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S.B. 173 Enrolled

                 

SPECIAL DISTRICT AND LOCAL DISTRICT

                 
GOVERNING BODY ISSUES

                 
2000 GENERAL SESSION

                 
STATE OF UTAH

                 
Sponsor: R. Mont Evans

                  AN ACT RELATING TO SPECIAL DISTRICTS AND LIMITED PURPOSE LOCAL
                  GOVERNMENT ENTITIES; MODIFYING PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE
                  COMPOSITION, OPERATION, AND COMPENSATION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
                  OF SPECIAL DISTRICTS AND ENACTING SUCH PROVISIONS FOR LOCAL DISTRICTS;
                  AND MAKING TECHNICAL CHANGES.
                  This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
                  AMENDS:
                      17A-2-208, as last amended by Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 1993
                      17A-2-210, as last amended by Chapter 124, Laws of Utah 1996
                      17A-2-219, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-305, as last amended by Chapter 154, Laws of Utah 1999
                      17A-2-308, as last amended by Chapter 17, Laws of Utah 1997
                      17A-2-411, as last amended by Chapter 368, Laws of Utah 1998
                      17A-2-506, as last amended by Chapter 36, Laws of Utah 1997
                      17A-2-509, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-511, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-512, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-514, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-529, as last amended by Chapter 322, Laws of Utah 1997
                      17A-2-530, as last amended by Chapter 322, Laws of Utah 1997
                      17A-2-531, as last amended by Chapter 365, Laws of Utah 1999
                      17A-2-532, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-533, as last amended by Chapter 30, Laws of Utah 1992
                      17A-2-534, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990


                      17A-2-535, as last amended by Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 1993
                      17A-2-536, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-537, as last amended by Chapter 36, Laws of Utah 1997
                      17A-2-540, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-541, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-543, as last amended by Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 1993
                      17A-2-544, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-545, as last amended by Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 1993
                      17A-2-546, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-547, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-548, as last amended by Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 1993
                      17A-2-549, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-550, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-551, as last amended by Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 1993
                      17A-2-552, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-553, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-555, as last amended by Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 1993
                      17A-2-556, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-560, as last amended by Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 1993
                      17A-2-561, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-563, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-566, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-609, as last amended by Chapters 5 and 273, Laws of Utah 1991
                      17A-2-610, as last amended by Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 1993
                      17A-2-613, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-614, as last amended by Chapter 322, Laws of Utah 1997
                      17A-2-615, as last amended by Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 1993
                      17A-2-617, as last amended by Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 1993

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                      17A-2-618, as last amended by Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 1993
                      17A-2-619, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-622, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-703, as last amended by Chapter 146, Laws of Utah 1994
                      17A-2-704, as last amended by Chapter 146, Laws of Utah 1994
                      17A-2-705, as last amended by Chapter 146, Laws of Utah 1994
                      17A-2-706, as last amended by Chapter 273, Laws of Utah 1991
                      17A-2-707, as last amended by Chapter 273, Laws of Utah 1991
                      17A-2-711, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-712, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-714, as last amended by Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 1993
                      17A-2-715, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-716, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-718, as last amended by Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 1993
                      17A-2-719, as last amended by Chapter 10, Laws of Utah 1997
                      17A-2-720, as last amended by Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 1993
                      17A-2-721, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-723, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-724, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-726, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-727, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-728, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-731, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-732, as last amended by Chapter 322, Laws of Utah 1997
                      17A-2-733, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-740, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-741, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-742, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990

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                      17A-2-743, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-744, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-745, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-746, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-747, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-748, as last amended by Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 1993
                      17A-2-749, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-750, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-751, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-752, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-754, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-756, as last amended by Chapter 299, Laws of Utah 1995
                      17A-2-757, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-758, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-759, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-760, as last amended by Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 1993
                      17A-2-761, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-767, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-768, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-801, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-802, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-818, as last amended by Chapters 199 and 299, Laws of Utah 1995
                      17A-2-819, as last amended by Chapter 10, Laws of Utah 1997
                      17A-2-820, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-821, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-824, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-825, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-827, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990

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                      17A-2-828, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-829, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-830, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-831, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-834, as last amended by Chapter 199, Laws of Utah 1995
                      17A-2-835, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-836, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-840, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-841, as last amended by Chapter 322, Laws of Utah 1997
                      17A-2-842, as last amended by Chapter 322, Laws of Utah 1997
                      17A-2-843, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-845, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-847, as last amended by Chapter 199, Laws of Utah 1995
                      17A-2-849, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-850, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-907, as last amended by Chapter 250, Laws of Utah 1999
                      17A-2-1016, as last amended by Chapter 365, Laws of Utah 1999
                      17A-2-1038, as last amended by Chapter 266, Laws of Utah 1997
                      17A-2-1039, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-1040, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-1044, as last amended by Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 1993
                      17A-2-1048, as last amended by Chapter 368, Laws of Utah 1998
                      17A-2-1049, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-1050, as last amended by Chapter 298, Laws of Utah 1997
                      17A-2-1051, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-1052, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-1054, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-1056, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990

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                      17A-2-1326, as last amended by Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 1993
                      17A-2-1402, as last amended by Chapter 5, Laws of Utah 1991
                      17A-2-1407, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-1409, as last amended by Chapter 268, Laws of Utah 1997
                      17A-2-1412, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-1413, as last amended by Chapter 299, Laws of Utah 1995
                      17A-2-1420, as last amended by Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 1993
                      17A-2-1425, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-1437, as last amended by Chapter 152, Laws of Utah 1996
                      17A-2-1439, as last amended by Chapter 261, Laws of Utah 1996
                      17A-2-1440, as last amended by Chapter 261, Laws of Utah 1996
                      17A-2-1442, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-1448, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-1449, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-1454, as enacted by Chapter 67, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-1808, as enacted by Chapter 216, Laws of Utah 1995
                      17B-2-203, as enacted by Chapter 368, Laws of Utah 1998
                      17B-2-208, as enacted by Chapter 368, Laws of Utah 1998
                  ENACTS:
                      17B-2-401, Utah Code Annotated 1953
                      17B-2-402, Utah Code Annotated 1953
                      17B-2-403, Utah Code Annotated 1953
                      17B-2-404, Utah Code Annotated 1953
                      17B-2-405, Utah Code Annotated 1953
                      17B-2-406, Utah Code Annotated 1953
                  REPEALS:
                      17A-2-209, as last amended by Chapter 124, Laws of Utah 1996
                      17A-2-215, as last amended by Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 1993

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                      17A-2-218, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-220, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-508, as last amended by Chapter 368, Laws of Utah 1998
                      17A-2-510, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-513, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-1410, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                      17A-2-1411, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
                  Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
                      Section 1. Section 17A-2-208 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-208. Cemetery maintenance district board of trustees -- Appointment -- Other
                  provisions applicable.
                      (1) [There] Each cemetery maintenance district shall be [three cemetery maintenance
                  commissioners in each cemetery district who shall constitute the cemetery maintenance board]
                  governed by a board of trustees.
                      (2) (a) The county legislative body shall appoint the first members of a cemetery maintenance
                  [commissioners of the cemetery maintenance district] board of trustees according to the requirements
                  of Title 17A, Chapter 1, Part 3.
                      (b) The certificate of appointment shall be filed with the clerk of the county legislative body.
                      [(3) Every cemetery maintenance commissioner shall take and subscribe the official oath, and
                  shall file the oath with the county legislative body.]
                      (3) (a) The provisions of Title 17B, Chapter 2, Part 4, Board of Trustees, apply to each
                  cemetery maintenance district to the same extent as if the cemetery maintenance district were a local
                  district under Title 17B, Chapter 2, Local Districts.
                      (b) (i) If a change in the number of board of trustees members is necessary to comply with
                  the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-402 (1), the board of trustees may by majority vote,
                  notwithstanding Subsection 17B-2-402 (3), change the number of board members to the next odd
                  number higher or lower than the number of current board members.
                      (ii) If a change under Subsection (3)(b)(i) decreases the number of board members, the

