Act of 1913 (Division 12 (commencing with Section 10000) of the Streets and Highways Code), the Improvement Bond Act of 1915 (Division 10 (commencing with Section 8500) of the Streets and Highways Code), or the Revenue Bond Law of 1941 (Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 54300) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code) for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, owning, and operating any revenue-producing improvement, building, system, plant, works, facilities, undertaking, or other enterprise used for or useful for the generation, production, transmission, or distribution of electricity or gas for light, heat, or power for public or private uses. If the Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District is not incorporated on or before March 1, 1986, this section is repealed on that date. 16488. Every district shall comply with Section 8029.5. 16489. The June Lake Public Utility District may exercise all of the powers of a mosquito abatement district or vector control district, as set forth in the Mosquito Abatement and Vector Control District Law (Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 2000) of Division 3 of the Health and Safety Code), within the service area of the June Lake Public Utility District. Article 5. Purchase Of Supplies And Advertising
Ca Codes (puc:16531) Public Utilities Code Section 16531 16531. Except as otherwise provided, the board shall determine annually what goods, merchandise, stores, subsistence, materials, and other supplies will be needed by the district for the ensuing year. Article 6. Indebtedness And Financing
Ca Codes (puc:16571-16580) Public Utilities Code Section 16571-16580 16571. A district may borrow money and incur or assume indebtedness, and issue bonds or other evidences of indebtedness. 16572. A district may refund or retire any of its existing or assumed indebtedness. 16573. No district shall incur any funded indebtedness which in the aggregate exceeds 20 percent of the assessed valuation of all real and personal property situated within the district. 16574. The board of directors or other officers of the district may not incur any debt or liability, either by issuing bonds or otherwise, in excess of the express provisions of this division. Any debt or liability incurred in excess of those express provisions is absolutely void, excepting that the debt limitations may be exceeded where the district finances waterworks or sewage disposal facilities by means of a revenue bond issue, or by means of a general obligation bond issue, or by means provided by Section 16580 and makes provision to pledge, as additional security for the general obligation or indebtedness, all or any part of revenues received from the facilities over a period not to exceed 40 years, in which event the limitation of indebtedness set forth in Section 16573 of this code may not be applicable to the bonds or indebtedness so secured or so additionally secured by the revenue. 16575. A district may issue bonds for the purpose of acquiring or constructing any waterworks necessary or proper for carrying out the objects and purposes of the district, in like manner as other bonds are authorized to be issued under this division, and may pledge the revenue, income, receipts, and profits from the operation of the waterworks to the payment of the principal of and interest on the bonds. A district may, if it so elects, declare the payment thereof shall be made solely from the revenue, income, receipts, and profits. 16576. Notwithstanding any provision of this division limiting the amount of indebtedness which may be incurred by it, in order to repair and replace structures and equipment impaired or destroyed or both by flood, fire, earthquake, or other catastrophe, upon the unanimous vote of its board, a district may do any or all of the following: (a) Borrow money at a rate of interest not exceeding 8 percent a year, including borrowing from the United States or any of its agencies, in a principal amount not to exceed 6 percent of the assessed value of all real and personal property situated in the district. (b) Issue evidences of indebtedness to represent the sum borrowed. (c) Arrange terms for the repayment of the sum borrowed. 16577. A district may refinance any indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 16576 by borrowing from the United States or any of its agencies and issuing in connection therewith evidences of indebtedness in the form and upon the terms required by the United States or its agency. The sum so borrowed shall not exceed the amount of the obligation being refinanced, and interest shall not exceed 8 percent per year. The money so borrowed for refinancing shall be used only to repay the obligation for the retirement of which the money was borrowed. 16578. A district may accept, without limitation by any other provisions of this division requiring approval of indebtedness, contributions or loans from the United States, or any department, instrumentality, or agency thereof, for the purpose of financing the construction, maintenance, and operation of any enterprise in which the district is authorized to engage, and may enter into contracts and co-operate with, and accept co-operation from, the United States, or any department, instrumentality, or agency thereof, in the construction, maintenance, and operation, and in financing the construction, maintenance, and operation, of any such enterprise in accordance with any legislation which Congress may have heretofore adopted or may hereafter adopt, under which aid, assistance, and co-operation may be furnished by the United States in the construction, maintenance, and operation or in financing the construction, maintenance, and operation of any such enterprise. A district may do any and all things necessary in order to avail itself of such aid, assistance, and co-operation under any federal legislation now or hereafter enacted. Any evidence of indebtedness issued under this section shall constitute a negotiable instrument. 16580. A district may contract with any state agency to finance any district improvement authorized by Section 16461 that is related to the provision of water for human consumption. The terms of the contract shall be consistent with this chapter. Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter, the term of the contract may extend up to 30 years. Article 7. Receipts, Accounts, And Audits
