reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1603 - Failure or neglect of officer to impress lien or collect taxes of district; remedy

48-1603.
Failure or neglect of officer to impress lien or collect taxes of district;  remedy
If the directors of a district,  a board of supervisors,  or officer of any board,  or a county assessor or tax officer of any county,  neglects or refuses to perform any official act necessary to create and impress a lien of taxes,  or to collect taxes,  as required by this chapter,  any person holding evidence of any matured and unpaid indebtedness of the district may compel the performance of such official act by mandamus. The application for the writ may join as defendants all directors,  boards and officers whose neglect,  failure or refusal is the cause of complaint. The court may make such order as will give the party complaining the relief which is appropriate.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1611 - General plan for proposed works; engineering services

48-1611.
General plan for proposed works;  engineering services
A. For the purpose of constructing,  purchasing or acquiring power plants,  power lines,  generators,  motors,  transformers,  poles,  wire and works,  and acquiring the necessary property and rights therefor,  for the purpose of paying the first year's interest on the bonds authorized by this chapter,  and otherwise carrying out the provisions of this chapter,  the board of directors of a district shall,  as soon as practicable after the district has been organized,  by a resolution entered on its records,  adopt a general plan of its proposed works.
B. The resolution shall state generally what works or property it is proposed to lease,  purchase or acquire,  what works it is proposed to construct,  the estimated cost for carrying out the plan and how it is proposed to raise the funds necessary therefor.
C. For the purpose of ascertaining the estimated cost or value of proposed works or rights,  the board shall cause surveys,  examinations,  maps,  plans,  specifications of costs and estimates to be made and shall acquire the necessary data for an estimate of the costs of carrying out the plan.
D. The board of directors shall employ a competent engineer under whose directions shall be made and certified to the board such examinations,  surveys,  maps,  plans,  specifications and estimates of cost deemed necessary for the purpose of entering into contracts with respect to the proposed plan of work,  construction or purchase.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1612 - Election to authorize issuance of bonds

48-1612.
Election to authorize issuance of bonds
A. Upon receiving the report from the engineer provided by section 48-1611,  the board of directors shall proceed to determine the amount of money necessary to be raised and the character and extent of contract obligations to be undertaken to carry into effect the adopted plans and purposes,  and shall forthwith call an election at which shall be submitted to the electors of the district possessing the qualifications prescribed by this chapter the question of whether or not bonds of the district shall be issued in the amount so determined. The election must be held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November as prescribed by section 16-204,  subsection B,  paragraph 1,  subdivision (d).
B. Notice of the election shall be given by posting notices in three public places in each election precinct in the district for at least twenty days,  and by publication in a newspaper published in the county where the office of the board of directors is maintained,  once a week for at least three consecutive weeks. The notice shall specify the time of holding the election,  the amount of bonds proposed to be issued and the maximum rate of interest to be borne on the bonds.
C. The election shall be conducted and the results thereof determined and declared in all respects as nearly as possible in conformity with article 3 of this chapter governing the election of directors. No informalities in conducting the election shall invalidate the election if it has been otherwise fairly conducted.
D. At the election the ballots shall contain the words " bonds   yes"  and " bonds   no" . If the majority of the votes cast is " bonds   yes, "  the board of directors shall cause a series of bonds in the amount authorized to be prepared. If the majority of the votes cast is " bonds   no, "  the result of the election shall be so declared and entered of record.
E. When the board thereafter deems it for the best interest of the district to issue bonds for district purposes and that the question of the issuance thereof be submitted to the electors,  the board shall adopt resolutions to that effect and record them in its minutes,  and the board may thereupon submit the question to the electors in the same manner and with like effect as at the previous election.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1613 - Issuance of series bonds; terms of payment; interest rate; denominations