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                  change may not take effect until the expiration of the term of the member whose term next expires.
                      (iii) If a change in the number of board members necessitated by Subsection 17B-2-402 (1)
                  would cause the district to violate a provision of bonds issued by the district, the number of board
                  members may be modified to the extent necessary to avoid a violation.
                      (c) (i) If a change in the expiration date of the term of a board of trustees member is
                  necessary to comply with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-403 (1), the term of each board
                  member whose term expires on a day other than the first Monday in January shall be extended to the
                  first Monday in January after the normal expiration date next following the special district election
                  date under Section 17A-1-305 .
                      (ii) If a change in the length of the term of a board of trustees member is necessary to comply
                  with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-403 (2), the change may not take effect until the expiration
                  of the term of the member whose term length is to be changed.
                      Section 2. Section 17A-2-210 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-210. Appointments to fill.
                      [(1)] All vacancies on the cemetery maintenance board shall be filled by the county legislative
                  body by following the procedures and requirements of Section 17A-1-303 .
                      [(2) (a) The board members shall:]
                      [(i) assume their duties at noon on the first Monday in January;]
                      [(ii) serve without compensation, but be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses;
                  and]
                      [(iii) take and subscribe to the official oath.]
                      [(b) The subscribed oath shall be filed with the county legislative body.]
                      Section 3. Section 17A-2-219 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-219. Acquisition and possession of property -- Legal title.
                      The legal title to all property acquired under the provisions of this part shall immediately and
                  by operation of law, vest in such cemetery maintenance district and shall be held by such district in
                  trust for and is dedicated and set aside to the uses and purposes set forth in this part. [Said board is
                  authorized and empowered to hold, use, acquire, manage, occupy and possess said property as herein

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                  provided and to institute and maintain any and all actions and proceedings, suits at law or in equity
                  or to enforce, maintain, protect or preserve any and all rights, privileges and immunities created by
                  this part or acquired in pursuance thereof. In all courts, actions, suits or proceedings, the said board
                  may sue, appear and defend, in person or by attorney and in the manner of such cemetery                   maintenance
                  district.]
                      Section 4. Section 17A-2-305 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-305. Board of trustees -- Creation -- Appointment and election of members --
                  Qualifications.
                      (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3), the governing body of each district created
                  under this part, except a district that has boundaries that coincide with the boundaries of an
                  incorporated municipality, shall consist of a board of trustees created as provided in this Subsection
                  (1).
                      (b) (i) [Whenever] If a district is created that does not include property within the boundaries
                  of an incorporated municipality, the county legislative body of the initiating county may, in the initial
                  resolution creating the district, declare that the county legislative body of that county act as the
                  trustees of the district.
                      (ii) When the county legislative body of the county is designated as the trustees of the district,
                  they may:
                      (A) exercise all the powers, authority, and responsibility vested in the trustees under this
                  chapter; and
                      (B) use any existing county offices, officers, or employees for the purposes of the district.
                      (iii) The county legislative body shall charge the district a reasonable amount for the services
                  rendered to the district by the county officers, offices, and employees, other than the county
                  legislative body, to the county treasurer for the general fund of the county.
                      (c) (i) At any time after creation of [any] a district under [the provisions of this subsection]
                  this part, the county legislative body of the initiating county may by resolution determine that the
                  interests of the district would be best served by the appointment of a board of trustees.
                      (ii) The trustees shall be appointed by the county legislative body according to the procedures

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                  and requirements of Chapter 1, Part 3, Special District Board Selection Procedures.
                      (d) The county legislative body shall hold an election for trustees as provided in Chapter 1,
                  Part 3, Special District Board Selection Procedures, when:
                      (i) a petition requesting an election for trustees is filed with the county legislative body at
                  least 30 days before the date set for a bond election or 90 days before the date set for the November
                  municipal elections; and
                      (ii) the petition is signed by at least 10% of the people eligible to vote on a bond issue in
                  [any] the district [created under this part].
                      (2) In the resolution creating the district, the county legislative body of the initiating county
                  may appoint a board of trustees according to the procedures and requirements of Chapter 1, Part 3,
                  Special District Board Selection Procedures, to serve until the election and qualification of the
                  successors as provided in this part.
                      (3) (a) If the district is created for the purpose of providing electric service, the requirements
                  of this Subsection (3) supersede any contrary provision in this part.
                      (i) The initial board of trustees may be appointed by the county legislative body until the
                  election and qualification of successors as provided in this Subsection (3).
                      (ii) The board of trustees shall subsequently be elected by the persons using electricity within
                  the district.
                      (iii) In addition to the qualifications enumerated in this section, each member of the board of
                  trustees shall be a resident of the district and a user of electricity from the district.
                      (iv) The board of trustees may be elected according to geographic areas within the district.
                      (v) A municipality within the district is not entitled to automatic representation on the board
                  of trustees.
                      (b) All proceedings that have taken place in connection with the organization of the board
                  of trustees of an electric service district are considered valid and binding despite any failure to comply
                  with the provisions of this section if the electric service district was created or purported to be created
                  under this part before April 28, 1986.
                      (c) The county legislative body of the initiating county may, in the initial resolution creating

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                  an electric service district, set the boundaries of the geographic areas which each trustee will
                  represent [and the number of members who may serve on the board of trustees].
                      [(d) The board of trustees may not consist of less than three or more than nine members.]
                      (4) (a) (i) Each incorporated municipality that is contained entirely within, but does not
                  coincide with, the boundaries of the district [may request the county legislative body to appoint to
                  the board one member who is a resident of the municipality] shall be represented on the board as
                  provided in this Subsection (4)(a).
                      (ii) The legislative body of [the] each municipality or, if municipalities are combined under
                  Subsection (4)(a)(iii)(B), the legislative bodies of those combined municipalities, shall appoint [that]
                  a member by following the procedures and requirements of Chapter 1, Part 3, Special District Board
                  Selection Procedures.
                      (iii) (A) [If] Except as provided in Subsection (4)(a)(iii)(B) and subject to Subsection
                  17B-2-402 (1), if two or more incorporated municipalities are entitled to representation on the board
                  of trustees, the number of members of the board of trustees shall be increased to the lowest odd
                  number greater than the number of those municipalities.
                      (B) (I) If the number of municipalities plus the number of board members under Subsection
                  (4)(b) exceeds nine, then, except as provided in Subsection (4)(a)(iii)(B)(II), the number of trustees
                  shall be nine and the least populated municipalities shall be combined for purposes of representation
                  to the extent necessary to result in nine trustees.
                      (II) Application of Subsection (4)(a)(iii)(B)(I) may not cause a municipality to lose its
                  separate representation on the board until the end of the term of the board member who represents
                  only that municipality.
                      [(B)] (b) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (4)[(a)(iii)(C)](b)(ii), the members of the board
                  of trustees who are not appointed from a municipality under Subsections (4)(a)(i) and (ii) shall reside
                  within the district but outside the boundaries of each municipality that has the right to appoint a
                  member to the board of trustees.
                      [(C)] (ii) Notwithstanding Subsection (4)[(a)(iii)(B)](b)(i), if the population in the
                  unincorporated part of the district is less than 5% of the total district population, the members of the

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                  board of trustees who are not appointed from a municipality under Subsections (4)(a)(i) and (ii) shall
                  be chosen from the district at large.
                      [(b)] (c) (i) If the boundaries of the newly created district coincide with the boundaries of an
                  incorporated municipality, the legislative body of the municipality shall be the board of trustees for
                  the district.
                      (ii) When the municipal legislative body serves as the board of trustees:
                      (A) they shall maintain separate minutes, accounts, and other records of the affairs of the
                  district;
                      (B) they may use the existing facilities and personnel of the municipality to administer district
                  affairs;
                      (C) notwithstanding Subsections 17B-2-403 (1) and (2), their terms coincide with their terms
                  as officials of those municipalities; and
                      (D) they represent the district at large.
                      [(c)] (d) If there is no elected board of trustees for the unincorporated county at the time of
                  the first bond election, election of members of the board of trustees who are not appointed as
                  representatives of municipalities shall be held at the time the bond election is held.
                      [(d)] (e) Candidates for election to the board of trustees shall be taxpayers and qualified
                  voters in the district.
                      [(e)] (f) Subject to Subsection (4)[(a)(iii)(C)] (b)(ii), a registered voter in the district outside
                  of an incorporated municipality that has the right to appoint a member to the board of trustees may
                  file a signed statement announcing as a candidate to be one of the first elected trustees of the district
                  with the county clerk within 30 days after the board of trustees has entered an order calling the bond
                  election, but not less than 15 days before the election.
                      [(f)] (g) The board of trustees, in calling the bond election, shall provide a separate ballot,
                  if required, that contains the names of the candidates and blanks in which the voters may write in
                  additional names.
                      [(g)] (h) Each voter at the election may vote for three persons, or a lesser number qualified
                  to represent the area outside the corporate limits of any incorporated municipality that has the right

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                  to appoint a member to the board of trustees, if some members of the board of trustees of the
                  improvement district are appointed by a municipality or incorporated area.
                      [(h)] (i) The three persons, or a lesser number qualified as provided in this section, receiving
                  the highest number of votes at the election are members of the board of trustees, together with those
                  members appointed by an incorporated municipality.
                      [(i)] (j) As a member of the board of trustees, each representative may vote on all questions,
                  orders, resolutions, and ordinances coming before the board.
                      [(j) (i) The members of the first board of trustees shall serve for two and four year terms from
                  the first Monday of the next January following the first election held in the district.]
                      [(ii) Initial terms shall be selected by lot, and shall be apportioned so that, as nearly as
                  possible, 1/2 of the board will serve for two years and 1/2 for four years.]
                      [(k) After the first election, except for appointments made to fill unexpired terms, the term
                  of each member shall be four years and until his successor is elected and qualified.]
                      [(l)] (k) In voting on the election of trustees, all qualified voters in the district outside the
                  corporate limits of any incorporated municipality that has the right to appoint a member to the board
                  of trustees may vote.
                      [(m)] (l) Following the election or appointment of the first trustees, any elected trustee shall
                  be elected according to the procedures and requirements of Chapter 1, Part 3, Special District Board
                  Selection Procedures.
                      [(n) Each trustee shall:]
                      [(i) take office on the first Monday of the January after his election;]
                      [(ii) take the oath of office; and]
                      [(iii) give the bond required by law for members of the county legislative body.]
                      [(o) The trustees initially appointed shall:]
                      [(i) meet immediately after their appointment;]
                      [(ii) qualify as trustees;]
                      [(iii) elect one of their members as chairman; and]
                      [(iv) appoint a clerk and a treasurer.]

