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.
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 […]
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 […]
153.53 – Establishment of districts in unincorporated areas.
153.53 Establishment of districts in unincorporated areas.— (1) Subject to this law, the board of county commissioners of any county may establish one or more districts as it shall in its discretion determine to be necessary in the public interest. Any such district shall consist of only unincorporated contiguous areas of such county, comprising part but not […]
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 […]
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 […]
153.56 – Call election to determine creation of district, issuance of bonds.
153.56 Call election to determine creation of district, issuance of bonds.— (1) If the board of county commissioners shall deem that the creation of the proposed district is necessary in the public interest as provided in s. 153.55, it shall call an election for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors residing in said proposed district […]
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 […]
153.58 – Election results; resolution of commission; publication of notice of estoppel.
153.58 Election results; resolution of commission; publication of notice of estoppel.— (1) Immediately after any such election or elections the board of county commissioners shall hold a meeting and shall canvass the votes cast at said election or elections and declare the results thereof by resolution. (a) If a majority of the qualified electors who vote in said […]
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 […]
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; […]
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 […]
153.62 – District board; powers.
153.62 District board; powers.—The district board for and on behalf of any district created hereunder in addition to and supplementing other powers granted in this law, is authorized and empowered: (1) To make rules and regulations for its own government and proceedings and to adopt an official seal for the district. (2) To employ engineers, attorneys, accountants, financial […]
153.63 – Revenue bonds.
153.63 Revenue bonds.— (1) The district board for and on behalf of any district is authorized to provide from time to time for the issuance of revenue bonds to pay all or part of the cost of a water system or sewer system, or both, or any additions, extensions or improvements thereto. The principal of and interest […]
153.64 – Schedule of rates and fees.
153.64 Schedule of rates and fees.— (1) The district board shall fix the initial schedule of rates, fees or other charges for the use of and the services and facilities to be furnished by any such water system or sewer system to be paid by the owner, tenant or occupant of each lot or parcel of land […]
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 […]
153.66 – Covenants of district board with bondholders.
153.66 Covenants of district board with bondholders.—In addition to the other provisions and requirements of this law any resolution authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds, general obligation bonds, assessment bonds or any other obligations issued hereunder, may contain provisions and the district board is authorized to provide and may covenant and agree with the several holders […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]