48-1613.
Issuance of series bonds;  terms of payment;  interest rate;  denominations
A. The bonds of the district authorized to be issued at an election shall be designated as series bonds,  and the series shall be numbered consecutively as authorized. All bonds of each series when issued shall be negotiable and of like force and effect. The bonds shall be payable in money of the United States and shall be due as follows:
1. At the expiration of twenty-one years,  not less than five per cent of the whole amount and number of bonds.
2. At the expiration of twenty-two years,  not less than six per cent of the whole amount and number of bonds.
3. At the expiration of twenty-three years,  not less than seven per cent of the whole amount and number of bonds.
4. At the expiration of twenty-four years,  not less than eight per cent of the whole amount and number of bonds.
5. At the expiration of twenty-five years,  not less than nine per cent of the whole amount and number of bonds.
6. At the expiration of twenty-six years,  not less than ten per cent of the whole amount and number of bonds.
7. At the expiration of twenty-seven years,  not less than eleven per cent of the whole amount and number of bonds.
8. At the expiration of twenty-eight years,  not less than thirteen per cent of the whole amount and number of bonds.
9. At the expiration of twenty-nine years,  not less than fifteen per cent of the whole amount and number of bonds.
10. At the expiration of thirty years,  not less than a percentage sufficient to pay the remainder of the bonds.
B. Each bond shall be payable at the time specified for its entire amount and not a percentage thereof. The bonds shall bear interest payable semiannually,  at the rate or rates set by the accepted bid which shall not exceed the maximum rate of interest set forth in the notice of election. The principal and interest shall be payable at the office of the county treasurer of the county in which the organization of the district was perfected,  or at such other place as the board of directors designates in the bond.
C. The bonds shall each be in a denomination of not less than one hundred nor more than five hundred dollars,  shall be negotiable in form,  executed in the name of the district,  signed by the president and secretary and shall have the seal of the district affixed thereto. The bonds shall be numbered consecutively as issued,  and dated at the time of their issue. Coupons for the interest shall be attached to each bond bearing the facsimile signatures of the president and secretary. The bonds shall express on their face that they are issued by authority of this chapter.
D. The secretary shall keep a record of the bonds sold,  their number,  date of sale,  price received and the name of the purchaser.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1614 - Issuance of bonds maturing in less than thirty years

48-1614.
Issuance of bonds maturing in less than thirty years
Any district may,  by a majority vote of the electors of the district possessing the qualifications of electors as provided by this chapter,  authorize the issuance of bonds which will mature in any number of years less than thirty,  whereupon the bonds shall mature each successive year thereafter upon the same basis and percentage as is provided in this article for bonds commencing to mature on the twenty-first year. The district,  in such an instance,  may arrange for the payment of such bonds in series as provided by this article.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1615 - Issuance of additional bonds; priority of liens

48-1615.
Issuance of additional bonds;  priority of liens
A. When the money provided by the previous issue of bonds has become exhausted by expenditures authorized by this chapter and it is necessary to raise additional money for such purposes,  additional bonds may be issued by submitting the question to the qualified voters of the district and by complying with the procedures prescribed by this article in respect to an original issue of bonds,  but the lien for taxes for the payment of the interest and the principal of any bond of a prior issue shall be prior to the lien of any bond of a subsequent issue.
B. When the owner of land within the district for which title had not been obtained at the time of previous issues of bonds obtains a patent or title thereto,  the board of directors may levy an assessment upon the land for the owner's proportionate share of the taxes levied by the district to pay the bonded indebtedness of the district.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1616 - Action to determine validity of bonds

48-1616.
Action to determine validity of bonds
A. The board of directors,  or any elector,  taxpayer or real property owner within the district,  or any person otherwise having an interest therein,  may file an action in the superior court of the county in which the office of the district is located for the purpose of determining the regularity and legality of the proceedings authorizing the issuance of the bonds. The action may be filed although none of the bonds have been sold.
B. The action shall be entitled as follows: " In the matter of the application of (name the district) for a determination of the validity of bonds of said district (name the series and numbers of said bonds)" .
C. The application shall state all the proceedings taken in connection with the authorization for the issuance of the bonds,  and the record of the proceedings filed in the office of the board of directors shall be tendered with the application.
D. Unless the application is filed by the board of directors,  the application shall state the interest applicant has in the authorization and sale of the bonds.
E. After the application is filed,  the clerk of the superior court shall issue a summons as in civil actions,  except that the summons shall be directed to all persons who have or claim to have any interest in the bonds. The summons shall describe the series and numbers of the bonds,  but need not specifically name any defendant or defendants unless the bonds have been sold in which event the purchaser shall be personally served or served by publication if a nonresident.
F. The summons shall be served in the same manner as in civil actions. If the board of directors is not the party filing the application,  the summons shall be personally served upon at least one member of the board in the same manner as a summons is served in civil actions.
G. Proof of service of the summons shall be made in the same manner as in civil actions.
H. The issues shall be framed by a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. The motion to dismiss shall be filed within thirty days after the date of the last publication of the summons unless the time is extended by order of the court. Any person interested may without pleading intervene and be heard upon the issues. Any persons interested may join in the motion to dismiss.
I. Upon filing of the motion the court shall hear and determine the issues at one hearing upon the law and facts,  and after hearing shall enter such judgment as it determines upon the issues. The judgment shall be in writing and shall have the same effect as other judgments of the court. The costs of the proceeding shall not be taxed against any party thereto.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1617 - Sale of bonds; notice