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                      (5) This section is subject to the provisions of Section 17A-2-327.
                      Section 5. Section 17A-2-308 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-308. Board of trustees -- Other provisions applicable -- No compensation to
                  county legislative body -- Audit -- Budget.
                      [(1) (a) Except for the levy of taxes, and for the powers and duties expressly vested in the
                  county legislative body in this part, the board of trustees shall exercise all powers and duties in the
                  operation of the properties of the district as are ordinarily exercised by the governing body of a
                  political subdivision.]
                      [(b) The board of trustees shall:]
                      [(i) fix its domicile;]
                      [(ii) set a regular meeting time;]
                      [(iii) select and have an official seal made; and]
                      [(iv) either require all officers and employees who are charged with the handling of any
                  district funds to provide surety bonds or provide a blanket surety bond to cover all those officers and
                  employees.]
                      [(c) The board of trustees may:]
                      [(i) adopt regulations and bylaws for the orderly operation of the district;]
                      [(ii) employ agents and employees for the operation of the properties of the district;]
                      [(iii) sue and be sued;]
                      [(iv) enter into all contracts for the benefit of the district; and]
                      [(v) generally do all things and perform or cause to be performed all acts that are necessary
                  or desirable in the conduct of its affairs and in the operation of the properties of the district.]
                      [(2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (b), each trustee shall receive total compensation
                  of not more than $2,500 per year, as determined by the board of trustees.]
                      (1) (a) Except as provided in Section 17A-2-327 , the provisions of Title 17B, Chapter 2, Part
                  4, Board of Trustees, apply to each county improvement district to the same extent as if the county
                  improvement district were a local district under Title 17B, Chapter 2, Local Districts.
                      (b) (i) If a change in the number of board of trustees members is necessary to comply with

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                  the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-402 (1), the board of trustees may by majority vote,
                  notwithstanding Subsection 17B-2-402 (3), change the number of board members to the next odd
                  number higher or lower than the number of current board members.
                      (ii) If a change under Subsection (1)(b)(i) decreases the number of board members, the
                  change may not take effect until the expiration of the term of the member whose term next expires.
                      (iii) If a change in the number of board members necessitated by Subsection 17B-2-402 (1)
                  would cause the district to violate a provision of bonds issued by the district, the number of board
                  members may be modified to the extent necessary to avoid a violation.
                      (c) (i) If a change in the expiration date of the term of a board of trustees member is
                  necessary to comply with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-403 (1), the term of each board
                  member whose term expires on a day other than the first Monday in January shall be extended to the
                  first Monday in January after the normal expiration date next following the special district election
                  date under Section 17A-1-305 .
                      (ii) If a change in the length of the term of a board of trustees member is necessary to comply
                  with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-403 (2), the change may not take effect until the expiration
                  of the term of the member whose term length is to be changed.
                      [(b)] (2) When the county legislative body acts as the board of trustees, they may not receive
                  any compensation.
                      [(c) The district shall reimburse the trustees for actual and necessary traveling and other
                  expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.]
                      [(3) (a) At any meeting of the board, the presence of the trustees entitled to cast a majority
                  of all votes entitled to be cast by the entire board of trustees is necessary for a quorum.]
                      [(b) All meetings of the board are public.]
                      [(c) The clerk shall keep a proper record of all proceedings of the board, which is open to
                  public inspection.]
                      [(d)] (3) The accounts of the district are subject to periodic audits provided by law for the
                  auditing of county accounts.
                      (4) The board of trustees shall annually prepare and adopt a budget by following the

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                  procedures and requirements of Title 17A, Chapter 1, Part 4, Uniform Fiscal Procedures for Special
                  Districts Act.
                      Section 6. Section 17A-2-411 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-411. Board of trustees -- Selection procedures -- Surety bonds -- Other
                  provisions applicable.
                      (1) Each service area authorized under this part shall be governed by a board of trustees
                  [consisting of three or more members created as provided in this section].
                      (2) (a) Upon the creation of a county service area, the county legislative body may adopt an
                  ordinance declaring that the county legislative body of the county shall act as the trustees of the
                  service area.
                      (b) Upon passage of the ordinance, the county legislative body of the county shall act as
                  trustees of the service area with all the powers, authority, and responsibility vested in the trustees
                  under this part.
                      (c) (i) The county legislative body, when acting as trustees, may use any existing county
                  offices, officers, or employees for the purposes of the service area.
                      (ii) The county legislative body shall charge costs of those services to the service area and
                  require them to be paid to the county treasurer for the general fund of the county.
                      (3) At any time after the creation of a board of trustees as provided in Subsection (1), if no
                  elected board has been established as provided in this section, the county legislative body of the
                  county in which the service area is located may:
                      (a) by ordinance, delegate its powers to an appointed or elected board of trustees as provided
                  in Chapter 1, Part 3, Special District Board Selection Procedures; and
                      (b) provide for the appointment or election of the board by following the procedures and
                  requirements of Chapter 1, Part 3, Special District Board Selection Procedures.
                      (4) At any time after the creation of a board of trustees as provided in Subsections (2) and
                  (3), the county legislative body shall hold an election for trustees by following the procedures and
                  requirements of Chapter 1, Part 3, Special District Board Selection Procedures, if:
                      (a) the county legislative body receives a petition requesting that an election for trustees be

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                  held that is:
                      (i) signed by at least 10% of persons eligible to vote in an election in a service area authorized
                  under this part; and
                      (ii) filed with the county legislative body at least 30 days before the date set for a bond
                  election or 90 days before the date set for any municipal election; or
                      (b) territory located within a municipality is annexed into the county service area under
                  Section 17A-2-417 .
                      (5) (a) If there is no elected board of trustees at the time of the first bond election, trustees
                  shall be elected in conjunction with that bond election.
                      (b) Candidates for election to the board of trustees shall be taxpayers and qualified voters in
                  the service area.
                      (c) At any time within 30 days after the county legislative body has called a bond election,
                  but not less than 15 days before the day of election, any person who is qualified to vote in the service
                  area may file a signed statement with the county clerk announcing the person's candidacy to be one
                  of the first elected trustees of the service area.
                      (d) The board of trustees shall provide a ballot separate from the bond ballot that contains
                  the names of the candidates and blanks in which the voters may write in additional names.
                      (e) A voter at the election may vote for the number of trustee positions to be filled.
                      (f) The persons receiving the highest number of votes at the election are members of the
                  board of trustees.
                      [(6) (a) Members of the first board of trustees shall serve for two and four year terms,
                  beginning on the first Monday in January after the election.]
                      [(b) Initial terms shall be selected by lot and shall be apportioned so that, whenever possible,
                  equal numbers of the board will serve for two years and four years.]
                      [(c) After the first election, except for appointments made to fill unexpired terms, the term
                  of each member is four years.]
                      [(7)] (6) (a) Each member of the board of trustees may vote on all questions, orders,
                  resolutions, and ordinances coming before the board.