Ca Codes (puc:16601-16614) Public Utilities Code Section 16601-16614 16601. Receipts from the operation of a public utility shall be paid daily into the treasury of the district in a special fund set aside for such public utility. 16602. The board may from time to time make appropriations from individual public utility funds for the following purposes: (a) The payment of operating expenses of the public utility and all or such portion of the general salary and expense fund of the district as the board determines is justly apportionable thereto. (b) Repairs and reconstruction. (c) Payment of interest and sinking fund on the bonds or indebtedness incurred or assumed for acquisition, construction, or completion of the public utility. (d) Extensions and improvements. (e) A reserve fund. 16603. Whenever a reserve fund exceeds one-half of the payment for operating expenses in the preceding fiscal year, the board may appropriate such excess to the general fund. 16604. The books of account of the district shall show all of the following: (a) The true and complete financial results of the ownership and operation of each public utility. (b) The actual cost of each public utility. (c) All costs of maintenance, extension, and improvement, and all operating expenses of every description. 16605. The accounts of the district shall be examined at least once a year by an expert accountant, who shall report to the directors the result of his examination. He shall be employed and selected in such manner as the board directs, and shall receive for his services such compensation as the board prescribes, to be paid out of the income or revenues of the district. 16606. Every two years the board may, and upon petition of 15 percent of the electors of the district shall, employ a qualified expert who shall with all due diligence examine and report upon the following: (a) The system of accounts kept by the district. (b) All the contracts made and entered into by the board within the two years immediately preceding. (c) The management of the utilities of the district, their operation, the service furnished, and the rates charged by the district. (d) The properties and investments of the district. (e) All official acts of the board relating to acquisition, construction, completion, extension, improvement, and betterment of the public utilities of the district. (f) The efficiency and adequacy of each public utility, and of the property used in connection with it or with its operation, the reasonableness of the service and commodities furnished, and of the rates and charges therefor. (g) All the business and affairs of the district relating to the ownership, management, and operation of each public utility of the district. 16607. The expense of employing an expert shall not exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) at any one time, to be paid out of the income and revenues of the district, as the board prescribes. 16608. Experts shall be selected by the Public Utilities Commission, and their names and addresses certified to the board of directors of the district. Several experts may be so selected and certified. 16609. Whenever an expert is to be employed pursuant to Section 16606, at least four months before each biennial district election the board shall request in writing the Public Utilities Commission to select and certify experts. The commission shall transmit the names of experts to the board making the request within two weeks after receipt of the request by the commission. 16610. Within 10 days after receipt of a certification the board shall by resolution entered on its minutes employ the expert, or one of the experts selected and certified, fix the amount of his compensation either absolutely or on a per diem basis, and notify the expert of his appointment. 16611. In his report the expert shall make such recommendations and suggestions as to him seem proper and required for the good of the district, the efficient and economical or advantageous management and operation of the public utility of the district, and the business and affairs of the district relating to such management and operation. 16612. In his report the expert shall make such recommendations and suggestions as to: (a) The system of accounts kept, or in his judgment to be kept in connection with each public utility. (b) The classification of the public utilities of the district and the establishment of a system of accounts for each class. (c) The manner in which such accounts shall be kept. (d) The forms of accounts, records, and memoranda kept or to be kept, including accounts, records, and memoranda of receipts and expenditures of money, and depreciation and sinking fund accounts, as in his judgment are proper and necessary. 16613. The expert shall enter upon his duties at least 90 days before the next impending biennial district election, and shall complete his examination and file his report at least 30 days before the election. 16614. The expert's report shall be made in duplicate to the electors of the district. One copy shall be filed with the board in the office of the clerk of the district, and one copy shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder of the county in which the district, or the greater part of its population, is situated. The county recorder shall record, index, and keep the report as a public record in his office, and shall make no charge for such recording. Article 8. Taxation
Ca Codes (puc:16641-16660) Public Utilities Code Section 16641-16660 16641. A district may levy and collect, or cause to be levied and collected, taxes for the purpose of carrying on its operations and paying its obligations. 16641.5. A district may impose a special tax pursuant to Article 3.5 (commencing with Section 50075) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 5 of the Government Code. The special taxes shall be applied uniformly to all taxpayers or all real property within the district, except that unimproved property may be taxed at a lower rate than improved property. 16642. Farm products and crops which are stored within the exterior boundaries of the district are not subject to taxation by the district. 16643. The board shall annually levy and collect a tax sufficient (a) to pay the annual interest on bonds, (b) to pay such part of the principal as will fall due within the succeeding year, and (c) to provide for the sinking fund payments of the next succeeding fiscal year. When the interest and sinking fund payments for any fiscal year on bonds issued for a public utility or public utility works can be met out of the surplus earnings of such public utility, or out of moneys in the general fund of the district theretofore appropriated and transferred to the sinking fund of the public utility, no tax shall be levied for such purpose. 16644. If from any cause the revenues of a district are inadequate to pay the principal or interest on any bonded debt as it becomes due, the board shall, or if funds are needed to carry out the objects and purposes of the district which cannot be provided out of the revenues of the district the board may, levy a tax for such purposes. 