reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
NE Code § 16-679 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 16 - Cities of the First Class|16-679 - Service; duty to provide; rates; regulation.

16-679.  Service; duty to provide; rates; regulation.The mayor and city council of a city of the first class shall have power (1) to require every individual or private corporation operating such works or plants, subject to reasonable rules and regulations, to furnish any person applying therefor, along the line of its pipes, mains, wires, or other conduits, with gas, water, power, light, or heat, and to supply such city with water for fire protection, and with gas, water, power, light, or heat, for other necessary public or private purposes, (2) to regulate and fix the rents or rates of water, power, gas, electric light, or heat, and (3) to regulate and fix the charges for water meters, power meters, gas meters, electric light, or heat meters, or other device or means necessary for determining the consumption of water, power, gas, electric light, or heat. These powers shall not be abridged by ordinance, resolution, or contract.Source   Laws 1901, c. 18, § 55, p. 273;   R.S.1913, § 4955;   C.S.1922, § 4124;   C.S.1929, § 16-653;   R.S.1943, § 16-679;  Laws 2016, LB704, § 137;  Laws 2019, LB194, § 67.  Annotations  Under facts in this case, ordinance fixing rates for electrical energy supplied by city-owned plant was not subject to referendum. Hoover v. Carpenter, 188 Neb. 405, 197 N.W.2d 11 (1972). A city fixing rates acts in a legislative, rather than a judicial capacity. A utility is entitled to a fair return. Rates fixed by city are presumed to be correct and reasonable and burden is on party attacking them to show they are unreasonable. A litigant who invokes the provisions of this statute may not challenge its constitutionality. Kansas-Nebraska Nat. Gas Co., Inc. v. City of Sidney, 186 Neb. 168, 181 N.W.2d 682 (1970). Cities of the first class may regulate rates to be charged for gas. Nebraska Natural Gas Co. v. City of Lexington, 167 Neb. 413, 93 N.W.2d 179 (1958). City's authority to erect, extend or to improve and to maintain a sewer system and to issue bonds payable from taxes is independent and complete. State ex rel. City of Columbus v. Price, 127 Neb. 132, 254 N.W. 889 (1934). City cannot make contract for light and power with provision that precludes it from changing the rates during the life thereof, and a contract so doing is void. Central Power Co. v. City of Kearney, 274 F. 253 (8th Cir. 1921).
NE Code § 16-681 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 16 - Cities of the First Class|16-681 - Municipal utilities; service; rates; regulation.

16-681.  Municipal utilities; service; rates; regulation.Any city of the first class owning, operating or maintaining its own gas, water, power, light, or heat system shall furnish any person applying therefor, along the line of its pipes, mains, wires, or other conduits, subject to reasonable rules and regulations, with gas, water, power, light, or heat. Such city shall regulate and fix the rental or rate for gas, water, power, light, or heat and regulate and fix the charges for water meters, power meters, gas meters, light meters, or heat meters or other device or means necessary for determining the consumption of gas, water, power, light, or heat. Such city shall require water meters, gas meters, light meters, power meters, or heat meters to be used, or other device or means necessary for determining the consumption of gas, water, power, light, or heat.Source   Laws 1901, c. 18, § 57, p. 275;   R.S.1913, § 4957;   C.S.1922, § 4126;   C.S.1929, § 16-655;   Laws 1937, c. 23, § 1, p. 146;   C.S.Supp.,1941, § 16-655;   R.S.1943, § 16-681;  Laws 2016, LB704, § 139.  Annotations Water service to persons outside the corporate limits of the city is contractual and permissive. Burger v. City of Beatrice, 181 Neb. 213, 147 N.W.2d 784 (1967).
NE Code § 16-682 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 16 - Cities of the First Class|16-682 - Municipal utilities; service; delinquent rents; lien; collection.