48-1617.
Sale of bonds;  notice
A. The board may sell the bonds from time to time in such quantities as are necessary and most advantageous to raise money for the construction,  purchase or lease of power plants,  power lines,  generators,  motors,  transformers,  poles,  wires and works,  and otherwise to carry out the purposes of this chapter. Before making any sale,  the board shall by resolution declare its intention to sell a specified amount of the bonds,  shall fix the day,  hour and place of sale,  and shall cause such resolution to be entered in the minutes of the board.
B. Notice of the sale shall be given by publication thereof at least twenty days in a daily newspaper published in the state or such other newspaper as the board directs. The notice shall state that sealed bids will be received by the board at its office for the purchase of bonds until the day and hour named in the resolution.
C. At the time appointed,  the board shall open the bids and award the sale of the bonds to the highest responsible bidder. The board may reject all bids,  but the board shall in no event sell any of the bonds for less than ninety per cent of the face value thereof. If no bid is made and accepted,  the board is authorized to sell any or all of the bonds at private sale,  or to use the bonds for the purchase or lease of power lines,  power plants,  generating or distributing systems,  for the construction of any power plants,  power lines,  generating or distributing systems,  the purchase or construction of which was authorized in the resolution entered in the records of the district setting forth the purposes for which the bonds were issued,  but the bonds shall not be disposed of at less than ninety per cent of the face value thereof.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1618 - Payment of bonds; release of lands from bond debt; exception

48-1618.
Payment of bonds;  release of lands from bond debt;  exception
A. The bonds and interest thereon shall be paid by revenue derived from an annual assessment and levy of taxes upon the real property of the district,  and the real property of the district shall be liable to taxation for such payments.
B. Any parcel or parcels of land which have paid the proportionate share of the bonds before maturity based upon the acreage such parcel or parcels of land bear to the total bonded acreage of the district,  together with interest thereon to and including the next following interest-paying day,  shall be released and discharged from further levy of taxes for payment of the principal and interest of the bonds then outstanding,  except as provided in subsection C of this section.
C. Such parcel or parcels of land shall be liable for assessment and levy of taxes for all other obligations of the district,  and in case of default at maturity of any of the bonds,  the lands shall be liable for that proportion of the defaulted bonded indebtedness which the acreage of such parcel or parcels of land bear to the total bonded indebtedness of the district.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1619 - District bonds as legal investment for certain funds

48-1619.
District bonds as legal investment for certain funds
Bonds issued in compliance with this article shall be legal investments for all trust funds,  funds of insurance companies,  banks,  banking institutions and trust companies,  and for state and school funds. When any money or fund may by law be invested in bonds of cities,  counties,  school districts or municipalities of the state,  the money or funds may be invested in bonds of power districts.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1701 - Powers and duties of district

48-1701.
Powers and duties of district
A. Districts created under this chapter shall be bodies corporate for the purposes specified in this chapter and such as reasonably may be implied.
B. A district shall have perpetual succession and may:
1. Exercise the power of eminent domain under the constitution and general laws of the state relating to such proceedings.
2. Make contracts.
3. Sue and be sued in its corporate name.
4. Acquire and hold real and personal property which is needed or useful in the conduct of its business.
5. Adopt a seal.
6. Do all things reasonably useful and lawful in carrying out the purposes expressed or implied by this chapter.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1702 - Petition for organization