16645. The board shall state the purposes for which taxes are necessary, and shall fix by ordinance the amount of money necessary to be raised by taxation. 16646. By ordinance, the provisions of which conform to general law, the board may provide the manner of assessing and of correcting and equalizing assessments upon the taxable property situated within the district. 16647. The board may provide for the collection of delinquent taxes, penalties, interest, and costs by actions or legal proceedings brought, prosecuted, and maintained in the name of the district against the several owners of property from whom taxes are due and delinquent. 16648. The board may elect to avail itself of the assessments made by the assessors of the counties in which the district is situated, and may take such assessments as the basis for district taxation. It shall declare its election by ordinance and file a certified copy of the ordinance with the auditors of the counties in which the district is situated. 16649. An election pursuant to Section 16648 is effective with respect to all taxes levied and assessed after February 1 next succeeding the date upon which the certified copy is filed. Thereafter all assessments shall be made and taxes collected by the assessors or tax collectors of the counties in which the district is situated until the board by ordinance elects otherwise. When the board elects otherwise, a certified copy of such ordinance shall be filed with the auditors of the counties in which the district is situated and it is effective with respect to all taxes levied and assessed after February 1st next succeeding the date upon which the certified copy is filed. 16650. Upon receipt of the certified copy filed pursuant to Section 16648 the county auditors shall, on or before the second Monday in August of each year, transmit to the board a statement in writing showing the total value of all property within the district, ascertained from the assessment book of the counties for that year as equalized and corrected by the boards of supervisors. 16651. If the board elects to avail itself of county assessments, it shall, before September 1st, fix the rate of taxes, designating the number of cents upon each one hundred dollars ($100), using as a basis the value of property as ascertained from the equalized assessment rolls of the county or counties. The rate of taxation shall be sufficient to raise the amount previously fixed by the board. These acts by the board are a valid assessment of the property and a valid levy of the taxes so fixed. 16652. Immediately after fixing the rate of taxes the board shall transmit to the county auditors of the counties in which the district is situated a statement of the rate so fixed by it. 16653. The county auditors shall compute and enter in the assessment rolls, the district tax on the property enumerated and assessed as being in the district, using the rate of levy fixed by the board, and the assessed value as found in the assessment rolls. 16654. Taxes levied pursuant to Sections 16648 to 16653, inclusive, shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as county taxes. When collected, the net amount, as provided in this article, shall be paid to the treasurer of the district, under the general requirements and penalties provided by law for the settlement of other taxes. 16655. Each county auditor and tax collector shall annually file with the board of supervisors of his county itemized statements showing the additional expense to his office caused by performance of the duties imposed upon him by this article. Upon the filing of such statements the board of supervisors, by an order upon its minutes, shall deduct such expenses from the tax money of the district while in the hands of the tax collector and transfer the amount deducted into the county salary fund. Not more than one-half of 1 percent on the amount collected shall be so charged or deducted by any county. 16656. The boards of supervisors may provide extra help for their county offices or officers as in their judgment is necessary for the proper performance of their duties under this article. 16657. Whenever any real property situate in any district which has availed itself of county assessments has been sold for taxes and has been redeemed, the money paid for redemption shall be apportioned and paid by the county treasurer receiving it to the district, in the proportion which the tax due to the district bears to the total tax for which the property was sold. 16658. District taxes are a lien on the property on which they are levied, except that if, during the year preceding the date on which the first installment of real property taxes which evidence the charges appears on the roll, any real property to which such lien would attach has been transferred or conveyed to a bona fide purchaser for value, or if a lien of a bona fide encumbrancer for value has been created and attaches thereon, then the lien which would otherwise be imposed by this section shall not attach to such real property and the costs of such charges relating to such property shall be transferred to the unsecured roll for collection. The enforcement of the collection of district taxes may be had in the same manner and by the same means as is provided by law for the enforcement of liens for county taxes. 16659. Where a district has not availed itself of county assessments, delinquent property sold by the tax collector of the district for delinquent taxes shall be struck off by him to the district and shall thereafter be redeemed or disposed of as is provided by law in the case of delinquent property sold to the State for delinquent county taxes. 16660. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, in the case of a sale of property for taxes or assessments, except where the sale is conducted and the funds are accounted for as provided in Division 1 (commencing with Section 101) of the Revenue and Taxation Code, all proceeds shall be accounted for and distributed as provided in Article 12 (commencing with Section 53925) of Chapter 4 of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code. Article 9. Payment Of Claims Against Districts
Ca Codes (puc:16681-16682) Public Utilities Code Section 16681-16682 16681. No claims shall be paid until allowed by the board, and only upon a warrant signed by any two officers. 16682. All claims for money or damages against the district are governed by Part 3 (commencing with Section 900) and Part 4 (commencing with Section 940) of Division 3.6 of Title 1 of the Government Code except as provided therein, or by other statutes or regulations expressly applicable thereto. Chapter 5. Acquisition Of Works