16-682.  Municipal utilities; service; delinquent rents; lien; collection.Any city of the first class operating a municipal utility under section 16-681 shall have the right and power to tax, assess, and collect from the inhabitants of the city such rent or rents for the use and benefit of water, gas, power, light, or heat used or supplied to them by such waterworks, mains, pump, or extension of any system of waterworks, or water supply, or by such gas, light, or heat system, as the city council shall by ordinance deem just or expedient. With respect to water rates, taxes, or rents only, such water rates, taxes, or rents, when delinquent, shall be a lien upon the premises or real estate upon or for which the water is used or supplied, and such water taxes, rents, or rates shall be paid and collected and such lien enforced in such manner as the city council shall by ordinance direct and provide. Any delinquent water rentals which remain unpaid for a period of three months after they become due may be, by resolution of the city council, assessed against such real estate as a special assessment, which special assessment shall be certified by the city clerk to the county clerk of the county in which the city is situated. The county clerk shall place such special assessments on the tax rolls for collection, subject to the same penalties and to be collected in like manner as other city taxes. The city council shall notify in writing nonoccupying owners of premises or their agents whenever their tenants or lessees are sixty days delinquent in the payment of water rent. Thereafter, if the owner of such real estate or his or her agent within the city shall notify the city council in writing to discontinue water service to the real estate or the occupants thereof, it shall be the duty of the officer in charge of the water department promptly to discontinue such service, and rentals for any water furnished to the occupants of such real estate in violation of such notice shall not be a lien thereon.Source   Laws 1937, c. 26, § 1, p. 147;   C.S.Supp.,1941, § 16-655;   R.S.1943, § 16-682;  Laws 2016, LB704, § 140.
NE Code § 16-683 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 16 - Cities of the First Class|16-683 - Construction; bonds; plan and estimate required; extensions, additions, and enlargements.

16-683.  Construction; bonds; plan and estimate required; extensions, additions, and enlargements.Before submitting any proposition for borrowing money for any of the purposes mentioned in sections 16-673, 16-674, and 16-680, the mayor and city council shall determine upon and adopt a system of sewerage, waterworks, heating, lighting, or power, as the case may be, and shall determine upon and adopt a plan for constructing drains or culverts, or for doing other work upon or in connection with watercourses or waterways as authorized in section 16-680. The mayor and city council shall procure from the city engineer an estimate of the actual cost of such system, an estimate of the cost of so much thereof as the mayor and city council may propose to construct with the amount proposed to be borrowed, and plans of such system. The estimate shall be placed and remain in the hands of the city clerk, subject to public inspection during all the times such proposition to borrow money shall be pending. After a system shall have been adopted, no other system or plan shall be adopted in lieu thereof unless authorized by a vote of the people. After construction of any such systems, works, or improvements as are authorized in sections 16-673, 16-674, and 16-680, the city may by vote of the people issue bonds to construct extensions, additions, or enlargements thereof, but not to exceed one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars in any one year, and the total amount of outstanding bonded indebtedness of any such city for the initial construction of any such systems, works, or improvements and for the construction of extensions, additions, and enlargements thereof shall not exceed the respective aggregate limitations of amount imposed under section 16-680.Source   Laws 1901, c. 18, § 58, p. 275;   Laws 1913, c. 35, § 2, p. 113;   R.S.1913, § 4958;   C.S.1922, § 4127;   C.S.1929, § 16-656;   R.S.1943, § 16-683;   Laws 1947, c. 27, § 1, p. 132;  Laws 2016, LB704, § 141.
NE Code § 16-684 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 16 - Cities of the First Class|16-684 - Construction; operation; location; eminent domain; procedure.

16-684.  Construction; operation; location; eminent domain; procedure.When a system of waterworks or sewerage, power, heating, lighting, or drainage shall have been adopted as provided under sections 16-680 to 16-683, the mayor and city council may erect and construct and maintain such system of waterworks or sewerage or power plant, lighting, heating, or drainage, either within or without the corporate limits of the city, make all needful rules and regulations concerning their use, and do all acts necessary for their construction, completion, management, and control not inconsistent with law, including the taking of private property for the public use for their construction and operation. The procedure to condemn property shall be exercised in the manner set forth in sections 76-704 to 76-724, except as to property specifically excluded by section 76-703 and as to which sections 19-701 to 19-707 are applicable.Source   Laws 1901, c. 18, § 59, p. 275;   Laws 1909, c. 19, § 1, p. 186;   Laws 1913, c. 35, § 3, p. 114;   R.S.1913, § 4959;   C.S.1922, § 4128;   Laws 1929, c. 43, § 1, p. 187;   C.S.1929, § 16-657;   R.S.1943, § 16-684;   Laws 1951, c. 101, § 54, p. 472;  Laws 2016, LB704, § 142.  Annotations A city may acquire existing electric and waterworks systems by eminent domain, but such power cannot extend so as to acquire a utilities property which furnishes several kinds of utility service, and is operated as a unit. Central Power Co. v. Nebraska City, 112 F.2d 471 (8th Cir. 1940).
NE Code § 16-684.01 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 16 - Cities of the First Class|16-684.01 - Reserve funds; water mains and equipment; when authorized; labor.