48-1702.
Petition for organization
A. Petition for the formation of an electrical district for the purpose of providing power for use primarily for pumping water for irrigation shall be filed with the board of supervisors of the county in which the proposed district is located,  or if parts of the proposed district are located in more than one county,  the petition shall be filed with the board of supervisors of the county in which is located the larger part of the lands of the proposed district.
B. The petition shall describe an area of land located in one or more counties,  and shall accurately define the exterior boundaries of the parcel or parcels,  or otherwise describe the lands to be included in the proposed district. The area of land to be organized need not be composed of contiguous tracts. The petition shall pray that the area of land described be organized into an electrical district under this chapter. The petition shall be signed by at least one third of the number of resident freeholders within the area proposed to be organized but no more than twenty-five subscribers to the petition shall be required in any event.
C. No district shall be organized which includes any territory of a district already organized or in the process of organization.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1704 - Notice of hearing on petition; publication; continuance of hearing

48-1704.
Notice of hearing on petition;  publication;  continuance of hearing
A. The board of supervisors with which the petition is filed,  at the next regular or special meeting thereafter or at a special meeting called sooner for that purpose,  shall fix a date for hearing the petition which shall be recorded in the minutes of the board. The place of hearing shall be at the office of the board of supervisors unless the board determines for convenience of the parties to hold the hearing elsewhere in the county.
B. Notice of the hearing shall be ordered by the board of supervisors and signed by the chairman and shall be addressed to all owners of lands or interests in lands,  and to all persons interested in or in any manner affected by organization of the proposed district. The notice shall state the time and place of hearing. It shall only be necessary to state generally,  but clearly and fully,  the objects of the hearing.
C. The notice shall be published in at least one daily or weekly paper published in each county in which any part of the proposed district is located once a week for four consecutive weeks,  and shall be posted in one public place in each township or part of township of each range or part of range,  according to government survey,  included in the proposed district. In addition,  not less than three notices shall be posted in different public places in every county in which any part of the proposed district is located. The board of supervisors shall appoint a suitable person or persons to post the notices and cause newspaper publication of the notice as provided by this section. Proof of posting shall be by affidavit of the person or persons posting the notices and proof of publication shall be by affidavit of the publisher. Proof of posting and publication shall be filed with the board at or before the hearing.
D. The hearing shall be held not less than ten days after publication is completed,  and not less than thirty-one days after the date of posting notice.
E. The board of supervisors before whom the hearing is held may for good and sufficient reason adjourn the hearing from time to time,  but notice of adjournment need not be given,  except that the day and hour to which adjournment is ordered shall be spread on the minutes or set forth in the resolution of the board.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1705 - Determination whether district constitutes public use; call for organizational election

48-1705.
Determination whether district constitutes public use;  call for organizational election
A. At the hearing on the petition called by the board of supervisors,  it shall first proceed to determine whether the operations as proposed will constitute a public use. The board shall for such purpose determine:
1. Whether the lands in the proposed district are arid lands.
2. Whether they are fertile and reclaimable.
3. Whether there is a supply of water which can be made efficiently available by the proposed power system.
4. Whether the development reasonably certain to result from the production of power is of such interest and benefit to the whole district as to impress it with a public use.
B. It shall not be necessary to determine that an underground volume of water is unquestionably sufficient to irrigate all the lands in the proposed district. It is sufficient if the volume of water is enough to supply the area of the land within the proposed district as will make the results of the production of power a public use and benefit to the whole district,  and reasonably certain to enable the system when in full operation to be self-supporting.
C. In determining the question of the public use in the operations of the proposed district the board shall make its findings by considering all circumstances,  facts and reasons bearing upon the question of the public character of the operations of the proposed district. If there are any questions arising from matters of common knowledge which are of such probative weight as to make a prima facie case,  it shall not be necessary for the board to take evidence upon such question,  and the board may take judicial knowledge thereof,  but the board shall hear and consider all competent testimony or evidence offered with reference to the question.
D. For the purpose of determining the public use of the operations of the proposed district,  the board of supervisors is vested with discretionary power and its decision shall be binding upon all persons interested unless reversed on appeal as provided by this chapter. If the decision is modified or affirmed,  it shall be binding as modified or affirmed.
E. If the board of supervisors determines from the petition and proceedings held thereon that the operations of the proposed district will constitute a public use,  the board shall call an organizational election for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors of the district the question whether the lands described in the petition shall be organized into an electrical district.
F. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as declaring what is or what is not a public use,  or as limiting the evidence or the scope of the investigation of the board of supervisors.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1706 - Application for inclusion of additional lands prior to organization of district; condition precedent to application

