reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
FL Stat § 153.16 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XI - County Organization and Intergovernmental Relations|Chapter 153 - Water and Sewer Systems|Part I - County Water System and Sanitary Sewer Financing (Ss. 153.01-153.20)|153.16 - Water revenue refunding bonds.

153.16 Water revenue refunding bonds.—The county commission is hereby authorized to provide by resolution for the issuance of water revenue refunding bonds of the county for the purpose of refunding any water revenue bonds then outstanding and issued under the provisions of this chapter. The county commission is further authorized to provide by resolution for the issuance of water revenue bonds of the county for combined purposes:(1) Paying the cost of any extension, addition or reconstruction of a water supply system or systems or water system improvements or the cost of a new water supply system or systems or water system improvements; and(2) Refunding such water revenue bonds of the county which shall theretofore have been issued under the provisions of this chapter and shall then be outstanding and which then shall have matured or be subject to redemption or can be acquired for retirement. The issuance of such bonds, the maturities and other details thereof, the rights and remedies of holders thereof, and the rights, powers, privileges, duties and obligations of the county or of the county commission with respect to the same shall be governed by the foregoing provisions of this chapter insofar as the same may be applicable.History.—s. 16, ch. 29837, 1955.
FL Stat § 153.17 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XI - County Organization and Intergovernmental Relations|Chapter 153 - Water and Sewer Systems|Part I - County Water System and Sanitary Sewer Financing (Ss. 153.01-153.20)|153.17 - Sewer revenue refunding bonds.

153.17 Sewer revenue refunding bonds.—The county commission is hereby authorized to provide by resolution for the issuance of sewer revenue refunding bonds of the county for the purpose of refunding any sewer revenue bonds then outstanding and issued under the provisions of this chapter. The county commission is further authorized to provide by resolution for the issuance of sewer revenue bonds of the county for the combined purposes of:(1) Paying the cost of any extension, addition or reconstruction of a sewage disposal system or systems or sewer improvements or the cost of a new sewage disposal system or systems or sewer improvements; and(2) Refunding such sewer revenue bonds of the county which shall theretofore have been issued under the provisions of this chapter and shall then be outstanding and which then shall have matured or be subject to redemption or can be acquired for retirement. The issuance of such bonds, the maturities and other details thereof, the rights and remedies of holders thereof, and the rights, powers, privileges, duties and obligations of the county or of the county commission with respect to the same shall be governed by the foregoing provisions of this chapter insofar as the same may be applicable.History.—s. 17, ch. 29837, 1955.
FL Stat § 153.18 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XI - County Organization and Intergovernmental Relations|Chapter 153 - Water and Sewer Systems|Part I - County Water System and Sanitary Sewer Financing (Ss. 153.01-153.20)|153.18 - Exemption of property from taxation.

153.18 Exemption of property from taxation.—As proper facilities for the furnishing of water for human consumption and fire protection and proper facilities for the treatment, purification and disposal of sewage are essential for the health of the inhabitants of the county and for its industrial and commercial development, and as the exercise of the powers conferred by this chapter to effect such purposes constitutes the performance of essential county functions, and is hereby declared to be a county purpose, and as the facilities constructed under the provisions of this chapter, constitute public property and are used for county purposes, the county shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments upon any such facilities or any part thereof.History.—s. 18, ch. 29837, 1955.
FL Stat § 153.19 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XI - County Organization and Intergovernmental Relations|Chapter 153 - Water and Sewer Systems|Part I - County Water System and Sanitary Sewer Financing (Ss. 153.01-153.20)|153.19 - Private water supplies.

153.19 Private water supplies.—No jurisdiction hereunder shall be exercised by the board of county commissioners over any privately owned industrial water supply system or the disposition of industrial or manufacturing wastes nor shall any rule or regulation be adopted or suit instituted or prosecuted hereunder designed or intended to control or regulate the same, unless one of the following conditions exists:(1) That prior to the utilization of any waters for the disposition of industrial or manufacturing waste, such waters were being used as a source of, or as a part of a water supply system under this chapter, or(2) In the case of an industrial or manufacturing plant that is connected with and using any facility authorized by this chapter; but any such rule, regulation or suit shall be limited to the particular waters or the particular industrial or manufacturing plant affected by one of the above conditions; provided, however, this shall not restrain or prevent the Department of Health in anywise from instituting a suit or taking other action in event said plant or manufacturing company shall pollute the waters in the state as defined in 1s. 387.08.History.—s. 19, ch. 29837, 1955; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 28, ch. 77-147; s. 15, ch. 97-101.1Note.—Repealed by s. 125, ch. 97-237.
FL Stat § 153.20 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XI - County Organization and Intergovernmental Relations|Chapter 153 - Water and Sewer Systems|Part I - County Water System and Sanitary Sewer Financing (Ss. 153.01-153.20)|153.20 - Alternative method.