16-684.01.  Reserve funds; water mains and equipment; when authorized; labor.After the establishment of a system of waterworks in any city of the first class, the mayor and city council may expend any accumulated reserve funds in its water department for the purpose of laying and relaying water mains and the installation of water equipment for fire protection. The city shall have the power and authority to employ the necessary labor therefor without the necessity of advertising for bids or of letting a contract or contracts therefor.Source   Laws 1945, c. 24, § 1, p. 133;  Laws 2016, LB704, § 143.
NE Code § 16-685 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 16 - Cities of the First Class|16-685 - Transferred to section 19-2701.

16-685.  Transferred to section 19-2701.
NE Code § 16-686 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 16 - Cities of the First Class|16-686 - Rural lines; when authorized; rates.

16-686.  Rural lines; when authorized; rates.Any city of the first class is hereby authorized and empowered, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of sections 16-684 and 19-2701, to construct, maintain, and operate the necessary rural transmission and distribution lines for a distance of eighteen miles from the corporate limits of such city upon, along, and across any of the public highways of this state under the conditions and provisions prescribed by law for the construction of electric transmission and distribution lines to persons, firms, associations, or corporations. Before the construction of any such rural electric transmission or distribution lines shall be undertaken, such city shall enter into contracts for electric service with persons, firms, associations, or corporations to be served at rates which will produce an annual gross revenue to such city equal to not less than fifteen percent of the cost of such construction. Such city shall thereafter adjust such rates when necessary to produce such gross revenue.Source   Laws 1929, c. 43, § 1, p. 188;   C.S.1929, § 16-657;   R.S.1943, § 16-686;   Laws 1945, c. 22, § 1, p. 130;  Laws 2016, LB704, § 144.
NE Code § 16-686.01 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 16 - Cities of the First Class|16-686.01 - Natural gas distribution system; service to cities of the second class and villages; when authorized.

16-686.01.  Natural gas distribution system; service to cities of the second class and villages; when authorized.Any city of the first class owning and operating a natural gas distribution system within such city, and owning and operating its own lateral supply line from its distribution system to a natural gas pipeline source of supply, may by ordinance, where such lateral supply line is so located with reference to any cities of the second class or villages within twenty miles of such city not then being supplied with natural gas and having no other source of gas supply available, make gas service available at retail to such municipalities and for that purpose construct, operate, and maintain connecting lines to and natural gas distribution systems in the municipalities. Such city prior to the construction of such facilities and the rendering of such service shall secure from the respective municipalities to be served a natural gas franchise as provided by law.Source   Laws 1951, c. 24, § 1, p. 114;  Laws 2016, LB704, § 145.
NE Code § 16-687 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 16 - Cities of the First Class|16-687 - Contracts; terms; special election.

