2023 Indiana Code › Title 14. Natural and Cultural Resources › Article 33. Conservancy Districts › Chapter 6. District Plan › 14-33-6-13. Powers and Duties of Board

Sec. 13. (a) The board shall place the district plan in operation by constructing all works and maintaining the works in accordance with the district plan.
(b) If necessary to discharge these responsibilities, the board may do the following:
(1) Except as provided in IC 14-33-24-8(d), levy taxes on the real property in the district.
(2) Except as provided in IC 14-33-24-8(d), make assessments on the real property in the district, except the property that is exempt under IC 14-33-7-4, for exceptional benefits to the property and further assessments pro rata for maintenance and operation of the works of improvement.
(3) Issue bonds and short and long term notes.
(4) Incur other debts and liabilities.
(5) Except as provided in subsection (c), exercise the power of eminent domain, both inside and outside the boundaries of the district, in accordance with this article or another eminent domain statute. In the exercise of this power, due care shall be taken to minimize interference with other public interests involved.
(6) Make payments for the fair value of all property taken under eminent domain proceedings, and in cases that are appealed, make the payments into court and proceed promptly in placing the district plan in operation.
(7) Institute any type of civil legal proceedings in a court having jurisdiction over the person or property in question.
(8) Purchase or rent property.
(9) Sell services or property that are produced incident to the district plan at a fair and reasonable price.
(10) Make contracts or otherwise enter into agreements with persons or federal, state, or local governmental agencies for construction, maintenance, operation, or security of any part of the district.
(11) Receive and disburse money.
(12) Lease land and other assets to municipalities, counties, and park boards of municipalities or counties, with the term and annual rental adequate to meet the district's repayment schedule for financing, if any, of the land and other assets leased. Municipalities, counties, and park boards of municipalities or counties may enter into leases without limitations of other statutes regarding the receipt of petitions, the duration of the term of the lease, or the distance of the land and other assets from the corporate boundaries. The municipalities, counties, and park boards may enter into leases:
(A) for terms as long as fifty (50) years;
(B) at locations that the municipalities, counties, and park boards determine would benefit the municipalities or counties; and
(C) upon terms, conditions, and covenants that are fair and reasonable.
The board may pledge the rental income from the lease as revenue for services or property produced incident to the operation of the district.
(13) Perform necessary construction and maintenance work as follows:
(A) Outside the district.
(B) Outside Indiana if:
(i) there is voluntary agreement on the part of persons outside Indiana; and
(ii) the work will confer benefits to the real property in the district in excess of costs and damages to be paid by the district.
(c) A reservoir conservancy district established under IC 14-33-24 may not exercise the power of eminent domain.
[Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 13-3-3-58(a), (b) part.]
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.26. Amended by P.L.52-2012, SEC.1; P.L.148-2020, SEC.14.