Ca Codes (puc:16801-16817) Public Utilities Code Section 16801-16817 16801. As used in this chapter "acquisition of public utility works" includes construction, completion, or acquisition of public utilities or public utility works. 16802. Whenever any petition signed by electors of the district equal in number to 15 percent of all votes cast within the district at the last preceding general election of state and county officers is presented to the board asking for the acquisition of public utility works therein named, the clerk shall immediately examine and verify the signatures and certify the result of the examination to the board. If the required number of signatures is found genuine, the clerk shall transmit to the president of the board an authentic copy of the petition, without the signatures thereto. 16803. Upon receiving a petition certified to contain the required number of signatures, the board shall formulate for submission to the electors of the district at a general district election or at a special election called for that purpose a separate proposition for the acquisition of each public utility works named in the petition. 16804. In the formulation of a proposition the board shall procure plans and estimates of the cost of original construction and completion by the district of the public utility or, in case of the proposed acquisition of an existing utility works, the cost of original construction and completion by the district of similar works. The board shall also procure an estimate of the revenues that can be expected from the public utility works named in the petition. 16805. In securing estimates of the cost of original construction and completion of water works by the district, the board shall procure and place on file plans and estimates of the cost of obtaining from such sources as the board finds and designates as available a sufficient supply of good, pure water for the district. 16806. Before submitting propositions to the electors for the acquisition of any public utility works, the board shall solicit and consider offers for the sale to the district of existing utilities, or utility works of the same character, or such portion thereof as would be useful to the district, in order that the district may have the benefit of acquiring them at the lowest possible cost. 16807. The board may apply to the Public Utilities Commission to ascertain the value of existing utility works for the purpose of submitting to the electors estimates of the cost of acquiring them. 16808. Upon application by the board the commission without delay shall make a valuation in accordance with Chapter 8, Part 1 of Division 1 of this code. 16809. When the commission has made and filed its findings and decision, the board may have the findings reviewed in accordance with Chapter 8, Part 1 of Division 1, or the board may immediately adopt the findings and decision as the basis of its estimate of the cost of acquiring the public utility works by purchase or by condemnation. 16810. Upon the filing of plans and estimates the board shall determine whether the cost of the public utility works proposed for acquisition can be paid from revenues of the district from the operation of its public utilities in addition to the other necessary expenses of the district. 16811. When the cost of any public utility works named in a petition can be paid out of the revenues of the district derived from the operation of its public utilities, in addition to the other necessary expenses of the district, each proposition therefor submitted to the electors shall specify the cost of the public utility works proposed for acquisition by the district, the proposed method and manner of its payment, and the question whether the utility works shall be acquired upon such terms. 16812. If the cost of any public utility works named in a petition so far exceeds the revenues of the district derived from the operation of its public utilities, in addition to the other necessary expenses of the district, that it is necessary to incur a district bonded indebtedness, each proposition shall specify the amount of the necessary bonded indebtedness, its rate of interest, and the question whether such bonded indebtedness shall be incurred. 16813. At the next regular meeting after formulation of a proposition for the acquisition of the public utility works, the board by ordinance shall submit the proposition to the electors of the district at a general district election or at a special district election called for the purpose. 16814. All propositions formulated pursuant to Section 16803 shall be submitted within six months after filing of the petitions, unless more time is required for obtaining a valuation requested of the Public Utilities Commission, in which case the propositions shall be submitted as soon as possible after the valuation becomes final. 16815. The affirmative vote of a majority of the electors voting upon the proposition is necessary to accept a proposition submitted under Section 16811. 16816. The affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the electors voting upon the proposition is necessary to approve a proposition submitted under Section 16812 and to warrant the issuance of district bonds therefor. 16817. At as early a date after determination of the election result as the board deems is for the best interests of the district, it shall undertake proceedings and enter into the negotiations and contracts necessary for the acquisition of the public utility works named in any proposition approved by the majority of the electors voting at the election. Article 2. Resolution To Acquire Works
Ca Codes (puc:16841-16846) Public Utilities Code Section 16841-16846 16841. Whenever the board determines that the public interest or necessity of the district demands the acquisition of any public utility works, it shall specifically declare such determination by a resolution. 16842. The board shall procure plans and estimates and negotiate for offers for the sale to the district of existing public utility works in the same manner as specified in Article 1 of this chapter. 16843. When the cost of the public utility works can be paid out of the revenues of the district derived from the operation of its public utilities, in addition to the other necessary expenses of the district, as soon after the filing of the plans and estimates as the board deems is for the best interests of the district, it shall by ordinance determine to acquire such public utility works. 16844. The ordinance shall be published pursuant to Section 6066 of the Government Code in some newspaper of general circulation printed and published in the district or, if there is no such newspaper in the district, in some newspaper of general circulation printed and published in the county where all or part of the district is situated. The ordinance shall state the proposed cost of the acquisition and the proposed method and manner of its payment. If the ordinance involves the expenditure of more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), it shall not become effective until 30 days after its final passage. 