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                      (b) [Each trustee shall receive total compensation of not more than $2,500 per year as
                  determined by the board of trustees, except that when] Notwithstanding Section 17B-2-404 , if the
                  county legislative body acts as the board of trustees, no compensation may be paid to them as
                  trustees.
                      (c) Each trustee who is also a member of the county legislative body shall take the oath of
                  office and shall give the bond that is required by law for members of the county legislative body.
                      [(d) All laws pertinent to the giving and filing of oaths and bonds for members of the county
                  legislative body apply to the trustees.]
                      [(e) Trustees who are not members of the county legislative body shall take the oath of office
                  and shall give a bond in the amount, and with the sureties, prescribed by the county legislative body.]
                      [(8)] (7) All qualified voters in the service area may vote in elections to select trustees and
                  in elections to approve the issuance of bonds.
                      [(9) (a)] (8) Following the election or appointment of the first trustees, each elected trustee
                  shall be elected according to the procedures and requirements of Chapter 1, Part 3, Special District
                  Board Selection Procedures.
                      [(b) Each trustee shall take office on the first Monday in January following the trustee's
                  election.]
                      [(10) Within a reasonable time after their appointment, the trustees shall meet and elect one
                  of their members as chairman and shall appoint a clerk and a treasurer, or a clerk-treasurer.]
                      [(11)] (9) Each vacancy of an elected trustee in office shall be filled according to the
                  procedures and requirements of Chapter 1, Part 3, Special District Board Selection Procedures.
                      (10) (a) The provisions of Title 17B, Chapter 2, Part 4, Board of Trustees, apply to each
                  county service area to the same extent as if the county service area were a local district under Title
                  17B, Chapter 2, Local Districts.
                      (b) (i) If a change in the number of board of trustees members is necessary to comply with
                  the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-402 (1), the board of trustees may by majority vote,
                  notwithstanding Subsection 17B-2-402 (3), change the number of board members to the next odd
                  number higher or lower than the number of current board members.

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                      (ii) If a change under Subsection (10)(b)(i) decreases the number of board members, the
                  change may not take effect until the expiration of the term of the member whose term next expires.
                      (iii) If a change in the number of board members necessitated by Subsection 17B-2-402 (1)
                  would cause the district to violate a provision of bonds issued by the district, the number of board
                  members may be modified to the extent necessary to avoid a violation.
                      (c) (i) If a change in the expiration date of the term of a board of trustees member is
                  necessary to comply with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-403 (1), the term of each board
                  member whose term expires on a day other than the first Monday in January shall be extended to the
                  first Monday in January after the normal expiration date next following the special district election
                  date under Section 17A-1-305 .
                      (ii) If a change in the length of the term of a board of trustees member is necessary to comply
                  with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-403 (2), the change may not take effect until the expiration
                  of the term of the member whose term length is to be changed.
                      Section 7. Section 17A-2-506 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-506. Corporate status -- Board of supervisors.
                      (1) A drainage district is a body corporate and politic with the right to sue and be sued, to
                  have perpetual succession, and to adopt and use a corporate seal.
                      (2) The board of [supervisors] trustees shall lay out and construct the work found by the
                  county legislative body, in connection with its review of the original petition proposing organization
                  of the drainage district, to be necessary or useful for the drainage of lands in the district, and shall levy
                  a tax upon the lands in the drainage district, subject to the approval of the county legislative body,
                  as provided in this part.
                      (3) The board of [supervisors] trustees and their successors in office shall[: (a)] constitute
                  the corporate authorities of the drainage district[;].
                      [(b) exercise the functions conferred upon them by law;]
                      [(c) be entitled to enter immediately upon the duties of their respective offices upon
                  qualifying in accordance with law; and]
                      [(d) hold such offices, respectively, until their successors are appointed and have qualified.]

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                      (4) (a) The provisions of Title 17B, Chapter 2, Part 4, Board of Trustees, apply to each
                  drainage district to the same extent as if the drainage district were a local district under Title 17B,
                  Chapter 2, Local Districts.
                      (b) (i) If a change in the number of board of trustees members is necessary to comply with
                  the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-402 (1), the board of trustees may by majority vote,
                  notwithstanding Subsection 17B-2-402 (3), change the number of board members to the next odd
                  number higher or lower than the number of current board members.
                      (ii) If a change under Subsection (4)(b)(i) decreases the number of board members, the
                  change may not take effect until the expiration of the term of the member whose term next expires.
                      (iii) If a change in the number of board members necessitated by Subsection 17B-2-402 (1)
                  would cause the district to violate a provision of bonds issued by the district, the number of board
                  members may be modified to the extent necessary to avoid a violation.
                      (c) (i) If a change in the expiration date of the term of a board of trustees member is
                  necessary to comply with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-403 (1), the term of each board
                  member whose term expires on a day other than the first Monday in January shall be extended to the
                  first Monday in January after the normal expiration date next following the special district election
                  date under Section 17A-1-305 .
                      (ii) If a change in the length of the term of a board of trustees member is necessary to comply
                  with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-403 (2), the change may not take effect until the expiration
                  of the term of the member whose term length is to be changed.
                      Section 8. Section 17A-2-509 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-509. Board to appoint engineer -- Contract with United States -- Eminent
                  domain -- Power to obtain water.
                      [Within 30 days after their appointment and qualification, the supervisors shall meet and
                  organize as a board, and elect a president, a secretary and a treasurer from among their own number.
                  Each of such officers shall hold office during the pleasure of the board. The board of supervisors]
                      (1) The board of trustees shall appoint a competent engineer and fix [his compensation and
                  shall have power to adopt a code of bylaws governing the conduct of the business and affairs of the

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                  district as a corporation in connection with its association with individuals and corporations in and
                  outside of the district, and regulating the use by outsiders of its drainage system. It shall also have
                  the power to make and execute all necessary contracts, to employ and appoint such agents, officers
                  and employees as may be required, prescribe their duties, and generally to perform such acts as shall
                  be necessary fully to carry out the purposes of this part. The board shall also have power to invest
                  the funds accumulated for the purpose of retiring bonds, in government bonds, bonds of the state of
                  Utah, or of the public schools of Utah. The board shall also have power to] the engineer's
                  compensation.
                      (2) The board may enter into any obligation or contract with the United States under any act
                  of Congress now enacted, or which may hereafter be enacted, and the rules and regulations
                  established thereunder, for the construction or operation and maintenance of the drainage system, or
                  any drainage works, or for the assumption as principal or guarantor of indebtedness to the United
                  States on account of district lands.
                      (3) The board and its agents and employees [shall likewise have the right to] may enter upon
                  any lands to make surveys, and may locate the necessary drainage canal or canals, and the necessary
                  branches of the same, on any lands which may be [deemed] considered best for such location. [It
                  shall have the right]
                      (4) The board may also [to] acquire, on behalf of [said] the district, by purchase or
                  condemnation or other legal means, all lands and other property necessary for the construction, use,
                  maintenance, repair, and improvement of [said] a canal or canals, drains and works constructed
                  (including canals, drains, or drain ditches being constructed) by private owners, and all necessary
                  appurtenances.
                      (5) In case of necessity for condemnation proceedings the board shall proceed in the
                  corporate name of the district under the provisions of the law relating to eminent domain.
                      (6) Drainage districts organized under the provisions of this part may appropriate water for
                  useful and beneficial purposes, may regulate and control, for the benefit of the landholders within the
                  district, all water developed, appropriated, or owned by it, and may appropriate, use, purchase,
                  develop, sell and convey water and water rights in the same manner and for the same use and

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                  purposes as any corporation, association, or person.
                      Section 9. Section 17A-2-511 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-511. Duties of secretary.
                      [It shall be the duty of the]
                      The secretary [to] shall:
                      (1) attend meetings of the board[, to];
                      (2) keep an accurate journal of its proceedings[, to];
                      (3) have the care and custody of its records and papers not otherwise provided for[, to]; and
                      (4) countersign warrants drawn upon the treasurer[, and to prepare and submit to the board
                  an annual statement, under oath, of receipts and disbursements during the year ending December 31.
                  The secretary shall receive for his services such compensation as the board of supervisors may
                  determine].
                      Section 10. Section 17A-2-512 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-512. Qualification and duties of treasurer.
                      [The treasurer shall subscribe to the oath of office, and when required by the board of
                  supervisors shall give a bond to the district with sufficient sureties and in such sum as the board may
                  require, the oath and bond to be approved by the board and filed with its secretary. ] The treasurer
                  shall prepare and submit in writing to the board an annual and a monthly report of receipts and
                  disbursements, and pay out money only upon a warrant signed by the [president] chair, and
                  countersigned by [the secretary. He] another officer other than the treasurer. The treasurer shall
                  likewise perform such other duties as the board may require[, and shall receive for his services an
                  amount to be determined by the board].
                      Section 11. Section 17A-2-514 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-514. Employment of assistants.
                      The board of [supervisors] trustees may employ such clerks and assistants as may be
                  necessary.
                      Section 12. Section 17A-2-529 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-529. Procedure for annexation -- Petition -- Appeals by persons aggrieved _