48-1706.
Application for inclusion of additional lands prior to organization of district;  condition precedent to application
A. All persons who have not been included in the proposed district may appear before the board of supervisors as parties interested in and affected by the organization of the district and may request that their lands be included. If the land thus sought to be included in the district is patented or fee lands and the owners so petition,  the lands thus proposed shall be included by the board if it can be done without materially increasing the cost of service. The board shall take into account the shape of the proposed parcel or parcels,  whether service can equitably be rendered to users in the territory and all other circumstances having a bearing on the right of including such lands.
B. No application for inclusion shall be considered unless the lands are all patented or held in fee,  and all the owners join in the application,  but with reference to parcels when less than all owners join in the application,  the applications shall be made under the provisions of this chapter relating to inclusion of lands after the organization has been completed as requested in the original petition.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1707 - Objections to inclusion in proposed district

48-1707.
Objections to inclusion in proposed district
A. If the board decides to call an election,  it shall proceed to hear all objections which have been made by owners or others interested therein to the inclusion of lands in the proposed district.
B. Owners of lands proposed to be included in the district or any person interested therein,  if they desire to be excluded therefrom or to be relieved in whole or in part from bearing the burdens of the district,  shall file with the board of supervisors written statements of their objections,  stating in an informal manner but giving full particulars of their reasons for requesting to be excluded or to be relieved from the burdens of the district. The objectors shall not be excluded unless it is shown that they will not be benefited by the operations of the district. The burden of proof shall be on the objectors to prove their rights as claimed in their statements of objections.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1708 - Order of board defining boundaries of district; name of district; appointment of election commissioners

48-1708.
Order of board defining boundaries of district;  name of district;  appointment of election commissioners
A. When notice of the election has been given and the hearing held and concluded,  the board of supervisors shall make its decision and findings and enter them in the minutes of the meeting.
B. The board shall define the boundaries of the district as established in their findings,  shall state clearly any modifications of the liability of land owners for the burdens of the district and shall determine and enter in its minutes the name of the district which shall be " Electrical district number ____________ of the county of ______________,  state of Arizona."
C. The board shall thereupon appoint three freeholders who are residents of the proposed district as a board of election commissioners which shall proceed to call and conduct the organization election.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1709 - Appeal from order of board

48-1709.
Appeal from order of board
A. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the board of supervisors may appeal from the decision or any part thereof to the superior court in the county in which the hearing was held. All persons interested in or in any way affected by the decision of the board of supervisors whether or not the party has appeared before the board at the hearing may appeal from the board decision.
B. The appeal shall be taken and perfected by service of notice thereof as provided by section 48-1710 within fifteen days from the day of the decision and not thereafter.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1710 - Service of notice of appeal; record on appeal

48-1710.
Service of notice of appeal;  record on appeal
A. If an appeal is taken as provided by section 48-1709 by petitioners or interested freeholders from a refusal of the board of supervisors to call an organization election,  the notice shall be signed by three petitioners or interested freeholders and served on the chairman of the board of supervisors. If the appeal is taken from the exclusion of lands from the district,  the notice shall be signed by one or more petitioners or one or more interested property taxpayers resident of the district or taxpayers of the district,  and shall be served on the chairman of the board of supervisors and upon all the owners of land and those interested in lands the exclusion of which is contested by the appeal. If the appeal is taken from the inclusion of lands within the district,  the appeal shall be signed by all the objectors and shall be served on the chairman of the board of supervisors and upon any five of the petitioners.
B. The party appealing shall pay in advance the cost thereof and make a written request to the clerk of the board of supervisors hearing the matter to transmit to the clerk of the superior court all papers filed in the controversy with the board of supervisors and a transcript of all the records of the board pertaining thereto,  including all minutes and resolutions of the board. Upon request and payment of fees therefor,  the clerk of the board shall transmit and file such records with the clerk of the court within five days. If the request is not made or if made and the fees therefor are not paid within fifteen days,  the appeal shall be waived.
C. Oral notice of appeal may be given at the time of the decision appealed from,  which shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting of the board of supervisors,  but the request for certification of the record and payment of the fees in advance shall be made within fifteen days after the decision or the appeal is deemed waived.
D. Service of notice of appeal shall be made as service of summons is made in civil actions.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1711 - Trial of appeal; bond; effect upon organization proceedings

