2023 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) › 153.52 - Definitions.

153.52 Definitions.—As used in this law, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings, unless some other meaning is plainly intended:
(1) “District” shall mean any unincorporated contiguous area comprising part but not all of the area of any county created into and existing as a water and sewer district pursuant and subject to this law, having the rights, powers and privileges granted in this law.
(2) “Board of county commissioners” shall mean the board of county commissioners of the county in which a district created pursuant to this law is located.
(3) “District board” shall mean the board of county commissioners of any county constituting the governing body of any district as provided for in this law, and acting for and on behalf of such district as a body corporate and politic.
(4) “Sewer system” shall mean and shall include any plant, system, facility or property and additions, extensions and improvements thereto at any future time constructed or acquired as part thereof, useful or necessary or having the present capacity for future use in connection with the collection, treatment, purification or disposal of sewage of any nature or originating from any source, including industrial wastes resulting from any processes of industry, manufacture, trade or business or from the development of any natural resources; and without limiting the generality of the foregoing definition shall embrace treatment plants, pumping stations, lift stations, valves, force mains, intercepting sewers, laterals, pressure lines, mains and all necessary appurtenances and equipment, all sewer mains and laterals for the reception and collection of sewage from premises connected therewith, and shall include all real and personal property and any interest therein, rights, easements and franchises of any nature whatsoever relating to any such system and necessary or convenient for the operation thereof.
(5) “Water system” shall mean and include any plant, system, facility or property and additions, extensions and improvements thereto at any future time constructed or acquired as part thereof, useful or necessary or having the present capacity for future use in connection with the development of sources, treatment or purification and distribution of water and alternative water supplies, including, but not limited to, reclaimed water and water from aquifer storage and recovery and desalination systems, for domestic or industrial use and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall include dams, reservoirs, storage tanks, mains, lines, valves, pumping stations, laterals, and pipes for the purpose of carrying water to the premises connected with such system and shall include all real and personal property and any interests therein, rights, easements and franchises of any nature whatsoever relating to any such system and necessary or convenient for the operation thereof.
(6) “Cost” as applied to the acquisition and construction of a water system or a sewer system or extensions, additions or improvements thereto shall include the cost of construction or reconstruction, acquisition or purchase, the cost of all labor, materials, machinery and equipment, cost of all lands and interest therein, property, rights, easements and franchises of any nature whatsoever, financing charges, interest prior to and during construction and for not more than 2 years after completion of the construction or acquisition of such water system or sewer system or extensions, additions or improvements thereto, the creation of initial reserve or debt service funds, bond discount, cost of plans and specifications, surveys and estimates of costs and revenues, cost of engineering, financial and legal services, and all other expenses necessary or incidental in determining the feasibility or practicability of such construction, reconstruction or acquisition, administrative expenses and such other expenses as may be necessary or incidental to financing authorized by this law, and including reimbursement of the county or any other person, firm or corporation for any moneys advanced to a district for any expenses incurred by a district or county in connection with any of the foregoing items of cost, or the creation of such district.
(7) “Assessable improvements” shall mean that portion or portions of a sewer system or a water system of a local nature and of benefit to the premises or lands served thereby and particularly, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, with reference to a sewer system, shall include, without being limited to, laterals and mains for the collection and reception of sewage from premises connected therewith, local or auxiliary pumping or lift stations, treatment plants or disposal plants, and other appurtenant facilities and equipment for the collection, treatment and disposal of sewage; and with reference to a water system shall include such mains and laterals and other distribution facilities, pumping stations, and sources of supply as are of benefit to the property served by such water system together with incidental equipment and appurtenances necessary therefor.
(8) “District clerk” shall mean the clerk of the circuit court and ex officio clerk of the board of county commissioners in and for any county having or establishing a district pursuant to this law, who shall be clerk and treasurer of the district.
(9) “Revenue bonds” shall mean bonds or other obligations secured by and payable from the revenues derived from rates, fees and charges collected by a district from the users of the facilities of any water system or sewer system, or both, and which may be additionally secured by a pledge of the proceeds of special assessments levied against benefited property or by a pledge of the full faith and credit of the district, or both.
(10) “General obligation bonds” shall mean bonds or other obligations secured by the full faith and credit and taxing power of the district and payable from ad valorem taxes levied and collected on all taxable property in the district, without limitation of rate or amount, and may be additionally secured by the pledge of either or both the proceeds of special assessments levied against benefited property, or revenues derived from said water system or sewer system, or both.
(11) “Assessment bonds” shall mean bonds or other obligations secured by and payable from special assessments levied against benefited lands, and which may be additionally secured by a pledge of the full faith and credit of the district.
History.—s. 3, ch. 59-466; s. 3, ch. 95-323.