16845. If the cost of the public utility works so far exceeds the revenues of the district derived from the operation of its public utilities, in addition to the other necessary expenses of the district, that it is necessary to incur a district bonded indebtedness, the board, at a regular meeting held within 60 days after the filing of the plans and estimates of cost and expected revenue, by ordinance shall submit the proposition as to whether bonded indebtedness shall be incurred for acquisition of the public utility works, to the electors of the district at a general district election or at a special district election called for the purpose. 16846. Propositions submitted pursuant to Section 16845 shall specify the amount of bonded indebtedness necessary for the acquisition of the public utility works, the rate of interest thereon, and the question whether the bonded indebtedness shall be incurred. The affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the electors voting at the election upon the proposition is necessary to warrant the issuance of district bonds for the acquisition of any public utility works. Article 3. Joint Acquisition And Use Of Sewage Facilities And Water Works
Ca Codes (puc:16871-16885) Public Utilities Code Section 16871-16885 16871. As used in this article, "public agency" includes the Federal Government or any of its branches, and any county, city, district, or other public corporation. 16872. As used in this article, "sewage disposal facilities" includes sewers or other works or facilities for the handling, treatment, or disposal of sewage. 16873. A district may contract with any public agency or with any person, firm, or corporation, for the joint acquisition, construction, or use of any sewage disposal facilities for the servicing of the public utility district and such other area as may be designated in the contract, when in the judgment of the board it is for the best interests of the district so to do. 16874. A contract may provide for the construction and maintenance of sewage disposal facilities, and for the payment by or for the parties to the contract of such proportionate part of the cost of their acquisition, construction, or maintenance as may be stated in the contract. The payments shall be made at such times and in such amounts as provided by the contract. 16875. A contract may provide for the joint use of any sewage disposal facilities upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by the parties to the contract, and for the flowage, treatment or disposal of sewage from such area for each of the parties as may be described in the contract. 16876. A district which has acquired or constructed or which proposes to acquire or construct any sewage disposal facilities, may contract with any public agency or with any person, firm, or corporation for the use of any such sewage disposal facilities by any such public agency, or for the flowage, treatment, or disposal of sewage from any area designated by the person, firm, or corporation so contracting, upon such terms and conditions as may be provided in the contract. 16878. Sections 16873 to 16876, inclusive, shall be liberally construed to the end that sewer systems may be planned for areas requiring sewers, which may not all be in one district, and that any sewage disposal facilities required or constructed by any public utility district may be used to the fullest capacity. 16879. Any contract or agreement made under Sections 16873 to 16876, inclusive, is not subject to the limitations of Section 16474. 16880. A district may contract with any public agency or with any person, firm, or corporation for the joint acquisition or construction or use of any water works or other facilities for supplying water to the public utility district or such other public agency and to such other area as may be designated in the contract, when in the judgment of the board of directors of the public utility district it is for the best interests of the district so to do. 16881. A contract may provide for the construction and maintenance of water works or other facilities and for the payment by or for the parties to the contract of such proportionate part of the cost of the acquisition, construction, or maintenance of such water works or other facilities as may be stated in the contract. Payments shall be made at such time and in such amounts as provided by the contract. 16882. A contract may provide for the joint use of any water works or other facilities upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by the parties to the contract for such area for each of the parties as may be described in the contract. 16883. A district which has acquired or constructed or which proposes to acquire or construct any water works or other facilities for supplying water to the district may contract with any public agency, or with any person, firm, or corporation for the use of any such water works or facilities by the public agency for the furnishing of water to any area designated by such public agency, person, firm, or corporation upon such terms and conditions as may be provided in the contract. 16884. No agreement under Sections 16880 to 16883, inclusive, shall run for a longer period than 30 years; provided that in case bonds are issued to finance such waterworks, such agreement may be extended until such bonds are matured and redeemed. Any contract made with the federal government or any branch thereof is not subject to this restriction or limitation. 16885. Sections 16880 to 16884, inclusive, shall be liberally construed to the end that water works and systems may be planned by public utility districts for areas requiring them which may not all be in one district and to the end that they may be used to the fullest capacity. Any contract or agreement made under these sections is not subject to the limitations provided in Section 16474, and such a contract or agreement made with the Federal Government, or any branch thereof, is not subject to the limitations provided in Section 16573. Chapter 6. Bonds