153.20 Alternative method.—(1) This chapter shall be deemed to provide an additional and alternative method for the doing of the things authorized hereby and shall be regarded as supplemental and additional to the powers conferred upon the commission by other laws, and shall not be regarded as in derogation of any powers now existing. This chapter being necessary for the welfare of the inhabitants of the several counties of the state shall be liberally construed to effect the purposes thereof.(2) This chapter shall not repeal any local or special act or law conferring upon any of the several counties or county commissions the powers and duties or any of them imposed hereby, but it shall be deemed to be an alternative or additional method for such counties or county commissions to effect the purposes of this chapter.History.—ss. 20, 22, ch. 29837, 1955.
FL Stat § 153.50 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XI - County Organization and Intergovernmental Relations|Chapter 153 - Water and Sewer Systems|Part II - County Water and Sewer Districts (Ss. 153.50-153.88)|153.50 - Short title.

153.50 Short title.—This law may be known and cited as the “County Water and Sewer District Law.”History.—s. 1, ch. 59-466.
FL Stat § 153.51 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XI - County Organization and Intergovernmental Relations|Chapter 153 - Water and Sewer Systems|Part II - County Water and Sewer Districts (Ss. 153.50-153.88)|153.51 - Legislative intent.

153.51 Legislative intent.—It is declared as a matter of legislative determination that the extensive growth of population and attendant industry and commerce throughout the state has given rise to public health and water supply problems of statewide concern, in that many unincorporated areas of the counties of the state are not served by water and sewer facilities normally and generally provided and maintained by the municipalities of the state or their agencies or instrumentalities or by private corporations or persons and are not otherwise adequately provided for; that many of such unincorporated areas are in extreme need of such sewage disposal and water supply facilities, and that it is the intent and purpose of this law to provide means for the counties of the state to alleviate such conditions in such unincorporated areas.History.—s. 2, ch. 59-466.
FL Stat § 153.54 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XI - County Organization and Intergovernmental Relations|Chapter 153 - Water and Sewer Systems|Part II - County Water and Sewer Districts (Ss. 153.50-153.88)|153.54 - Preliminary report by county commissioners with respect to creation of proposed district.

153.54 Preliminary report by county commissioners with respect to creation of proposed district.—Upon receipt of a petition duly signed by not less than 25 qualified electors who are also freeholders residing within an area proposed to be incorporated into a water and sewer district pursuant to this law and describing in general terms the proposed boundaries of such proposed district, the board of county commissioners if it shall deem it necessary and advisable to create and establish such proposed district for the purpose of constructing, establishing or acquiring a water system or a sewer system or both in and for such district (herein called “improvements”), shall first cause a preliminary report to be made which such report together with any other relevant or pertinent matters, shall include at least the following:(1) A general description of the proposed improvements to be made in such district.(2) A general estimate of the cost of the proposed improvements.(3) The present condition of water and sewer facilities in the area comprising such proposed district.(4) Findings with respect to the necessity or reasonableness of the inclusion of lands proposed to be included within the district with reference to the benefits to be derived or able to be derived by such included lands from such proposed improvements, and the necessity or reasonableness of the exclusion of lands adjacent to or within such proposed district with reference to such benefits.(5) For the construction of a new proposed central sewerage system or the extension of an existing sewerage system that was not previously approved, the report shall include a study that includes the available information from the Department of Environmental Protection on the history of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems currently in use in the area and a comparison of the projected costs to the owner of a typical lot or parcel of connecting to and using the proposed sewerage system versus installing, operating, and properly maintaining an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system that is approved by the Department of Environmental Protection and that provides for the comparable level of environmental and health protection as the proposed central sewerage system; consideration of the local authority’s obligations or reasonably anticipated obligations for water body cleanup and protection under state or federal programs, including requirements for water bodies listed under s. 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, Pub. L. No. 92-500, 33 U.S.C. ss. 1251 et seq.; and other factors deemed relevant by the local authority.Such report shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the circuit court and shall be open for the inspection of any taxpayer, property owner, qualified elector or any other interested or affected person.History.—s. 5, ch. 59-466; s. 1, ch. 2006-252; s. 26, ch. 2020-150.
FL Stat § 153.55 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XI - County Organization and Intergovernmental Relations|Chapter 153 - Water and Sewer Systems|Part II - County Water and Sewer Districts (Ss. 153.50-153.88)|153.55 - Public hearing upon report of county commissioners and creation of district; findings of board of county commissioners.