48-1711.
Trial of appeal;  bond;  effect upon organization proceedings
A. The appeal shall be heard de novo by the superior court. An appeal may be taken to the supreme court from the judgment of the superior court as provided by law and rules of the supreme court.
B. The appeal shall be tried within thirty days after the decision of the board of supervisors,  by the superior court,  but the court may for good cause continue the trial for not more than sixty days. No continuance shall be granted unless appellant gives a good and sufficient bond conditioned to pay the cost of appeal if the decision of the board of supervisors is not reversed. The bond shall be in an amount and form prescribed by the court.
C. No appeal from inclusion of lands within the district shall prohibit or delay the district in calling the organization election or prohibit the district and its officers from proceeding to carry out all the objects of the organization of the district except when the appeal from inclusion of lands affects more than one third of the area or acreage of the proposed district.
D. During pendency of an appeal,  all owners of lands affected by the appeal may vote under the same conditions as if their lands were included in the district and without prejudice to their rights on appeal.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1712 - Nomination of candidates to board of directors; notice of election

48-1712.
Nomination of candidates to board of directors;  notice of election
A. The board of election commissioners shall nominate nine persons,  all of whom shall be resident freeholders of the district and qualified voters,  as candidates for election as members of the board of directors of the district,  if the district is approved at the organization election.
B. The board of election commissioners shall then call an election and give not less than ten nor more than fifteen days notice thereof by posting a notice in one public place in each township or part of township of each range or part of range in the proposed district. In addition,  not less than three notices shall be posted in different public places in each county in which any part of the district is located.
C. The notice of election shall contain the names of candidates for directors,  the day of the election,  the hours during which the polls will be open,  which shall be for not less than eight hours,  and the place or places of voting. If more than one place of voting is provided,  the election commissioners shall divide the proposed district into precincts and the notice of election shall define the precincts in a manner indicating to all electors their respective voting places. The notice shall contain a statement that,  at the election,  it will be decided by the electors whether a certain territory,  giving the boundaries thereof or otherwise describing it,  shall be organized as an electrical district under this chapter.
D. Any five resident freeholders who are qualified electors may nominate two other candidates for election as board members by serving a written demand to that effect on the board of election commissioners at least five days before the election,  and the names of such candidates shall appear on the ballot following those nominated by the commissioners.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1713 - Qualifications of electors; acreage voting; definition

48-1713.
Qualifications of electors;  acreage voting;  definition
A. Persons qualified to vote at an election held under this chapter,  except as otherwise specially provided,  shall be either:
1. The property taxpayers of the district who own real property in the district that is or may be beneficially served by the district and who possess the qualifications required of electors under the general election laws,  except as to residency.
2. Representatives of property taxpayers of the district who own real property in the district that is or may be beneficially served by the district,  who possess the qualifications prescribed by section 48-3043,  subsections B,  C and D.
B. The bona fide owners of real property in the district that is or may be beneficially served by the district may petition the board of directors to adopt an acreage system of voting in the district. The petition must be dated and signed personally by the petitioners,  representing the acreage in the district that each petitioner owns,  and filed with the secretary of the board of directors. If the board determines that the petitioners own at least fifty-one per cent of the total acreage in the district that is or may be beneficially served by the district,  the board may adopt a resolution changing the manner of voting in the district to an acreage system of voting. Thereafter,  all district elections shall be held and conducted on the acreage system. Under an acreage system of voting:
1. Each bona fide owner of one or more acres of real property in the district that is or may be beneficially served by the district is an elector of the district and entitled to one vote for each acre of such land,  but not more than one thousand two hundred eighty votes.
2. The board of directors may determine by resolution that each qualified elector of the district is entitled to the number of votes or fractional votes equal to the number of acres or fractional acres,  rounded to the next one-tenth acre,  owned by that owner,  but not more than one thousand two hundred eighty votes.
3. If title to real property is held by more than one owner,  each owner may vote the proportional fractional share according to the ownership interest in the property.
4. The district shall conduct elections substantially in the manner prescribed by chapter 19,  article 5 of this title.
C. For the purposes of this section,  " ownership"  includes:
1. Title to the property that is recorded at least ninety days before the election.
2. Bona fide contracts of purchase that are recorded at least ninety days before the date of the election and that give the purchaser possession of the property and responsibility for paying taxes and assessments on the property.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1714 - Form of ballots