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                  Recordation and filing of order.
                      (1) A contiguous area lying contiguous to a drainage district may be annexed to the drainage
                  district as provided in this section.
                      (2) Annexation proceedings may be initiated by a petition filed with the clerk of the county:
                      (a) in which the drainage district is located, if within one county; or
                      (b) in which the greatest portion of the drainage district is located, if within more than one
                  county.
                      (3) The petition under Subsection (2) shall be:
                      (a) signed by 2/3 of the owners of real property in the area proposed to be annexed and the
                  owners of at least 2/3 of the total land area within the area; and
                      (b) accompanied by an accurate plat or map of the area proposed to be annexed.
                      (4) Upon receipt of a petition under Subsection (2), the county clerk shall deliver the petition
                  to the county legislative body.
                      (5) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (10), at its next regular meeting after receipt of the
                  petition the county legislative body shall fix a time and place for the hearing of the petition.
                      (b) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (10), the county legislative body shall give notice
                  of the hearing by:
                      (A) serving a copy of the notice, map, and petition upon the board of [supervisors] trustees
                  of the drainage district at least 15 days prior to the time set for the hearing; and
                      (B) publishing the notice at least once each week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper
                  having general circulation in the county or counties in which such drainage district is situated.
                      (ii) The first publication of the notice under Subsection (5)(b)(i) shall not be less than 15 days
                  nor more than 30 days prior to the date set for the hearing.
                      (iii) The notice shall state generally the nature of the petition, the purpose of the hearing, the
                  time and place when the county legislative body shall hear the petition, and that any owner of real
                  property within the drainage district may appear and oppose the petition.
                      (6) (a) At the hearing of the petition:
                      (i) the petitioners or any interested party may appear in support of the petition;

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                      (ii) the board of [supervisors] trustees or any landowner within the drainage district may
                  appear and oppose the petition; and
                      (iii) the petitioners and contestants may offer any competent evidence in regard to the
                  petition.
                      (b) The county legislative body may adjourn the hearing from time to time not exceeding four
                  weeks.
                      (c) The county legislative body shall:
                      (i) hear and determine whether the petition contains the signatures of 2/3 of the owners of
                  real property within the area sought to be annexed and the owners of at least 2/3 of the total land area
                  within the area sought to be annexed; and
                      (ii) hear all competent evidence offered for or against the petition.
                      (7) (a) If the county legislative body, after hearing all competent evidence offered for and
                  against the petition, finds that the petition has not been signed as required in this section, or that it
                  would be inequitable to the landowners within the drainage district to permit such annexation, the
                  county legislative body shall dismiss the petition at the cost of the petitioners.
                      (b) If the county legislative body finds that the petition has been signed as required in this
                  section and that the annexation will not be inequitable to the landowners within the drainage district,
                  the county legislative body shall so find.
                      (c) After hearing all of the evidence offered for or against the petition, the county legislative
                  body shall determine whether or not the area shall be annexed to the drainage district and shall so
                  order.
                      (d) The county legislative body's findings and order shall be conclusive upon the owners of
                  real property within the area that they have assented to the inclusion of their property within the
                  boundaries of the drainage district and that they have accepted all the provisions of this part.
                      (e) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (7)(e)(ii), the county legislative body, in making an
                  order annexing an area to the drainage district, may make such changes in the proposed new
                  boundaries of the drainage district caused by the annexation as the county legislative body considers
                  proper.

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                      (ii) Notwithstanding Subsection (7)(e)(i), the county legislative body may not modify the new
                  boundaries so as to exclude any land included in the new boundaries which is susceptible to drainage
                  by the system of drainage works applicable to the other lands annexed to the district pursuant to the
                  petition.
                      (8) (a) Any person aggrieved by an order of annexation may, at any time within 30 days after
                  the entry of the order, appeal to the district court of the county in which the district is situated.
                      (b) The procedure in an appeal shall conform to the Civil Code as nearly as may be.
                      (9) (a) The county legislative body shall:
                      (i) cause a copy of the order of annexation, duly certified, to be filed for record in the office
                  of the county recorder of each county in which any portion of the annexed area is situated; and
                      (ii) immediately file a copy of the order of annexation with the county clerk of each county
                  in which any portion of the district lies.
                      (b) Upon the recording and filing of the order of annexation, the area annexed shall be a part
                  of the drainage district.
                      (10) (a) Notwithstanding Subsections (5), (6), and (7), the county legislative body shall order
                  the area annexed to the drainage district if:
                      (i) the petition filed under Subsection (2) contains the signatures of all the owners of real
                  property within the area proposed to be annexed; and
                      (ii) the county legislative body determines that the petition is supported by the board of
                  [supervisors] trustees of the drainage district.
                      (b) The determination of owners under Subsection (10)(a)(i) shall be according to the last
                  assessment roll for county taxes completed prior to the filing of the petition under Subsection (2).
                      Section 13. Section 17A-2-530 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-530. Viewing of annexed land by board of trustees -- Assessment for taxation
                  -- Board of equalization -- Hearing -- Notice -- Lien for taxes.
                      (1) The board of [supervisors] trustees shall, as soon as practicable after the recording of the
                  order of annexation:
                      (a) view each tract of land so annexed to the district;

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                      (b) carefully consider all the damages and benefits that each particular tract of land shall
                  receive from the annexation to the drainage district and from the construction and maintenance of
                  such drainage system; and
                      (c) assess each tract of land in accordance with the benefits to be received by it, making
                  proper allowance for damage, if there be any.
                      (2) After the assessment under Subsection (1) is made, the secretary of the board of
                  [supervisors] trustees shall transmit the assessment to the county legislative body.
                      (3) (a) The county legislative body shall:
                      (i) at its next regular meeting fix a time and place where it shall sit as a board of equalization
                  and equalize and determine the benefits and taxes to be assessed against the land; and
                      (ii) except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), publish a notice of the board of equalization
                  hearing at least once each week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation
                  in the county or counties where the drainage district is situated.
                      (b) If the annexation resulted from a petition signed by all the owners of real property within
                  the annexed area whose addresses were included in the petition, the county legislative body may, in
                  lieu of the notice under Subsection (3)(a)(ii), give notice of the board of equalization hearing by
                  mailing a copy of the notice to each owner of real property at the address stated in the petition.
                      (c) (i) The first publication of the notice required under Subsection (3)(a)(ii) shall not be less
                  than 15 days or more than 30 days prior to the date of the hearing.
                      (ii) If the residence or post office address of an owner of the lands so annexed is known, the
                  county clerk shall cause a copy of the notice and a copy of the proposed benefits to be sent by United
                  States mail to the landowner at least 15 days prior to the time fixed for the hearing.
                      (d) The notice shall state generally the purpose of the hearing and the time and place where
                  the county legislative body shall meet as a board of equalization to hear and determine any complaint
                  against the assessments.
                      (4) (a) The county legislative body, at the time and place stated in the notice, shall sit as a
                  board of equalization and shall make and determine the benefits to be assessed against each tract of
                  annexed land.

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                      (b) The assessment of benefits shall be added to and made a part of the benefit assessment
                  roll of the drainage district, and thereafter:
                      (i) all such lands, easements, or interests in land shall be assessed in accordance with the
                  assessment roll; and
                      (ii) such assessment roll of benefits and taxes shall be the basis of a lien upon the parcels of
                  land or interest in land as thus equalized for all district purposes and indebtedness.
                      Section 14. Section 17A-2-531 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-531. Bids for construction -- Contracts -- Payment and performance bonds --
                  Retainage.
                      (1) After adopting a plan and making an estimate of the cost of any drainage canal or canals,
                  drains, drain ditches, and works, the board of [supervisors] trustees shall give notice by publication
                  for at least 20 days in at least one newspaper published or having a general circulation in each of the
                  counties comprising the district, and in any other publication they deem advisable, calling for bids for
                  the construction of such work or of any portion of it. If less than the whole work is advertised, then
                  the portion so advertised shall be particularly described in such notice. Such notice shall state:
                      (a) that plans and specifications can be seen at the office of the board of [supervisors]
                  trustees;
                      (b) that the board of [supervisors] trustees will receive sealed proposals for the work;
                      (c) that the contract will be let to the lowest responsible bidder; and
                      (d) the time and place appointed for opening bids. The bids shall be opened in public, and
                  as soon as convenient thereafter the [supervisors] trustees shall let the work, either in portions or as
                  a whole, to the lowest responsible bidder, or they may reject any or all bids. Contracts for the
                  purchase of material shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. Any person or persons to
                  whom a contract is awarded shall provide the board with bonds under Sections 14-1-18 and
                  63-56-38 . The work shall be done under the direction and to the satisfaction of the engineer, and
                  subject to the approval of the board of [supervisors] trustees. This section does not apply in the case
                  of any contract with the United States.
                      (2) If any payment on a contract with a private contractor for the construction of works