Ca Codes (puc:17001-17009) Public Utilities Code Section 17001-17009 17001. District bonds shall be of such form and shall be redeemed at such times and in such amounts as the board may from time to time prescribe. However, the redemption of the bonds shall begin in not more than 15 years and shall be completed in not more than 75 years from the date of issue. 17002. The bonds are payable, principal and interest, in lawful money of the United States. 17003. The interest on the bonds, other than bonds for sewage works, shall not exceed 8 percent a year. The interest on bonds for sewage works shall not exceed 8 percent a year. 17004. The bonds shall be issued in such denomination or denominations as the board may prescribe and may be sold by the board at such times and in such manner as it determines, but at not less than par and accrued interest. 17005. District bonds have the same force, value, and use as bonds issued by a municipality. 17006. The proceeds from the sale of bonds shall be placed in the treasury to the credit of the proper fund, and shall be applied exclusively to the purposes and objects mentioned in the ordinance authorizing their issue until such objects are fully accomplished, after which, if any surplus remains, the surplus may be transferred to the general fund, except that a surplus exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000) shall be wholly transferred to the appropriate fund to pay interest and maintain the sinking fund, or provide for the retirement of the bonded indebtedness in connection with which the surplus remains. 17007. The bonds shall be signed by the president of the board and countersigned by the clerk, and shall have the seal of the district attached. The coupons shall be numbered consecutively and signed by the treasurer, by original or facsimile signature, and the bonds and coupons shall be payable at the office of the treasurer. 17008. Notwithstanding the fact that an officer whose signature, countersignature, or attestation appears on any bonds or coupons thereof ceases to be such officer before the sale or delivery of such bonds, his signature, countersignature, or attestation appearing either on the bonds or the coupons, or on both, is valid and sufficient for all purposes the same as if he had remained in office until the sale or delivery of the bonds. 17009. In determining the amount of bonds to be issued, the legislative body may include: (a) All costs and estimated costs incidental to or connected with the acquisition, construction, improving or financing of the project. (b) All engineering, inspection, legal and fiscal agent's fees, costs of the bond election and of the issuance of said bonds, bond reserve funds and working capital and bond interest estimated to accrue during the construction period and for a period of not to exceed 12 months after completion of construction. Chapter 6.5. Adoption Of Improvement Acts
Ca Codes (puc:17010-17013) Public Utilities Code Section 17010-17013 17010. Whenever, in the opinion of the board, the public interest or convenience may require, it may order to be done in, under, or upon the whole or any portion of any one or more of the streets or public places of the district, or any property or rights-of-way owned by the district, any work or improvement which the district is authorized to do and provide that the cost thereof shall be assessed upon the lots and lands fronting on the streets or public places, or upon any district which may be assessed therefor, and which need not be composed of lands contiguous to each other. The Improvement Act of 1911, the Municipal Improvement Act of 1913, and the Improvement Bond Act of 1915, as now or hereafter provided, are applicable to districts. 17011. In the application of said acts to proceedings under this section the terms used in said acts shall have the following meanings: (a) "City council" and "council" mean board; (b) "City" and "municipality" mean district; (c) "Clerk" and "city clerk" mean secretary; (d) "Superintendent of streets" and "street superintendent" and "city engineer" mean the engineer of the district, or any other person appointed to perform such duties; (e) "Tax collector" means county tax collector; (f) "Treasurer" and "city treasurer" mean the treasurer of the public utility district, unless the district elects to use the county treasurer as provided in Section 16036, in which case it is the county treasurer as ex officio treasurer of the district; (g) "Right-of-way" means any parcel of land in, on, under or through which a right-of-way or easement has been granted to the district for the purpose of constructing or maintaining or work or improvements which the district is authorized to do. 17012. The powers and duties conferred by said acts and supplementary acts upon boards, officers, and agents of cities shall be exercised by the board, officers, and agents of the district, respectively. 17013. The improvements authorized to be constructed or acquired by this chapter are restricted to those permitted to be constructed or acquired pursuant to this division. Chapter 7. Validating Proceedings
Ca Codes (puc:17101) Public Utilities Code Section 17101 17101. An action to determine the validity of bonds or indebtedness, authorized for the acquisition, construction, or completion of any public utility or public utility works, may be brought pursuant to Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 860) of Title 10 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure. For such purpose an indebtedness shall be deemed to be in existence upon its authorization. Chapter 8. Annexation
Ca Codes (puc:17301-17302) Public Utilities Code Section 17301-17302 17301. Unincorporated territory contiguous or noncontiguous to a district may be annexed to the district in the manner provided in the District Reorganization Act of 1965 (commencing with Section 56000 of the Government Code). 17302. Any district in the Lake Tahoe Basin which is able to provide to incorporated territory contiguous to such district a sewer system and treatment facilities sufficient to handle and treat any resultant sewage and provide transportation facilities sufficient to transport any resultant sewage effluent outside the Lake Tahoe Basin may annex such territory in the manner provided in the District Reorganization Act of 1965 unless the city of which such territory is a part provides or has undertaken to provide such sewer system, treatment and transportation facilities. Article 2. Annexation Of Noncontiguous Territory