16-687.  Contracts; terms; special election.If bonds to finance the construction or acquisition of waterworks, gas, electric, or other light works, or heating or power system, by the city are not approved under section 16-676 or sections 16-680 to 16-683, or if the city fails to obtain an adequate supply of good water, then the mayor and city council may contract with and procure individuals or corporations to construct and maintain a system of waterworks, power, heating, or lighting plant in such city for any time not exceeding twenty years from the date of the contract, with a reservation to the city of the right to purchase such waterworks, lighting, heating, or power plant at any time after the lapse of ten years from the date of the contract upon payment to such individuals or corporations of any amount to be determined from the contract, not exceeding the cost of the construction of such waterworks, power, lighting, or heating plant. In other respects such contract may be on such terms as may be agreed upon by a two-thirds vote of the city council. No such contract shall be made unless authorized by a majority vote of the legal voters of such city at a special election called for that purpose, notice of which shall be given by publication once each week for three successive weeks prior thereto in a legal newspaper in or of general circulation in such city.Source   Laws 1901, c. 18, § 60, p. 276;   Laws 1907, c. 13, § 1, p. 120;   R.S.1913, § 4961;   C.S.1922, § 4130;   C.S.1929, § 16-659;   R.S.1943, § 16-687;   Laws 1951, c. 26, § 4, p. 119;  Laws 2016, LB704, § 146.  Annotations After having voted bonds and constructed a waterworks system, and having failed to obtain adequate supply of water, city may contract with private company for supplemental water supply. Hevelone v. City of Beatrice, 120 Neb. 648, 234 N.W. 791 (1931).
NE Code § 16-688 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 16 - Cities of the First Class|16-688 - Water; unwholesome supply; purification system; authority to install; election; tax authorized.

16-688.  Water; unwholesome supply; purification system; authority to install; election; tax authorized.When any city of the first class has approved bonds and constructed a system of waterworks and obtained an adequate supply of water but the water is turbid or unwholesome during the whole or a portion of the year, the mayor and city council may without having previously made an appropriation therefor, when authorized by a majority vote of the electors voting on the question, which may be submitted at either a special or a general city election, construct, purchase, or enter into a contract for the construction or purchase of and install, establish, operate, and maintain a system of settling reservoirs, a system of filters, or both, for the purpose of clarifying and purifying such water. Notice of such election shall be given by publication once each week three successive weeks prior thereto in a legal newspaper in or of general circulation in such city. The city may levy taxes on all taxable property of such city, not to exceed three and five-tenths cents on each one hundred dollars upon the taxable value thereof in any one year for the payment of the cost thereof.Source   Laws 1907, c. 13, § 1, p. 120;   R.S.1913, § 4961;   C.S.1922, § 4130;   C.S.1929, § 16-659;   R.S.1943, § 16-688;   Laws 1951, c. 26, § 5, p. 120;   Laws 1953, c. 287, § 10, p. 934;   Laws 1979, LB 187, § 41;   Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 46;  Laws 2016, LB704, § 147.
NE Code § 16-691.01 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 16 - Cities of the First Class|16-691.01 - Board of public works; surplus funds; investment; securities; purchase; sale.

16-691.01.  Board of public works; surplus funds; investment; securities; purchase; sale.Any surplus funds remaining in the hands of the city treasurer of a city of the first class, to the credit of such various funds, may be invested by the board of public works, with the approval of the mayor and city council, in accordance with the provisions of sections 16-712, 16-713, and 16-715, in interest-bearing securities of the State of Nebraska or any political subdivision thereof, in certificates of deposit of banks which are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or in interest-bearing securities of the United States upon an order for that purpose drawn by the board of public works upon the city treasurer. Such securities may be purchased, sold, or hypothecated by the board of public works with the approval of the mayor and city council, at their fair market value, and the interest earned by such securities shall be credited to the account of the utility from which the funds paid for the securities were originally drawn. In cities which have not conferred upon any board of public works the active direction and supervision of the city's system of waterworks, power plant, sewerage, and heating or lighting plant, the powers and duties conferred upon the board of public works as to the purchase, sale, and hypothecation of such securities shall be exercised by the city treasurer. Securities so purchased shall be held by the city treasurer who shall provide adequate bond for their safekeeping. When sold, the treasurer shall deliver such securities to the purchaser and collect the sale price.Source   Laws 1947, c. 26, § 5, p. 130;   Laws 1949, c. 29, § 1(2), p. 112;   Laws 1969, c. 84, § 2, p. 424;   Laws 1972, LB 1213, § 2;  Laws 2016, LB704, § 149;  Laws 2019, LB194, § 70.
NE Code § 16-691.02 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 16 - Cities of the First Class|16-691.02 - Board of public works; surplus funds; disposition; transfer.