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                  under this section is retained or withheld, it shall be retained or withheld and released as provided in
                  Section 13-8-5 .
                      Section 15. Section 17A-2-532 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-532. Debt limitation.
                      The board of [supervisors] trustees or other officers of the district shall have no power to
                  incur any debt or liability whatever, either by issuing bonds or otherwise, in excess of the express
                  provisions of this part. A debt or liability incurred in excess of provisions of this part shall be and
                  remain absolutely void, except that for the purposes of organization or for the purposes of this part
                  the board of [supervisors] trustees may, before the collection of the first annual taxes, cause warrants
                  of the district to issue, bearing interest not exceeding 8% per annum. The limit of the fund for such
                  purposes shall be an amount the equivalent of an average of $1.50 per acre throughout the district,
                  and it shall be the duty of the board of [supervisors] trustees, in the preparation of the first annual
                  budget, to make provision for the payment of all such warrants and the interest thereon. To meet
                  such expenses, or to cover delinquencies in any annual tax, or in anticipation of the collection of
                  taxes, the board of [supervisors] trustees may incur indebtedness by borrowing money or otherwise,
                  not exceeding the taxes for the current year, and as evidence of such indebtedness may issue warrants
                  or negotiable notes of the district payable in not more than one year from date thereof, and bearing
                  interest not exceeding 8% per annum. Any such indebtedness permitted by this section shall in no
                  sense be the personal obligation of the board of [supervisors] trustees, but shall constitute a lien upon
                  the lands embraced within [said] the drainage district until paid.
                      Section 16. Section 17A-2-533 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-533. Board to report -- Public hearing -- Removal from office for failure --
                  Notices.
                      (1) The board of [supervisors] trustees shall report as required in Title 17A, Chapter 1, Part
                  5, Submission of Budgets and Audit Reports.
                      (2) (a) After filing the report, the board of [supervisors] trustees shall:
                      (i) call an annual meeting of the owners of land in the district; and
                      (ii) give notice of the time and place of the meeting by posting notices in four different public

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                  places within the district at least ten days before the holding of the annual meeting.
                      (b) The board shall:
                      (i) hold the annual meeting at the time and place stated in the notice;
                      (ii) present the budget and a report of the district's operation; and
                      (iii) conduct any other business.
                      (c) The [president] chair of the board of [supervisors] trustees shall act as [chairman] chair
                  of the annual meeting.
                      Section 17. Section 17A-2-534 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-534. Public uses -- Right of entry on lands -- Prohibitions.
                      (1) The use of any canal, ditch, or the like, created under the provisions of this part, shall be
                  [deemed] considered a public use and for a public benefit.
                      (2) (a) The [supervisors] trustees or their representatives from the time of their appointment
                  may go upon the lands lying within [said] the district for the purpose of examining the same, and
                  making surveys, and after the organization of [said] the district and payment or tender of
                  compensation allowed, may go upon [said] those lands with their servants, teams, tools, instruments,
                  or other equipment, for the purpose of constructing such proposed work, and may forever thereafter
                  enter upon [said] those lands[, as aforesaid,] for the purpose of maintaining or repairing such
                  proposed work, doing no more damage than the necessity of the occasion may require[, any].
                      (b) Any person or persons who [shall] willfully [prevent or prohibit] prevents or prohibits any
                  of such persons from entering such lands for the purpose [aforesaid] stated in Subsection (2)(a) shall
                  be [deemed] considered guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction be fined any sum not exceeding
                  $25 per day for each day's hindrance, which sum shall be paid into the county treasury for the use of
                  [said] the district.
                      Section 18. Section 17A-2-535 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-535. Validation of organization proceedings -- Notice of proposed corrections,
                  amendments, or changes in assessment of benefits -- Hearing by county legislative body of
                  report of board of supervisors -- Board of equalization -- Increase of drainage benefits and
                  taxes -- Lien.

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                      Whenever it [shall appear] appears to the board of [supervisors] trustees that any proceedings
                  for the organization of a drainage district have not been strictly in compliance with law, or if any lands
                  within the district have been erroneously assessed for benefits or taxes, or inequitably assessed for
                  benefits or taxes, or that any assessment of damages or benefits under this part has been made in error
                  as to description, ownership, or acreage intended to be assessed, or if it [shall appear] appears to such
                  board of [supervisors] trustees that the assessment of benefits has been inequitably distributed among
                  the various parcels of land, or unjustly equalized as between the various parcels of land within the
                  district, or that any tract of land, easement or interest in land, public, or private road, railroad or
                  railroad right-of-way, has been included in, or omitted from, any assessment roll of benefits or taxes
                  by reason of clerical error or otherwise, or that proper notice or notices as required by law has not
                  or have not been given, such noncompliance, error, omission or want of notice shall not invalidate
                  such organization, neither shall any such assessments of benefits or taxes be lost to the district in case
                  of any omission, nor shall the board of [supervisors] trustees and the county legislative body be held
                  to have lost jurisdiction to correct such error or omission, or to readjust such assessments of benefits
                  or to redistribute such assessment of benefits upon the various parcels of land and interest in lands
                  within such district, and to justly equalize the same as between various parcels of land and interest
                  in lands within the district, but the board of [supervisors] trustees of such district may report any such
                  conditions and recommend such corrections and changes as such board of [supervisors may deem]
                  trustees considers necessary to remedy the same; and upon receiving such report and recommendation
                  the [said] county legislative body may make such corrections, amendments or changes in the
                  assessment rolls of benefits and taxes, or correct any error, omission, mistake, inequality or want of
                  sufficient notice, as may be just; provided, that when any correction, amendment or change is sought
                  to be made, notice of such proposed correction, amendment or change in the assessment of benefits
                  and taxes shall be given to all persons affected thereby, in the following manner:
                      The board of [supervisors] trustees of the drainage district shall file with the clerk of the
                  county legislative body of the county wherein the drainage district is located, a verified report
                  containing the proposed corrections, amendments, and/or changes in the assessments of benefits and
                  taxes with their recommendation with respect thereto, to the county legislative body. The county

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                  legislative body shall, at its first meeting thereafter, fix a time and place for a hearing on [said] the
                  report and shall cause a notice of the hearing thereon to be published three times if in a daily
                  newspaper, twice if in a semiweekly newspaper and once if in a weekly newspaper, not less than 15
                  days before [said] the hearing, and when the residence or post-office address of any landowner,
                  whose assessment of benefits or taxes is to be corrected, amended or changed is known the clerk of
                  the county legislative body shall cause a copy of the notice to be sent by United States mail to such
                  landowner, not less than 15 days before the time fixed for the hearing on the report. The notice shall
                  state generally the purpose of the hearing and the time and place where the county legislative body
                  shall meet as a board of equalization to hear and determine any complaint made against such report,
                  corrections, amendments and changes in the assessment roll of benefits and taxes.
                      The county legislative body at the time and place fixed in the notice shall sit as a board of
                  equalization and it shall make and finally determine such corrections, amendments and changes in the
                  roll of assessment of benefits and taxes, as it shall determine after such hearing, and thereafter all such
                  lands, easements or interest in lands shall be assessed in accordance with the assessment roll as thus
                  corrected, amended, or changed; and such changed assessment roll of benefits and taxes shall be the
                  basis of lien upon the parcels of land or interest in land, as corrected, amended or changed, for all
                  district indebtedness. Whenever it shall be made to appear to the board of [supervisors] trustees of
                  the drainage district that any owner or operator of any land within the drainage district has so
                  changed the use of such land so as to increase the benefits received by such land by reason of the
                  construction, maintenance, and operation of the drainage system, the board of [supervisors] trustees
                  of the drainage district shall view each tract of such land and shall carefully consider the increased
                  benefits such tract of land is receiving from the construction, maintenance and operation of the
                  drainage system and shall assess such tract of land in accordance with the increased benefits received
                  by it. After such assessment is made, the secretary of the board of [supervisors] trustees shall transmit
                  the same to the county legislative body and the county legislative body shall within 15 days after
                  receipt thereof, cause not less than 15 days notice to be sent by mail to each landowner in the district
                  whose benefits have thus been increased, showing the amount of the benefits as thus increased on the
                  land owned by the landowner within the district; and stating therein the time and place where the