Ca Codes (puc:17360-17381) Public Utilities Code Section 17360-17381 17360. As used in this article, "petitioning district" means any public utility district, water district, or irrigation district containing land which is to be annexed to a public utility district. 17361. As used in this article, "annexing district" means any public utility district to which land is to be annexed. 17362. Land not a part of and not contiguous to any district, containing at least 10 privately owned acres, and lying within the exterior boundaries of any petitioning district, the nearest boundary of which is within three miles of the nearest boundary of the annexing district may be annexed to the annexing district in the manner provided in this article or in the District Reorganization Act of 1965 (commencing at Section 56000, Government Code). When proceedings for such annexation are taken pursuant to this article, only the provisions of this article shall apply thereto. 17363. The board of directors or other governing body of the petitioning district may request by petition that lands lying within its boundaries and described in the petition be annexed to the annexing district upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the petition. 17364. The petition shall be addressed to the board of directors of the annexing district and filed with the secretary of the annexing district. 17365. The execution and filing of the petition by the petitioning district shall be authorized by resolution of its board of directors and a certified copy of the resolution shall be filed with the petition. 17366. If the board of directors of the annexing district determines that the annexation of the territory will facilitate the acquisition, construction, completion, or operation of any public utilities works of the petitioning district, or the annexing district, and will not operate to the disadvantage of the annexing district, and that the territory proposed to be annexed will be benefited by the annexation, it shall determine the terms and conditions upon which the annexation shall be made. 17367. In the terms and conditions, the board may provide for any of the following: (a) That the territory to be annexed shall not become liable by assessment or otherwise (1) for any of the outstanding obligations of the annexing district; (2) for any expense incurred in acquiring property used or to be used for the servicing of any land within the exterior boundaries of the annexing district as they then exist; (3) for any costs or charges incurred in connection with the replacement or construction of any utility system or for the delivery of any commodity or service within the annexing district. (b) That the land to be annexed shall be subject to such assessments and charges as required to provide (1) for any utility system or property necessary to serve the annexed land; (2) for the costs of maintaining, servicing, and operating such properties. (c) That the liability of the land to be annexed may be limited solely to the fixing and collecting of charges for utilities or commodities actually supplied to the petitioning district by the annexing district. 17368. The terms and conditions may also provide for any of the following: (a) That any and all property, services, or commodities may be delivered directly to the petitioning district. (b) That the annexation may be made contingent upon the annexing district obtaining the necessary approval for the annexing of such lands from any and all agencies, authorities, and districts of which the annexing district may be a member. (c) That the annexed territory may be required to waive and will not be entitled to receive, use, or participate in any services, commodities, or property or some specific part thereof which may be owned by the annexing district, or to which it may be entitled. (d) Any other terms and conditions authorized by the District Reorganization Act of 1965 (commencing at Section 56000, Government Code). 17369. The terms and conditions shall become effective and binding upon the annexing district and upon the territory to be annexed and the petitioning district when approved in the manner provided in this article. 17370. The resolution of the board of directors of the annexing district shall describe the territory proposed to be annexed and set forth the terms and conditions at length upon which the annexation is proposed to be made, and declare the board's intention of approving such annexation upon the terms and conditions therein specified. 17370.1. After the board of directors of the annexing district shall have adopted a resolution declaring its intention of approving an annexation the secretary of such district shall file a certified copy of such resolution with the executive officer of the local agency formation commission. 17370.2. After said resolution has been filed with the executive officer, proceedings thereon shall be taken by the local agency formation commission in the manner and subject to the provisions of Part 4 (commencing at Section 56250, Government Code) of the District Reorganization Act of 1965. If the resolution and proposed annexation are approved by the commission, with or without amendment, wholly, partially or conditionally, it shall be mandatory for the board of directors of the annexing district to complete the proceedings for such annexation, subject to compliance with the commission's resolution making determinations. 17371. After receipt of the resolution of the local agency formation commission making determinations, the board of directors of the annexing district shall cause publication of its resolution declaring its intention of approving such annexation and a notice fixing the time and place of hearing thereon and notifying all persons interested in or that may be affected by the proposed annexation of territory to appear at the meeting and show cause in writing, if any they have, why the territory or any part of it should not be annexed as proposed in the resolution. The notice and resolution shall be published pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code in a newspaper of general circulation printed and published in the annexing district, or if there is no such newspaper, in a newspaper of general circulation printed and published in the county where all or a part of the annexing district is situated. 17372. The time fixed for hearing shall not be less than 20 days nor more than 60 days after the date of the first publication of the resolution, and the notice and resolution shall be posted in three public places in the territory proposed to be annexed at least 15 days before the date set for the hearing. 17373. At the hearing or any continuance thereof, the board of directors of the annexing district shall hear all relevant evidence and shall determine whether the territory shall be annexed and upon what terms and conditions, if any, such annexation shall be made. 17374. At the hearing or any prior time, any person interested may file with the board of directors of the annexing district a written protest to the proposed annexation or to the approval of the terms and conditions. 17375. If written protests are filed by the owners of taxable property in the territory proposed to be annexed, the board of directors shall refer the protests to the board of supervisors of the county in which the district is situated. The board of supervisors shall thereupon hold a hearing on the protests after notice given in the manner provided in Article 2, Chapter 2 of this division. 