US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

Chapter 552 — Water Improvement Districts

 

2007 EDITION

 

WATER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS

 

WATER LAWS

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

552.013     Definitions

 

ORGANIZATION OF DISTRICT

 

552.108     Creation of water improvement district; purposes; limitation

 

552.113     Water rights protected; minimum acreage requirement; withdrawal procedure for city or other special districts

 

552.118     Petition contents

 

552.133     Election on formation

 

552.138     Status of final order; time for protest

 

552.143     Proceedings to test validity of order or act of district board

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

552.208     Election of first board of directors; number; qualifications; terms; change of number of directors

 

552.218     Organizational meeting; oath; officers; meetings

 

552.223     Duties of district board

 

POWERS OF DISTRICT

 

552.305     Powers of districts generally

 

552.310     Condemnation

 

552.315     Right to enter and survey land

 

552.320     Operation of water works and sale of water; conditions

 

552.325     Water charges; use of revenues; collection and enforcement

 

552.330     Water user regulations; enforcement; notice

 

552.345     User regulations; fees for use of facilities

 

552.350     Cooperation with the United States; water quality supervision subject to state authority

 

552.403     Watershed improvement plans; cooperation with Water Resources Commission

 

552.408     District projects; engineering plans

 

552.413     Engineering plans prepared by other agencies

 

552.418     Notice of engineering plan; hearing; objections of landowners; approval or disapproval of plan

 

552.423     Advertising for bids on construction contract

 

552.428     Letting construction contract; contractor’s bond or letter of credit

 

552.433     Chief engineer of district to superintend work

 

552.438     Construction on public land or right of way, or along watercourse

 

DISTRICT FINANCES

 

552.603     Financing construction, operation or maintenance of district works

 

552.608     Assessment of cost of works against benefited land; hearing on proposed assessment

 

552.613     Improvement bonds

 

552.618     Effect of irrigation contract

 

552.623     Ad valorem tax levy, collection, enforcement

 

552.624     Filing boundary change with county assessor and Department of Revenue

 

552.625     Maximum rate of tax levy; procedure to change rate

 

552.630     Service and user charges

 

552.635     Levy to establish revolving fund; use of fund

 

552.645     General obligation bonds

 

552.655     Refunding bonds

 

552.660     Process for issuance of bonds

 

552.670     Loan contracts with state or federal agencies

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

552.710     Subdistrict procedure; authority

 

552.720     Dissolution of irrigation, drainage or water control district and transfer of assets and liabilities to water improvement district

 

552.740     Notice requirements

 

552.750     Election laws applicable

 

BOUNDARY CHANGES

 

552.810     Procedure for inclusion or exclusion of land in district

 

552.830     Date of election on dissolution of district

 

PENALTIES

 

552.992     Penalties

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

      552.005 [Repealed by 1955 c.707 §75]

 

      552.010 [Repealed by 1955 c.707 §75]

 

      552.013 Definitions. As used in this chapter, except when the context requires otherwise:

      (1) “County board” means the county court or the board of county commissioners of a county.

      (2) “District” means a water improvement district proposed or created under this chapter.

      (3) “District board” means the board of directors of a district.

      (4) “Engineering plan” means the plans and specifications for the works to be constructed including:

      (a) Maps, profiles, plans and other data necessary to show the location and character of the work, and the property benefited, taken or damaged;

      (b) All rights of way or other property which may be required for the construction of the works; and

      (c) Estimates of the cost of the works and of the benefits and damages which will accrue to each tract of land upon the construction of the works.

      (5) “Filed for record” means to file a document for recording with the county clerk of each county in which the lands within a district are located.

      (6) “Land” or “tract of land” means real property, together with improvements thereon, within a district.

      (7) “Landowner,” “owner,” “owner of land” and “owner in fee” are synonymous and mean a person owning a tract of land situated within a district. The vendee named in a bona fide contract of sale of a tract of land situated within a district shall be considered a landowner to the exclusion of the vendor. When two or more persons own a tract of land as tenants in common or by the entirety, each person shall be regarded as a landowner.

      (8) “Real market value” means real market value computed in accordance with ORS 308.207.