153.55 Public hearing upon report of county commissioners and creation of district; findings of board of county commissioners.—(1) Upon submission of any such report the board of county commissioners shall hold a public hearing upon such report and the question of the creation of such district, giving at least 20 days’ notice of such hearing by advertisement in a newspaper published in the county and circulating in the area of the proposed district or by posting as provided in s. 153.56 if no such newspaper be published.(2) At such hearing any taxpayer, property owner, qualified elector or other interested or affected person may make written objections to the creation of such proposed district or the exclusion of any lands therefrom, or the inclusion of any lands therein, the desirability or the feasibility of such proposed improvements or to any other matter, which objections, if any, together with any evidence submitted therewith shall be given full and open consideration by the board of county commissioners.(3) If upon due consideration of such preliminary report, any such objections and any other pertinent matters, such board of county commissioners shall be satisfied that the construction and acquisition of said improvements is feasible and desirable and of benefit to all the lands included in such proposed district or that certain lands shall be included or excluded, and that the creation of said district is necessary in the public interest, it shall so determine and record such findings and determination, together with an accurate description of the proposed boundaries of the proposed district and the proposed corporate name of such district, by resolution duly adopted.(4) If the board of county commissioners shall after such hearing deem the creation of such proposed district inadvisable and not in the public interest, it shall make such a finding and determination and no further proceedings shall be taken for the creation of the proposed district under such petition; provided, however, that such finding and determination shall not be deemed to bar the creation of any proposed district at any future time in the manner provided in this law upon the filing of a new petition therefor as provided in this law.History.—s. 6, ch. 59-466.
FL Stat § 153.57 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XI - County Organization and Intergovernmental Relations|Chapter 153 - Water and Sewer Systems|Part II - County Water and Sewer Districts (Ss. 153.50-153.88)|153.57 - Ballots and election officials.

153.57 Ballots and election officials.—The inspectors and clerks for said election or elections shall be appointed by and the ballots to be voted shall be prepared and furnished by the board of county commissioners, which shall designate the polling place or places at which such election or elections shall be held. The inspectors and clerks shall make returns to the board of county commissioners.History.—s. 8, ch. 59-466.
FL Stat § 153.59 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XI - County Organization and Intergovernmental Relations|Chapter 153 - Water and Sewer Systems|Part II - County Water and Sewer Districts (Ss. 153.50-153.88)|153.59 - Court proceedings; jurisdiction, priority.

153.59 Court proceedings; jurisdiction, priority.—The circuit court in and for any county so establishing a district is vested with jurisdiction in any such proceedings or suits affecting the creation of such districts and all matters pertinent thereto and shall give preference and priority to any such actions or proceedings pending in such court subject to existing statutes.History.—s. 10, ch. 59-466.
FL Stat § 153.60 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XI - County Organization and Intergovernmental Relations|Chapter 153 - Water and Sewer Systems|Part II - County Water and Sewer Districts (Ss. 153.50-153.88)|153.60 - County commissioners ex officio governing board.

153.60 County commissioners ex officio governing board.—The board of county commissioners of the county in which any such district is created shall be the ex officio governing board of such district. Such district shall be a body corporate and politic, exercising essential governmental functions and shall have the power to sue and be sued; to contract; to adopt and use a common seal and alter the same at pleasure; to purchase, hold, lease or otherwise acquire and convey such real property and personal property and interests therein as may be necessary or proper to carry out the purposes of this law. The clerk of the circuit court shall be ex officio the clerk and treasurer of the district, and the county tax collector shall be ex officio the tax collector of the district.History.—s. 11, ch. 59-466.
FL Stat § 153.61 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XI - County Organization and Intergovernmental Relations|Chapter 153 - Water and Sewer Systems|Part II - County Water and Sewer Districts (Ss. 153.50-153.88)|153.61 - Expenses.

153.61 Expenses.—The preliminary expenses for the creation and incorporation of any such district, including election expenses, expenses for legal, financial or other services in connection with the preliminary report undertaken pursuant to s. 153.54, shall be payable out of general county funds, but shall be a reimbursable expense to be paid from the proceeds of any bonds or other obligations issued by said district to accomplish the purposes of this law.History.—s. 12, ch. 59-466.
FL Stat § 153.65 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XI - County Organization and Intergovernmental Relations|Chapter 153 - Water and Sewer Systems|Part II - County Water and Sewer Districts (Ss. 153.50-153.88)|153.65 - Trust funds; trustees.

153.65 Trust funds; trustees.—The proceeds of all bonds or other obligations issued under this law and all revenues derived from the operation of any water system or sewer system for the payment of all or part of the cost of which any bonds or other obligations authorized by this law have been issued shall be and constitute trust funds, and shall be used and applied only in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of any revenue bonds, general obligation bonds or other obligations issued pursuant to this law, and the district may appoint trustees, within or without the state, under trust agreements or indentures to hold and administer the proceeds of any such bonds or other obligations or any such revenues.History.—s. 16, ch. 59-466.
FL Stat § 153.67 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XI - County Organization and Intergovernmental Relations|Chapter 153 - Water and Sewer Systems|Part II - County Water and Sewer Districts (Ss. 153.50-153.88)|153.67 - Unpaid fees to constitute lien.