17376. If the board of supervisors finds and determines at the hearing that the property described in the protests will not be substantially benefited by annexation to the district, it may notify the board of directors of the annexing district that such property shall not be annexed to the district, and the board of directors shall take the necessary steps to exclude the property from the territory proposed to be annexed. 17377. Any person who is interested in any land located within the annexing district or the territory to be annexed and who does not file a written protest is deemed to have assented to the annexation of the territory set forth in the petition of the petitioning district, and upon the terms and conditions set forth therein. 17378. After the hearing, the board of directors of the annexing district may adopt a resolution ordering and approving the annexation. 17379. The annexing board shall by resolution describe the territory ordered to be annexed, and set forth the boundaries of the district as they will exist after the annexation. The order shall also set forth in detail the terms and conditions, if any, of the annexation; and if the annexation is for limited purposes only, the land which is being annexed shall be described as one parcel and the land of the annexing district shall be described as a separate and distinct parcel. 17380. After adoption of the resolution ordering the annexation, the secretary of the annexing district shall make the filings provided for in Chapter 8 (commencing at Section 56450, Government Code) of Part 5 of the District Reorganization Act of 1965. A certified copy of the resolution provided for by Section 17379 shall accompany and be made a part of such filings. The annexation shall be completed and effective on the dates specified in said Chapter 8. 17381. The inclusion in, or annexation or addition to, a public utility district of the corporate area of any public corporation or public agency shall not destroy the identity or legal existence or impair the powers of any such public corporation or public agency, notwithstanding the identity of purpose, or substantial identity of purpose, of such public utility district. Chapter 9. Exclusion Of Territory
Ca Codes (puc:17501) Public Utilities Code Section 17501 17501. Any territory within a district which is not benefited in any manner by the district or its continued inclusion therein may be excluded from the district by proceedings under and pursuant to the District Reorganization Act of 1965 (commencing at Section 56000, Government Code). Chapter 11. Zones In Districts In Lake Tahoe Basin
Ca Codes (puc:18050-18055) Public Utilities Code Section 18050-18055 18050. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any public utility district in the Lake Tahoe Basin which has provided or undertaken to provide a sewer system and treatment facilities which transport or are intended to transport any resultant sewage effluent outside the Lake Tahoe Basin, may form zones and issue zone bonds for the purpose of financing the costs of interceptor trunk sewers, force mains, pumping stations and appurtenant structures in the zone which, in the opinion of its board of directors, are necessary or useful in connecting local sewerage collection systems to the major sewage works and system of the district, or which are necessary or useful in causing local areas to install sewerage collection systems, as provided in this chapter. 18051. (a) The zones authorized by this chapter shall be formed in the same manner as assessment districts are formed pursuant to the Municipal Improvement Act of 1913 (Division 12 (commencing with Section 10000), Streets and Highways Code). (b) The resolution of intention to form a zone shall briefly describe the proposed improvement, specify the exterior boundaries of the zone, and specify the maximum amount of zone bonds to be issued to finance the proposed improvement. (c) Upon the conclusion of the hearing on the resolution of intention and the adoption of the resolution declaring the zone formed, the board of directors of the district may proceed with the issuance of zone bonds, not exceeding the amount specified in the resolution of intention, and with the construction of the proposed improvement. The board may exercise any and all powers of the district in the zone necessary to construct the proposed improvement. The board shall formulate the proposition to issue zone bonds and shall conduct an election in the zone affected in the same manner as for bonds of the district pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 16801), Chapter 5 of this division. An affirmative vote of two-thirds of the electors voting in the zone is necessary to issue zone bonds. 18052. Bonds of a zone formed pursuant to this chapter shall be issued in the amount of the costs of the improvements of the zone, notwithstanding Section 16573, payable in 25 or less serial annual amounts, and shall be in the same form, payable in the same manner, and be of the same effect as bonds of the district issued pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 17001) of this division. 18054. The board shall annually, at the time of levying taxes for general district purposes, fix a rate of ad valorem tax upon the taxable real property in the zone created therefor, sufficient to pay the zone bond principal and interest as they become due before the proceeds of another such levy shall be available therefor, and such tax shall be levied, collected and money collected therefrom shall be expended to pay zone bonds principal and interest, in the same manner and with the same effect as taxes levied to pay bonds of the district pursuant to Article 8 (commencing with Section 16641), Chapter 4 of this division. 18055. The Legislature hereby finds and declares that special facts exist with respect to public utility districts in the Lake Tahoe Basin which require the enactment of this chapter, applicable only to such districts. The special facts are as follows: (a) There is an urgent need for immediate action in providing an adequate system of sewer treatment and export facilities in order to prevent the pollution of the waters of Lake Tahoe. (b) There are areas in these districts which are and will continue to be required to install sewerage collection systems which cannot now be connected to the major sewerage works and system of the districts. (c) All areas of these districts are being required to connect to and use the works and system of the districts where they are available to them, but there is no economical means of providing the necessary intervening facilities which will be inviting to the owners of said areas to provide said facilities. (d) The procedure provided in this chapter will stimulate and engender said purpose and thus help to bring about an early solution to the Lake Tahoe water pollution problem.