      (9) “Works” means dams, storage reservoirs, canals, ditches, dikes, levees, revetments, and all other structures, facilities, improvements and property necessary or convenient for draining land, controlling flood or surface waters, or supplying water for irrigation, domestic supply or other purposes. [1969 c.606 §2; 1983 c.83 §100; 1991 c.459 §428]

 

      552.015 [Amended by 1955 c.707 §71; renumbered 552.025]

 

      552.020 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.025 [Formerly 552.015; repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.105 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

ORGANIZATION OF DISTRICT

 

      552.108 Creation of water improvement district; purposes; limitation. (1) A water improvement district may be created as provided by this chapter for the purpose of acquiring, purchasing, constructing, improving, operating and maintaining drainage, irrigation, and flood and surface water control works in order to prevent damage and destruction of life and property by floods, to improve the agricultural and other uses of lands and waters, to improve the public health, welfare and safety, to provide domestic or municipal and industrial water supply, to provide water-related recreation and for the purpose of enhancing water pollution control, water quality, and fish and wildlife resources.

      (2) Nothing in this chapter grants to a district the power to generate, distribute, transmit or sell electricity or to sell water or falling water to any person to generate electricity. [1969 c.606 §3; 1987 c.185 §2]

 

      552.110 [Amended by 1955 c.707 §72; repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.113 Water rights protected; minimum acreage requirement; withdrawal procedure for city or other special districts. (1) This chapter shall not be construed to affect, amend or repeal any other law of Oregon or to affect or impair the vested rights of any person or public body as defined in ORS 174.109 to the use of water or rights in the use of water.

      (2) A water improvement district formed under this chapter shall include not less than 1,000 acres of land. Lands located within the boundaries of a city, domestic water supply corporation, irrigation district, drainage district or other similar special district providing water for use or water control may be included within the boundaries of a water improvement district without the consent of the city or other district.

      (3)(a) If any part of a city or other special district is included within the boundaries described in a petition for creation of a district or for annexation of territory to a district, within three days after the petition is filed, the petitioners shall notify the city or other district of the filing of the petition.

      (b) The city or other district may withdraw the territory within its boundaries from the proposed water improvement district or annexation by describing the area within the city or other district in a resolution and filing the resolution with the county board within 90 days after the filing of the petition. If a withdrawal is so filed, the area within the city or other district shall not be included within the proposal. [1969 c.606 §16; 2003 c.802 §135]

 

      552.115 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.118 Petition contents. In addition to other matters the petition for formation of a district shall include:

      (1) An estimate of the acreage of land within the district and an estimate of the acreage within each county if the district is located in more than one county; and

      (2) The maximum rate of any ad valorem tax, if any, that may be levied by the district as permitted by ORS 552.625. [1969 c.606 §4; 1971 c.727 §164; 1991 c.459 §428a]

 

      552.120 [Amended by 1955 c.707 §73; repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.123 [1969 c.606 §5; repealed by 1971 c.727 §203]

 

      552.125 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.128 [1969 c.606 §6; repealed by 1971 c.727 §203]

 

      552.130 [Repealed by 1955 c.707 §75]

 

      552.133 Election on formation. If an election is called on the question of formation, it shall be held on a date specified in ORS 255.345. An order creating a district shall include the maximum rate of any ad valorem tax levy for the district. [1969 c.606 §7; 1971 c.727 §165; 1983 c.350 §299]

 

      552.135 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.138 Status of final order; time for protest. (1) No final order creating a district shall be set aside, or annulled upon appeal or review, on account of any defect or irregularity in the petition asking for organization of the district, or notice of hearings thereon, which does not materially affect the substantial rights of an interested party.

      (2) No proceeding may be maintained contesting the validity of the creation of a district unless instituted within 90 days after the entry of the final order of the county board. [1969 c.606 §8]

 

      552.140 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.143 Proceedings to test validity of order or act of district board. (1) In addition to the proceeding a district is authorized to bring under ORS 33.710 and 33.720, any landowner or elector of a district may bring a like proceeding in the circuit court of the county where the lands within the district, or the greater portion thereof, are situated, to determine the validity of any order or the performance of any act mentioned in ORS 33.710, for which a contest is by that section provided. In such a proceeding the district board shall be made parties defendant.

      (2) Service of summons shall be made on the members of the board personally if within the county where the district, or any part thereof, is situated. As to any directors not within the county, service may be had by publication of summons for a like time, and in like manner, as is provided by ORS 33.720. Jurisdiction shall be complete within 10 days after the date of completing publication of notice.