153.67 Unpaid fees to constitute lien.—In the event that the fees, rates or charges for the services and facilities of any water or sewer system shall not be paid as and when due, any unpaid balance thereof and all interest accruing thereon shall be a lien on any parcel or property affected thereby. Such liens shall be superior and paramount to the interest on such parcel or property of any owner, lessee, tenant, mortgagee or other person except the lien of county taxes and shall be on a parity with the lien of any such county taxes. In the event that any such service charge shall not be paid as and when due and shall be in default for thirty days or more the unpaid balance thereof and all interest accrued thereon, together with attorneys fees and costs, may be recovered by the district in a civil action, and any such lien and accrued interest may be foreclosed or otherwise enforced by the district by action or suit in equity as for the foreclosure of a mortgage on real property.History.—s. 18, ch. 59-466.
FL Stat § 153.68 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XI - County Organization and Intergovernmental Relations|Chapter 153 - Water and Sewer Systems|Part II - County Water and Sewer Districts (Ss. 153.50-153.88)|153.68 - General obligation bonds, election; issuance, tax levy.

153.68 General obligation bonds, election; issuance, tax levy.—(1) The district board is hereby authorized to provide by resolution from time to time for the issuance of general obligation bonds pledging the full faith and credit of the district for the payment thereof, for the purpose of paying all or part of the cost of the acquisition or construction or improvement of a water system or a sewer system or both, provided however, that the issuance of such bonds, or of any revenue bonds, assessment bonds or other obligations for which the full faith and credit of the district shall have been pledged as additional security shall have been approved at an election of the qualified electors who are freeholders residing in said district, such election to be called, noticed and conducted in the manner provided in the constitution and statutes of Florida for freeholder elections.(2) For the payment of the principal of and the interest on any general obligation bonds of the district issued under the provisions of this law, the district board is hereby authorized and required and in such resolution authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds shall authorize and require the levy annually of a special tax upon all taxable property within the district over and above all other taxes authorized or permitted by law sufficient to pay such principal and interest as the same shall become due and payable, and the proceeds of all such taxes, when collected, shall be paid into a special fund and used for no other purpose than the payment of such principal and interest, or reserves therefor; provided however, that there may be pledged as additional security for the payment of such principal and interest the proceeds of such rates, fees and charges made for the services and facilities of any such water system or sewer system or both, or the proceeds of special assessments levied to finance the cost of assessable improvements, or both, and in the event of such pledge or pledges the amount of the annual tax herein required may be reduced in any year subject to and in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such general obligation bonds.(3) In the event the full faith and credit of the district is pledged as additional security for the payment of any revenue bonds or assessment bonds issued hereunder, the district board shall in the manner set out above for general obligation bonds provide for and authorize the levy of a special tax annually on all taxable property in the district sufficient in amount to comply with the proceedings authorizing such revenue bonds or assessment bonds for which the full faith and credit of the district is pledged as additional security.History.—s. 19, ch. 59-466.
FL Stat § 153.69 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XI - County Organization and Intergovernmental Relations|Chapter 153 - Water and Sewer Systems|Part II - County Water and Sewer Districts (Ss. 153.50-153.88)|153.69 - County property appraiser ex officio tax assessor for district.

153.69 County property appraiser ex officio tax assessor for district.—The amount of any such annual taxes so levied for general obligation bonds or as additional security for revenue bonds or assessment bonds shall be certified by the district board to the property appraiser of the county who shall be ex officio tax assessor for the district, and such taxes shall be levied and collected in the same manner as other general county taxes.History.—s. 20, ch. 59-466; s. 1, ch. 77-102.
FL Stat § 153.70 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XI - County Organization and Intergovernmental Relations|Chapter 153 - Water and Sewer Systems|Part II - County Water and Sewer Districts (Ss. 153.50-153.88)|153.70 - Provisions of s. 153.63 applicable to general obligation bonds.

153.70 Provisions of s. 153.63 applicable to general obligation bonds.—Any general obligation bonds shall be authorized by resolution of the district board and the provisions of s. 153.63 relative to maturities, execution, rate or rates of interest, redemption prior to maturity, registration, method of sale, and all other matters in said s. 153.63 not inconsistent with the other provisions in this law relating to general obligation bonds, shall apply to any general obligation bonds issued hereunder.History.—s. 21, ch. 59-466.