16-691.02.  Board of public works; surplus funds; disposition; transfer.The mayor and city council of any city of the first class may, by resolution, direct and authorize the city treasurer to dispose of the surplus electric light, water, or natural gas distribution system funds, or the funds arising from the sale of electric light and water properties, by the payment of outstanding electric light, water, or natural gas distribution system warrants or bonds then due and by the payment of all current amounts required in any revenue bond ordinance in which any part of the earnings of the electric light or water utility or natural gas distribution system are pledged. The excess, if any, after such payments, may be transferred to the general fund of such city at the conclusion of the fiscal year.Source   Laws 1965, c. 60, § 1, p. 275;  Laws 2016, LB704, § 150.
NE Code § 16-692 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 16 - Cities of the First Class|16-692 - Water commissioner; city council member and mayor ineligible.

16-692.  Water commissioner; city council member and mayor ineligible.No member of the city council or the mayor of a city of the first class shall be eligible to the office of water commissioner during the term for which he or she shall be elected.Source   Laws 1901, c. 18, § 64, p. 278;   R.S.1913, § 4964;   C.S.1922, § 4133;   C.S.1929, § 16-662;   R.S.1943, § 16-692;  Laws 2016, LB704, § 151;  Laws 2019, LB194, § 71.
NE Code § 16-693 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 16 - Cities of the First Class|16-693 - Bonds; tax authorized; how used.

16-693.  Bonds; tax authorized; how used.When any bonds shall have been issued by a city of the first class for the purpose of constructing or aiding in the construction of a system of waterworks, power plant, sewerage, heating, lighting, or drainage, there shall thereafter be levied annually upon all taxable property of such city a tax not exceeding seven cents on each one hundred dollars for every twenty thousand dollars of bonds so issued, which shall be known as the waterworks tax, power tax, sewerage tax, heat tax, light tax, or drainage tax, as the case may be, and shall be payable only in money. The proceeds of such tax, together with all income received by the city from the payment and collection of water, power, heat, or light, rent, taxes, and rates of assessments, shall first be applied to the payment of the current expenses of waterworks, power plant, heating, or lighting, to improvements, extensions, and additions thereto, and interest on money borrowed and bonds issued for their construction. The surplus, if any, shall be retained for a sinking fund for the payment of such loan or bonds at maturity.Source   Laws 1901, c. 18, § 65, p. 278;   Laws 1913, c. 35, § 4, p. 115;   R.S.1913, § 4965;   Laws 1917, c. 95, § 1, p. 257;   C.S.1922, § 4134;   C.S.1929, § 16-663;   R.S.1943, § 16-693;   Laws 1965, c. 60, § 2, p. 275;   Laws 1979, LB 187, § 42;  Laws 2016, LB704, § 152;  Laws 2019, LB194, § 72.
NE Code § 16-694 (2021)
2021 Nebraska Revised Statutes|Chapter 16 - Cities of the First Class|16-694 - Sewers; maintenance and repairs; annual tax; service rate in lieu of tax; lien.

16-694.  Sewers; maintenance and repairs; annual tax; service rate in lieu of tax; lien.After the establishment of a system of sewerage in any city of the first class, the mayor and city council may, at the time of levying other taxes for city purposes, levy an annual tax of not more than three and five-tenths cents on each one hundred dollars upon the taxable value of all the taxable property in such city for the purpose of creating a fund to be used exclusively for the maintenance and repairing of any sewers in such city. In lieu of the levy of a tax, the mayor and city council may establish, by ordinance, such rates for such sewer service as may be deemed by them to be fair and reasonable, to be collected from either the owner or the person, firm, or corporation requesting the service at such times, either monthly, quarterly, or otherwise, as may be specified in the ordinance. All such sewer charges shall be a lien upon the premises or real estate for which the sewer service is used or supplied. Such lien shall be enforced in such manner as the city council provides by ordinance. The charges thus made, when collected, shall be placed in a separate fund and used exclusively for the purpose of maintenance and repairs of any sewers in such city.Source   Laws 1925, c. 46, § 1, p. 186;   C.S.1929, § 16-664;   Laws 1943, c. 33, § 1, p. 151;   R.S.1943, § 16-694;   Laws 1947, c. 51, § 1, p. 172;   Laws 1951, c. 27, § 1, p. 122;   Laws 1953, c. 287, § 11, p. 935;   Laws 1979, LB 187, § 43;   Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 47;  Laws 2016, LB704, § 153.