      (3) The proceeding shall be tried and determined in the same manner as proceedings brought by the district. [1969 c.606 §9]

 

      552.145 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.150 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.155 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.160 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.165 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.170 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.175 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.180 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.185 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.205 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

      552.208 Election of first board of directors; number; qualifications; terms; change of number of directors. (1) Electors of a district shall elect a board of directors whose number shall be fixed at five, seven or nine by the county board at the proceedings on formation. Directors shall be owners of land within the district. The directors need not reside within the district.

      (2) Each director shall be elected for a term of four years except the directors elected on creation of the district. The directors first elected shall determine their terms by lot as follows:

      (a) If there are nine directors, the terms of four shall expire June 30 next following the first regular district election and the terms of five shall expire June 30 next following the second regular district election.

      (b) If there are seven directors, the terms of three shall expire June 30 next following the first regular district election and the terms of four shall expire June 30 next following the second regular district election.

      (c) If there are five directors, the terms of two shall expire June 30 next following the first regular district election and the terms of three shall expire June 30 next following the second regular district election.

      (3) The board of directors shall fill any vacancy on the board as provided in ORS 198.320.

      (4) The board or 10 or more landowners may petition the county board to change the number of directors on the district board. If the county board acts favorably on the petition, it shall enter an order which designates the terms of office of the five, seven or nine directors in general accordance with this section so that the number remaining on the district board will be divided into two equal or approximately equal groups as to terms. The change in the number of board members shall take place on July 1 next following the order. [1969 c.606 §17; 1971 c.23 §9; 1971 c.727 §166; 1973 c.796 §69; 1975 c.647 §45; 1983 c.350 §300]

 

      552.210 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.213 [1969 c.606 §18; repealed by 1971 c.647 §149]

 

      552.215 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.218 Organizational meeting; oath; officers; meetings. (1) As soon as possible after an election of directors, the directors shall meet for the purpose of qualifying all persons elected as directors and for the purpose of electing officers of the district. Each director shall qualify by subscribing to an oath of office.

      (2) The directors shall elect from their number a chairperson and vice chairperson and shall appoint a secretary-treasurer. The officers shall have the authority and duties given to them by the board.

      (3) The board shall hold meetings as may be necessary or convenient. [1969 c.606 §19; 1971 c.403 §11; 1987 c.185 §3]

 

      552.220 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.223 Duties of district board. A district board shall:

      (1) Manage and conduct the affairs of the district.

      (2) Employ and appoint agents and employees, prescribe their duties and fix their compensation.

      (3) Establish reasonable rules and regulations for the administration of the affairs of the district.

      (4) Withhold deliveries of water to lands upon which there are delinquent assessments or charges.

      (5) Establish and maintain funds and accounts for the funds of the district and of any subdistrict.

      (6) Obtain an annual audit of the books of the district.

      (7) Fix the location of the principal office of the district at some convenient place within or without the district.

      (8) Keep a record of all of the proceedings of the district board.

      (9) Furnish a record book to the county clerk of each county in which lands within the district are located, in which shall be recorded all contracts executed under ORS 552.618 and 552.670, all orders levying assessments and creating subdistricts, and other documents required by law to be recorded. [1969 c.606 §20; 1971 c.23 §10]

 

      552.225 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.228 [1969 c.606 §27; repealed by 1971 c.268 §24]

 

      552.230 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.235 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.240 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.245 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.250 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.255 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.260 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.265 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.270 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.275 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.280 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.285 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

POWERS OF DISTRICT

 

      552.305 Powers of districts generally. A water improvement district has full power to carry out the objects of its creation and to that end may:

      (1) Have and use a seal.

      (2) Have perpetual succession.

      (3) Sue and be sued in its own name.

      (4) Acquire by condemnation, purchase, devise, gift or voluntary grant real and personal property or any interest therein, located inside or outside of the boundaries of the district, and take, hold, possess and dispose of real and personal property purchased from, or donated by, the United States, or any state, territory, public body as defined in ORS 174.109 or person for the purpose of aiding in the objects of the district.

      (5) Enter into intergovernmental agreements under ORS chapter 190 for the construction, preservation, improvement, operation or maintenance of any works.