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                  county legislative body shall meet as a board of equalization to hear and determine complaints made
                  against such increased assessments. At such hearing any landowner upon whose lands the benefits
                  are thus increased may appear and oppose such increase or any part thereof. The county legislative
                  body shall sit as a board of equalization of the increased drainage benefits and taxes, and shall
                  equalize and determine the assessment of benefits and taxes to be made and levied upon such tract
                  of land within the district. Such increased assessment of benefits shall be the basis of a lien upon such
                  lands within the district for all district indebtedness and taxes.
                      Section 19. Section 17A-2-536 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-536. Compensation -- Conflict of interest -- Penalties.
                      Any engineer employed under the provisions of this part shall receive such compensation as
                  shall be fixed and determined by the board of [supervisors. Each member of the board of supervisors
                  shall receive as compensation a sum not to exceed $6 per diem and actual expenses incurred in the
                  performance of his duty] trustees. The salaries and all costs and expenses of the district shall be paid
                  by the order of the board of [supervisors] trustees out of the district treasury from drainage funds
                  collected for that purpose upon warrants drawn by the secretary and signed by the [president. No
                  supervisor] chair. No trustee or any officer named in this part shall in any manner be financially
                  interested directly or indirectly in any contract awarded or to be awarded by the board, or in the
                  profits to be derived therefrom; nor shall receive any bond, gratuity or bribe; and for any violation of
                  this provision such officer shall be [deemed] considered guilty of a felony and upon conviction
                  therefor [he] shall forfeit [his] the officer's office and be punished by a fine not exceeding $5,000, or
                  by imprisonment in the penitentiary for a term of not less than one or more than five years.
                      Section 20. Section 17A-2-537 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-537. Appointment of trustee -- Vacancy -- No more than two trustees from same
                  county in multicounty district.
                      (1) The county legislative body shall appoint [supervisors] trustees and fill vacancies by
                  following the procedures and requirements of Title 17A, Chapter 1, Part 3, Special District Board
                  Selection Procedures.
                      (2) If the lands in the drainage district are situated in different counties, not more than two

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                  of the members of the board of [supervisors] trustees shall be from any one of those counties.
                      Section 21. Section 17A-2-540 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-540. Right-of-way -- Highways and railroads may be assessed -- Assessment of
                  governmental units.
                      (1) The board of [supervisors shall have the right to] trustees may use any part of the
                  right-of-way of any public highway, road or street, for the purpose of the work to be done, provided
                  such use will not permanently destroy or materially impair such public highway, road or street for
                  public use[; and if].
                      (2) (a) If in the judgment of the board of [supervisors] trustees any public highway, road or
                  street, or any railroad right-of-way or any part of the same is or will be [benefited] benefitted by the
                  drainage canals and works to be constructed[,]:
                      (i) or that have been constructed, benefits and taxes shall be assessed and equalized against
                  such public highway, road, street, or railroad right-of-way in the same manner as against lands in
                  private ownership within the district and such public highways, roads and streets and railroad rights
                  of way are in all respect subject to the provisions of the drainage laws of this state; and
                      (ii) the state, county, city or town having control of such public highway, road or street or
                  the owner of such railroad right-of-way shall pay the taxes assessed and equalized against the same
                  irrespective of whether or not it owns the fee simple title to the land covered by such highway, road
                  or street, or railroad right-of-way[; provided however that].
                      (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (2)(a), the state shall not be required to pay any such taxes
                  for the years prior to 1955.
                      Section 22. Section 17A-2-541 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-541. Bridges and culverts across highways and railroads.
                      (1) The board of [supervisors is hereby authorized and empowered to] trustees may make
                  all necessary bridges and culverts across or under any public highway or railroad right-of-way, to
                  enable it to construct and maintain any canal, drain, or ditch necessary to be constructed as a part of
                  the drainage system of such district, such bridges or culverts to be paid for by the drainage district[;
                  provided, however, that].

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                      (2) (a) Before the board exercises the power granted in Subsection (1), notice shall first be
                  given by such board of [supervisors] trustees to railway authorities empowered to build or construct
                  bridges and culverts, and the railway company shall be allowed 30 days to build such bridges or
                  culverts, at its own expense, if it should so desire, according to its own plans[; provided, that such].
                      (b) Such bridges or culverts shall be [so] constructed by railway authorities so as not to
                  interfere with the free and unobstructed flow of water, passing through the canal or drain, and shall
                  be placed at such points as are indicated by the drainage engineer.
                      Section 23. Section 17A-2-543 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-543. Contractual powers -- Bond issues -- Elections -- Limitations -- Uses.
                      Whenever the board of [supervisors deem ] trustees considers it expedient it shall have power,
                  for the purpose of constructing drains, drainage canals and other required improvements necessary
                  to drain lands in [said] the district or conserve the public health or welfare, to make a contract or
                  contracts with the United States providing for the repayment of the principal and such other sums due
                  thereunder at such times as may be agreed upon, or to issue bonds of the district to run not less than
                  five years nor more than 40 years, and to bear interest, payable semiannually, at a rate not exceeding
                  8% per annum to be called "drainage district bonds," which [said] bonds shall not be sold for less than
                  90% of their par value, and the proceeds of which shall be used for no other purpose than paying the
                  cost of constructing such drains, drainage canals, or other like work [deemed] considered necessary
                  to drain lands within [said] the district, or conserve the public health or welfare. Before such contract
                  or contracts shall be made or bonds shall be issued, the board of [supervisors] trustees shall request
                  the county legislative body to order, and the county legislative body shall at once order a special
                  election on the question of the issuance of bonds. The persons authorized to vote in, the giving of
                  notice, the forms of ballots, and the manner of holding the election, and canvassing the results of the
                  election, shall be as provided in the Utah Municipal Bond Act. The expenses of such election shall
                  be paid out of the funds belonging to [said] the drainage district. The terms and times of payment of
                  the bonds so issued shall be fixed by the board of [supervisors. Said] trustees. The bonds shall be
                  issued for the benefit of the district authorizing [said] the issue and shall bear the name and number
                  of [said] the district. The board of [supervisors] trustees shall keep a record of the bonds issued and

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                  sold or otherwise disposed of, and such record will also show the lands embraced in [said] the district.
                  In no case shall the amount of bonds exceed the benefits assessed. Each bond issued shall show
                  expressly upon its face that it is to be paid by a tax assessed, levied, and collected on the lands within
                  the drainage district. [Said] The board of [supervisors] trustees shall, by resolution, provide for the
                  issuance and disposal of such bonds and for the payment of the interest thereon, the creation of a
                  sinking fund for the ultimate redemption thereof, and for the date and manner of the redemption of
                  [said] the bonds. [Said] The board of supervisors may sell or dispose of [said] the bonds either at
                  public or private sale. Before making any such sale, either private or public, the board of [supervisors]
                  trustees shall give due notice of their intention to sell or dispose of [said] the bonds, by publishing
                  notice of sale at least once a week for four consecutive weeks in some newspaper having general
                  circulation in the state [of Utah] and in the county where [said] the district is situated, and by
                  publishing in any other publication they [may deem] consider advisable. The notice shall state that
                  sealed proposals will be received by the board of [supervisors] trustees at their office, for the
                  purchase of the bonds, until the day and hour fixed by the board of [supervisors] trustees. At the time
                  appointed the board of [supervisors] trustees shall open the proposals, and award the purchase of the
                  bonds to the highest responsible bidder, or may reject all bids. In case no bid is made and accepted
                  as above provided, the board of [supervisors] trustees is hereby authorized to use [said] the bonds
                  for the construction of any ditches, drain or drains, drainage canal or drainage canals, or any other
                  required improvement [deemed] considered necessary to drain lands or for the public health or
                  welfare.
                      Section 24. Section 17A-2-544 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-544. Bonds -- Lien on land and improvements.
                      Whenever any such drainage district bonds [shall be] are issued, or contract with the United
                  States made, in accordance with the provisions of this part, such bonds or contract, shall constitute
                  a lien upon all of the lands and improvements thereon within the boundaries of the district, to the
                  extent of the total benefits, assessed and equalized, and pledged for such purpose, and not in excess
                  thereof, and the board of [supervisors] trustees of [said] the district shall from time to time, as by this
                  part provided, levy a sufficient tax to pay the annual interest charge on such bonds, and in addition