48-1714.
Form of ballots
A. The official ballot to be used at the organization election shall,  as far as practicable,  correspond to the official ballots as provided by the general election laws but shall in addition contain the matters set forth in subsection B of this section.
B. The question of organization,  stated in plain,  understandable language,  shall appear first on the ballot. Immediately following,  or at one side,  shall appear the word " yes"  with a square at the immediate right thereof,  and the word " no"  with a square at the immediate right thereof,  in which the elector may make the mark X indicating his vote on the question. Immediately below shall appear the admonition " vote for seven directors, "  following which shall appear all the nominated candidates in the manner provided by the general election laws.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1715 - Returns; canvass by election commissioners

48-1715.
Returns;  canvass by election commissioners
A. The board of election commissioners shall appoint members of the election board and shall provide the board with official ballots and supplies,  but the election shall be conducted substantially in compliance with the general election laws,  and no departure from the proceedings required by this chapter shall affect the validity of the result unless it is shown that the intent of the electors was not fairly expressed. If an election is set aside,  the board of election commissioners shall call and conduct another election.
B. The election board shall count the votes and make returns to the board of election commissioners who shall on the fifth day after the election meet at the voting place most centrally located in the district,  and at two o'clock in the afternoon shall canvass the returns and report the result within five days to the board of supervisors with whom the petition for organization of the district was filed.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1716 - Examination of returns by board of supervisors; resolution of organization; recording

48-1716.
Examination of returns by board of supervisors;  resolution of organization;  recording
At its first regular meeting or at a special meeting thereafter,  the board of supervisors shall examine the returns of the board of election commissioners,  and if the board of supervisors finds that a majority of the votes cast at the election was in favor of organizing the district,  it shall make and spread such finding upon its minutes and by resolution declare the district duly organized. By a separate resolution the board of supervisors shall define the boundaries of the district,  and the clerk of the board shall immediately file a certified copy of the resolution in the office of the county recorder. When such certificate is recorded,  the district and its officers shall at once proceed with the business of the district,  and carry out the purposes for which it was created.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1717 - Terms of initially elected directors

48-1717.
Terms of initially elected directors
The board of directors of the district shall consist of seven members who shall be elected at the organizational election. The board of election commissioners shall by lot determine the terms each initially elected director shall serve in such manner that their terms are distributed over three years as equally as possible.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1719 - Consolidation of districts; election; adjustment of finances

48-1719.
Consolidation of districts;  election;  adjustment of finances
A. When two or more districts desire to consolidate,  the boards of directors of the districts shall call elections,  or at a general election,  submit the question of consolidation to their respective districts. If the vote is favorable to consolidation in each district proposed to be consolidated,  the consolidation shall be perfected as soon thereafter as practicable. In such case the boards of directors of the districts consolidated shall function as one board until the next annual election when there shall be elected a single board of directors with a number of members equal to the board consolidated which had the largest number of members.
B. If there is any reasonable adjustment of finances or equities involved in the consolidation the adjustment shall be agreed upon by the respective boards of directors and the substance of the agreement shall be stated in the notice of consolidation election.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1720 - Division of district; assignment of directors

48-1720.
Division of district;  assignment of directors
A. At any time the board of directors may divide a district into divisions not more in number than the number of members of the board,  and thereafter members of the board shall be elected from the different divisions according to the jurisdiction of the retiring members.
B. When a district is divided into separate divisions,  the board shall assign by lot,  or in some other equitable manner,  the members then in office to different divisions,  conforming as nearly as possible to the residence of the present members,  and thereafter members shall be elected according to the division from which a member's term has expired.
C. The division of the district into divisions shall be as equal as practical with respect to territory and population but in the division the board shall have exclusive discretion. A member to be qualified to hold the office of member of the board of directors shall thereafter be a qualified elector and freeholder of the division which he represents.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1721 - Inclusion of additional lands after organization