      (6) Build, construct, purchase, improve, operate and maintain, subject to other applicable provisions of law, all works necessary or desirable under any engineering plan adopted by the district.

      (7) Enter into contracts and employ agents, engineers and attorneys.

      (8) Appropriate and acquire water and water rights and sell, lease and deliver water for irrigation and other purposes both inside and outside the district.

      (9) Do such other acts or things as may be necessary for the proper exercise of the powers granted to make the greatest beneficial use of the waters of the district. [1969 c.606 §14; 2003 c.802 §136]

 

      552.310 Condemnation. The right to condemn property, pursuant to ORS 552.305 (4), shall include property already devoted to public use, including city, state and county property, which is less necessary than the use for which it is required by the district. In the acquisition of property or rights by condemnation, the board shall proceed in the name of the district under the provisions of the laws of Oregon. However, the right of condemnation may not be exercised against any water right; against land or other property owned by a city supplying domestic water; a public utility as defined by ORS 757.005; against a telecommunications carrier as defined in ORS 133.721; against lands of a domestic water supply district organized under ORS chapter 264, an irrigation district organized under ORS chapter 545, a drainage district organized under ORS chapter 547, a diking district organized under ORS chapter 551 or a corporation for the use and control of water organized under ORS chapter 554; or against property of the State of Oregon for highway purposes. [1969 c.606 §23; 1983 c.740 §216; 1987 c.447 §109; 1999 c.1093 §18]

 

      552.315 Right to enter and survey land. The district board, its officers, agents or employees shall have the right to enter upon any land in the manner provided by ORS 35.220 to make surveys for the purposes of the district. [1969 c.606 §15; 2003 c.477 §9]

 

      552.320 Operation of water works and sale of water; conditions. A water improvement district may:

      (1) Acquire, construct, reconstruct, equip, own, maintain, operate, sell, lease and dispose of domestic, industrial and municipal water works or systems and property and all appurtenances incident thereto.

      (2) Furnish water for domestic, industrial and municipal uses to premises and inhabitants within the district, and in connection therewith, may supply, furnish and sell any surplus water storage or carrying capacity over and above the domestic, industrial and municipal needs of its inhabitants to persons or public bodies as defined in ORS 174.109, either within or without the district. However:

      (a) A district shall not sell, offer to sell, lease or deliver water within a city that is receiving water for any purpose from a public utility as defined by ORS 757.005; and

      (b) The power to furnish water for domestic, industrial and municipal uses under this section shall not be exercised in such a manner as to impair the service of the district in furnishing water for its inhabitants. [1969 c.606 §21; 2003 c.802 §137]

 

      552.325 Water charges; use of revenues; collection and enforcement. (1) The district board shall fix charges for water furnished for domestic, industrial and municipal purposes so that the water system is self-sustaining. All indebtedness incurred in the acquisition, construction, maintenance, operation and disposition of the system shall be paid from the revenue collected and from the proceeds of the disposition of the whole or any part of the water system. The district board may establish rates or charges to be paid by each person whose premises are served. The rates or charges may be fixed and classified according to the type of use and according to the amount of water used, and according to whether the property serviced lies within or without the boundaries of the district.

      (2) The district shall establish and maintain separate accounts covering the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, maintenance, operation and disposition of the domestic, industrial and municipal water system.

      (3) The district board may contract with any other district or with a city to collect water charges for the district within the other district or city and the district may pay a reasonable charge for such services.

      (4) Water charges may also be collected and enforced as provided by ORS 454.225. [1969 c.606 §22; 1983 c.740 §216a]

 

      552.330 Water user regulations; enforcement; notice. A district may adopt and promulgate regulations concerning the use of water of the district. The district board may refuse to supply any building, place or premises with water when the user fails after five days’ written notice to comply with the regulations of the district. The written notice shall be by first-class mail or shall be posted in some conspicuous place on the building, place or premises to which the supply of water may be shut off. When the notice is mailed, it shall be considered given when it is deposited in the United States Post Office properly addressed with postage prepaid. [1969 c.606 §26; 1991 c.250 §2]

 

      552.340 [1969 c.606 §28; repealed by 1987 c.185 §7]

 

      552.345 User regulations; fees for use of facilities. A district shall have power:

      (1) To make and enforce regulations governing the conduct of the users of the recreational facilities of the district.

      (2) To prohibit any person violating any regulation from thereafter using the facilities of the district for such period as the board may determine.

      (3) To establish and collect reasonable charges for the use of the facilities of the district and issue appropriate evidence of the payment of such charges. [1969 c.606 §29(1)]

 

      552.350 Cooperation with the United States; water quality supervision subject to state authority. (1) A district has the power:

      (a) To cooperate with the United States in the manner provided by Congress for flood control, reclamation, conservation and allied purposes, such as recreation, in protecting the inhabitants, the land and other property within the district from the effects of a surplus or a deficiency of water when the cooperation of the district is beneficial to the public health, welfare, safety and utility.

      (b) To have general control and supervision over bodies of water which are owned or maintained, or which have been improved, by the district, insofar as the quality of water may affect the public health, welfare, safety and utility of the bodies of water.

      (2) In carrying out the authority granted by subsection (1)(b) of this section, the district may prevent any person including any elected or appointed officer, employee or person under the control of a city, county or district, from depositing directly or indirectly in any such bodies of water, any rubbish, filth or poisonous or deleterious substance liable to affect the health of persons, fish or livestock. However, the authority granted by this subsection shall not be exercised unless the Environmental Quality Commission, after study and determination of a specific request of the district, certifies to the district that the quality of a body of water under the jurisdiction of the district is injurious to the health of persons, fish or livestock. [1969 c.606 §30]

 

      552.403 Watershed improvement plans; cooperation with Water Resources Commission. (1) A district shall, within a reasonable time after formation, prepare broad, general plans of watershed improvement. The plan may be prepared in cooperation with the Water Resources Commission and shall conform to the state water resources policy declared by ORS 536.220.

      (2) The plan also shall show existing and proposed works of the district and of other public and private agencies relating to water use and control. It shall demonstrate a basis for the coordination and planning of future works of the district, governmental agencies and private interests to assure the maximum beneficial use and conservation of the water resources of the district. The projects and improvement plans shall be based on the inventory of water, needs of the district related to natural resources, and plans and programs, if any, developed by the Water Resources Commission. The district may have access to all information, statistics, plans and data in the possession of or available to any state agency or public corporation which is pertinent to the preparation of the plan and may reimburse the agency or corporation for any expense incurred in cooperating with the board.

      (3) After approval by the district board, the plan of the district including the plan for financing any existing or proposed works may be submitted to the Water Resources Commission for recommendations.

      (4) The district board shall make revisions found necessary for the proper control, utilization, conservation, development and improvement of the water resources of the district, and for the protection and enhancement of the quality of such water resources. [1969 c.606 §31]

 

      552.405 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.408 District projects; engineering plans. Construction of district works may be undertaken on motion of the district board or when landowners of the district request the district board to do so. Upon initiation of a construction project, the district board shall obtain engineering plans for the project. [1969 c.606 §33; 1987 c.185 §4; 1989 c.182 §45]

 

      552.410 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.413 Engineering plans prepared by other agencies. In lieu of obtaining engineering plans as provided by ORS 552.408, the district board may adopt as an engineering plan, any plans meeting the requirements of this chapter made by an agency of the federal government or the state, or proposed as project work plans by a soil and water conservation district in which lands within the water improvement district are located. [1969 c.606 §34; 1989 c.182 §46]

 

      552.415 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.418 Notice of engineering plan; hearing; objections of landowners; approval or disapproval of plan. (1) Upon completion or adoption of the engineering plan, the district board shall cause notice to be given to the landowners that the plan, including the general report, may be inspected at the district office. The notice may be given by mail or by publication as the board determines.