48-1721.
Inclusion of additional lands after organization
A. When a petition is presented to the board of directors of a district for the inclusion within such district of lands located outside the district,  the proceedings and hearing shall be in all respects the same as in the organization of districts,  except that the hearing shall be before the board of directors of the district to which application is made rather than before the board of supervisors of the county. Lands to be included need not be contiguous to the district but shall not be so far removed as to materially increase the cost of service rendered in the district.
B. The petition for inclusion of lands in a district duly organized shall be signed by at least one-third of the resident freeholders within the territory sought to be included and the proposed inclusion shall be in a reasonably compact body and regular form. Such area shall be included in the district,  if it can be done equitably,  but if an unreasonably large portion of the land is unassessable for any reason or is in such condition that rendering service in the area will be an unjust burden on the district as organized,  the petition may be denied. The board of directors hearing the petition may require of the area admitted equitable terms and conditions of admission.
C. Appeal shall be allowed from the board decision in the same manner as in the organization of districts.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1722 - Exclusion of lands or subdivision from district by petition; payment of expenses of publication of notice and of hearing

48-1722.
Exclusion of lands or subdivision from district by petition;  payment of expenses of publication of notice and of hearing
A. The owners of lands may file with the board of directors of a district a petition for the purpose of excluding from the district their lands which cannot be beneficially served by the district.
B. The petition shall describe the lands affected,  shall state the action desired thereon and the reasons therefor,  and shall be sworn to by the petitioners.
C. A petition may be filed with the board of directors of a district for the purpose of excluding a subdivision from the district. The petition shall state the name and legal description of the subdivision,  request exclusion of the subdivision from the district,  be signed by at least fifty per cent of the homeowners or lot owners other than the subdivider or developer of such subdivision and state:
1. The area to be excluded from the district has been subdivided into building lots.
2. At least three hundred individuals reside in the subdivision.
3. The lands within the subdivision have not been beneficially served by the district at any time within five years immediately preceding the date of the petition.
D. At the time of filing the petition there shall be paid to the treasurer of the district an amount sufficient to cover the estimated expenses of publishing notice and of the hearing.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1723 - Notice of hearing on petition for exclusion of lands; hearing

48-1723.
Notice of hearing on petition for exclusion of lands;  hearing
A. Upon the filing of the petition and payment of estimated expenses as provided by section 48-1722,  the secretary of the board shall cause notice to be given and published once each week for three successive weeks in a newspaper published in the county in which the office of the district is located,  giving notice of the filing of the petition,  the names of the petitioners,  a description of the lands,  the request of the petitioners and the time and place of hearing the petition,  and requiring any person objecting to allowance of the petition to file such objections in writing in the district office on or before the time fixed for hearing in the notice and appear at such time in support of the objections.
B. At the time and place designated in the notice,  or at such time or times to which the hearing is adjourned,  the board of directors shall proceed to hear the petitions and all objections filed thereto in writing by interested persons.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1724 - Entry and filing of order excluding lands or subdivision upon petition

48-1724.
Entry and filing of order excluding lands or subdivision upon petition
A. Upon the hearings,  if the board of directors deems that the lands sought to be excluded cannot be beneficially served by the district,  or finds that the lands within a subdivision sought to be excluded have not been beneficially served by the district within five years immediately preceding the date of the petition,  it shall enter an order upon the records of the district recording the action taken.
B. If an order is made for the exclusion of lands or of a subdivision a certified copy of the order shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder and filed with the board of supervisors of each of the counties in which portions of the district are located. The recording and filing of the order shall give full legal force and effect to the order,  and proof of the facts stated in the order shall be made in the same manner and with like effect as proof is made of the original order establishing the district.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 48 - Special Taxing Districts › § 48-1725 - Guardians, conservators, personal representatives or administrators as petitioners

48-1725.
Guardians,  conservators,  personal representatives or administrators as petitioners
A guardian,  conservator,  personal representative or administrator of an estate who has qualified under the laws of this state and as such is entitled to possession of the lands belonging to the estate which he represents,  and a person designated in writing by the board of directors of a corporation,  may sign the petition provided by section 48-1721 or 48-1722.