      (2) The notice shall fix a time and place for a hearing before the district board of all objections to the plan. The hearing shall be held not less than 20 nor more than 30 days after the date of mailing, or the date of the last publication, of the notice. At the hearing the board may make changes in the plan as necessary in the light of objections or suggestions made by persons appearing at the hearing. After the hearing the board shall approve the plan as proposed, corrected or changed, by adopting an order of approval. However, if the owners of more than 50 percent of the acreage within the district, within 30 days after the date of the order approving the plan, file written objections to the order with the secretary of the district, no further action shall be taken under the order and the plan shall be considered disapproved by the district board and rejected by the landowners. When an engineering plan is rejected by the landowners, the board may obtain a new engineering plan and present it to the landowners as provided by this section. [1969 c.606 §35; 1989 c.182 §47]

 

      552.420 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.423 Advertising for bids on construction contract. After the approval of the engineering plan as provided by ORS 552.418 and before beginning the construction of any works, the district board shall give notice, by publication and otherwise, as it may consider advisable, calling for bids for the construction of such works, or any portion thereof. [1969 c.606 §36; 1989 c.182 §48]

 

      552.425 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.428 Letting construction contract; contractor’s bond or letter of credit. After advertising for bids, the board shall let a contract for construction of the whole or any part of the project to the lowest responsible bidder; or the board may reject any or all bids and readvertise; or it may construct the project under its own superintendence. Good and sufficient bond, or an irrevocable letter of credit issued by an insured institution as defined in ORS 706.008 running in favor of the district, shall be required of each contractor, conditioned that the contractor will well and truly comply with all the provisions of the contract and perform all work in accordance with the terms thereof. [1969 c.606 §37; 1991 c.331 §81; 1997 c.631 §491]

 

      552.433 Chief engineer of district to superintend work. If the district has a chief engineer, the chief engineer shall be superintendent of all the works and improvements and shall, whenever required, and at least once each year, make a full report to the district board of all work done and improvements. The chief engineer shall make such suggestions and recommendations to the board as the chief engineer considers proper. [1969 c.606 §38]

 

      552.438 Construction on public land or right of way, or along watercourse. (1) A district may construct works across or along any street or public highway, or over any lands which are property of this state, or any subdivision thereof. A district may construct its work across and along any stream of water or watercourse.

      (2) Any works across or along any highway, road or street shall be constructed only with the permission of the Department of Transportation, the county board or the city governing body having jurisdiction of the highway, road or street. The district shall restore any highway, road or street to its former state as near as may be and shall not use the right of way in a manner unnecessarily to impair its usefulness. [1969 c.606 §39]

 

      552.505 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.510 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.515 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

DISTRICT FINANCES

 

      552.603 Financing construction, operation or maintenance of district works. The district board may, in accordance with the order approving an engineering plan adopted under ORS 552.418, finance the construction, operation or maintenance of district works by:

      (1) Use of the revolving fund established under ORS 552.635.

      (2) Assessments under ORS 552.608 and 552.613 against the benefited property in the district with or without issuance of improvement bonds or warrants.

      (3) Service charges and user fees collected under ORS 552.618 or 552.630 from those who are served by or use the services, works and facilities of the district.

      (4) Levy of ad valorem taxes under ORS 552.623 and 552.625.

      (5) Sale of bonds under ORS 552.645 to 552.660.

      (6) Any combination of the provisions of subsections (1) to (5) of this section. [1969 c.606 §40]

 

      552.605 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.608 Assessment of cost of works against benefited land; hearing on proposed assessment. (1) All or part of the cost of building, constructing, purchasing, operating, maintaining and improving the district works described in an engineering plan adopted under ORS 552.408 or 552.413 may be assessed against the lands to be benefited by the works. The district board shall determine the portion of the cost, if any, that is to be paid from the general funds of the district and the portion that is to be paid by the lands benefited.

      (2) Assessments shall be apportioned by the district board in accordance with the special and peculiar benefit to be received from the district works by each lot or parcel of land. Where parcels of land, or portions thereof, in the district are undeveloped, the district board may, in its discretion, defer assessing or imposing all or any portion of such assessments on such parcels until such parcels are connected with or receiving services from the district works.

      (3) The district board shall afford an opportunity for hearing of any individual objections or remonstrances to assessments under this section. If remonstrances or objections are received by the district board signed by more than 50 percent of the landowners representing more than 50 percent of the acreage within the proposed assessment district, the proposed improvement shall not be made. [1969 c.606 §41]

 

      552.610 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]

 

      552.613 Improvement bonds. If any portion of the cost of a district works is assessed against the property directly benefited, the district board may issue improvement bonds in the total amount of the valid applications it has received to pay assessments in installments as provided by ORS 223.205 and 223.210 to 223.295. [1969 c.606 §42; 1995 c.333 §19]

 

      552.615 [Repealed by 1969 c.168 §1]