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                  thereto, such an amount as a sinking fund which shall, in the course of events and ultimately, amount
                  to a sufficient sum to redeem [said] the bonds, or in case of contract with the United States, shall levy
                  a sufficient tax to meet all payments due, or to become due thereunder, and in addition thereto, a
                  sufficient tax to pay the interest or penalties on any delinquent payment or payments, as provided in
                  [said] the contract or as required by the statutes of the United States.
                      Section 25. Section 17A-2-545 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-545. Bond issue -- Statement attached.
                      Each bond issue as provided for by Section 17A-2-543 , shall be signed by the [president] chair
                  and secretary of the said board of [supervisors] trustees, and be attested by the county clerk, and
                  [said] the clerk shall also make a certified statement thereon, affixing [his] the clerk's seal of office
                  thereto, of the total amount of the assessment of benefits pledged for the payment of [said] the bonds
                  and other bonds, if any, issued; the date, number, denomination, and time due of all bonds issued;
                  when the assessment of benefits was confirmed by the county legislative body, and the number of
                  acres of land in the district against which [said] the assessments were made.
                      Section 26. Section 17A-2-546 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-546. Organization of districts in cities or towns.
                      For the purpose of organizing a drainage district, which is wholly within the limits of any
                  incorporated city or town, a like procedure may be followed within such city or town; the petition
                  for organization may be presented to the town board, city council or commissioners; and city or town
                  officers, who exercise functions similar or equivalent to the functions of the respective county officers
                  named in this part, shall exercise the same functions with respect to the organization, administration
                  and control of such district, and shall have the same powers in all respects, as such similar or
                  equivalent county officers, with respect to the appointment, qualification and removal of district
                  [supervisors] trustees, the giving of notices, the holding of hearings, issuing of proclamations, fixing
                  boundaries, calling district elections, equalizing assessments of benefits and taxes, certifying bond
                  issues, and doing such other acts or things as will put into effect the provisions of this part in any such
                  district within such city or town, and so as to give to any such city or town, and the officers thereof,
                  the same powers and duties as are had and exercised by a county, and the county officers; provided

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                  that, except as varied to meet the requirements of this section, all other provisions of this part shall
                  govern any such district organized pursuant to this section.
                      Section 27. Section 17A-2-547 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-547. Refunding bonds -- Time limit.
                      Any bond or bonds heretofore or hereafter issued by any drainage district may be refunded
                  at any time by such drainage district when a lower rate of interest or better terms can be obtained,
                  or to provide means for the payment of maturing bonds. Such refunding bonds may be issued by
                  resolution of the board of [supervisors] trustees without an election, and may be sold by the board
                  in such manner and on such terms as it may [deem] consider for the best interests of the district.
                  Payment of such refunding bonds shall be provided for in the same manner as the bonds so refunded,
                  and all statutory and other liens and rights existing under the original issue shall extend to and apply
                  to [said] the refunding bond; provided, that refunding bonds shall mature in not exceeding 40 years
                  from date of issue.
                      Section 28. Section 17A-2-548 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-548. Duties of trustees -- Equalizations.
                      (1) The board of [supervisors] trustees shall, as soon as may be, view each tract of land
                  within the district, and shall carefully consider all of the damages and benefits that each particular
                  tract of land will receive from the construction and maintenance of such drainage system, and assess
                  each tract of land in accordance with the benefits to be received by it, making proper allowance for
                  damage, if there be any.
                      (2) After such assessment is made up, the secretary of the board of [supervisors] trustees
                  shall transmit the same to the county legislative body and the county legislative body shall within 15
                  days after receipt thereof, cause not less than 15 days' notice to be sent by mail to each landowner
                  in the district of the amount of benefits assessed upon the land owned by him within the district; and
                  stating therein the time and place where the county legislative body shall meet as a board of
                  equalization to hear and determine complaints made against such assessments.
                      (3) The county legislative body shall sit as a board of equalization of drainage district benefits
                  and taxes, and shall equalize and finally determine the assessments of benefits and taxes to be made

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                  and levied upon each tract of land within the district. Such assessments of benefits shall be the basis
                  of liens upon the lands within the district for all district indebtedness.
                      Section 29. Section 17A-2-549 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-549. Estimates for construction -- Debts -- Sinking fund -- Levy.
                      The board of [supervisors] trustees shall, on or before the first Monday in March of each year,
                  prepare a statement and estimate of the amount of money to be raised by taxation within [said] the
                  district for the purpose of constructing canals, drains, drain ditches, and other works, and maintaining
                  the same; liquidating district warrants and notes and paying interest thereon, paying the interest on
                  the bonded indebtedness of the district; creating a sinking fund for redeeming such bonds; meeting
                  all payments due or to become due under any contract between the district and the United States; and
                  for the purpose of maintaining and repairing drainage canals, flumes, and conduits, bridges, culverts
                  and other works within [said] the district; and for the management and control of such drainage
                  system; and shall levy the entire amount required in each year against the lands within [said] the
                  district in proportion to the equalized benefits and after adding [15 per cent] 15% of each amount to
                  the respective assessments to provide for incidentals and possible delinquencies, shall certify the same
                  to the county assessor of the county within which such district is located.
                      Section 30. Section 17A-2-550 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-550. Addition of delinquent taxes in case of contract with the United States.
                      In case of contract with the United States government, the board of [supervisors] trustees may
                  add to such statement and estimate as provided for in Section 17A-2-549 , a sufficient amount to
                  cover any deficit due the United States that may have resulted from nonpayment of delinquent taxes
                  or assessments for any preceding year; and provided further that in the case of contract with the
                  United States government it may be provided by contract between the district and the United States,
                  that assessments shall conform to the requirements of the federal reclamation laws now enacted or
                  which may hereafter be enacted, and particularly the Act of December 5, 1924, Public Law No. 292;
                  and that assessments may thereafter be made accordingly.
                      Section 31. Section 17A-2-551 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-551. Attendance of officials.

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                      The county legislative body, when sitting as a board of equalization of drainage district
                  benefits, may require the presence of the board of [supervisors] trustees and the engineer of the
                  drainage district. If the drainage district be in more than one county, the [supervisor or supervisors]
                  trustee or trustees resident within the county may be required to attend.
                      Section 32. Section 17A-2-552 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-552. Drainage district taxes.
                      [It shall be the duty of the] The county assessor [to] shall place upon the assessment roll
                  drainage district taxes as certified by the board of [supervisors. It shall be the duty of the] trustees.
                  The county treasurer [to] shall collect such taxes at the same time and in the same manner that the
                  county taxes are collected, and pay the same to the treasurer of the board of [supervisors] trustees
                  as soon as moneys are received [by him. It shall be the further duty of the]. The county treasurer
                  shall, after the first day of December and prior to the last day of December of each year, [to] make
                  a written report to the treasurer of each drainage district located within the county, setting forth the
                  amount of taxes paid and the amount of delinquent taxes levied by the district for the current year,
                  and [given] giving in detail the names of delinquent landowners and the descriptions of lands upon
                  which such taxes are delinquent.
                      Section 33. Section 17A-2-553 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-553. Taxes considered lien -- Sale of property -- Time of redemption -- Notice
                  -- Penalty -- Record.
                      All drainage taxes levied and assessed under the provisions of this title shall attach to and
                  become a lien on the real property assessed from and after the second Monday in March. Drainage
                  taxes shall become due and delinquent at the same time, and shall be collected by the same officers
                  and in the same manner and at the same time as state and county taxes, and when collected shall be
                  paid to the treasurer of the board of [supervisors] trustees. The revenue laws of this state for the
                  assessment, levying and collecting of taxes on real estate for county purposes, except as herein
                  modified, shall be applicable for the purposes of this part, including the enforcement of penalties and
                  forfeiture for delinquent taxes; provided, that lands sold for delinquent district taxes shall be sold
                  separately for such tax and a separate certificate of sale shall issue therefor, and provided further that

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                  the period of redemption from sale for taxes under this part, shall be four years. At the same time and
                  in the same manner as the county treasurer publishes the delinquent tax list for state and county taxes
                  in each year, the county treasurer [must] shall publish a delinquent drainage tax list, which [must]
                  shall contain the names of the owners, when known and a description of the property delinquent or
                  subject to lien of drainage district taxes with the amount of taxes due exclusive of penalty. The
                  county treasurer [must] shall publish with such list a notice, each year, that unless the delinquent
                  drainage taxes, together with the penalty, are paid before the date for tax sales for state and county
                  taxes the real property upon which such taxes are a lien will be sold for taxes, penalty and costs,
                  beginning on [said] the date, at the front door of the county courthouse. The delinquent list shall be
                  published three times if in a daily newspaper, twice if in a semiweekly and once if in a weekly
                  newspaper. On the date for tax sales for state and county taxes each year, the county treasurer shall
                  expose for sale, between the hours of [ten] 10 a.m. and [three] 3 p.m. sufficient of all delinquent real
                  estate to pay the drainage district taxes, penalty and costs for which such real estate is liable, at public
                  auction, at the front door of the county courthouse, and sell the same to the highest responsible
                  bidder for cash, and the county treasurer shall continue to sell from day to day between such hours
                  until the property of all delinquents is exhausted or the taxes, penalty and costs are paid. In offering
                  such real estate for sale the treasurer shall offer the entire tract assessed, and the first bid received in
                  an amount sufficient to pay the taxes and costs shall be accepted unless a further bid in the same
                  amount for less than the entire tract shall be received; and the highest and best bid shall be construed
                  to mean the bid of that bidder who will pay the full amount of the taxes and costs for the smallest
                  undivided portion of [said] the real estate. After receiving a bid for the full amount of the taxes [and
                  costs it shall not be the duty of], the treasurer is not required to attempt to secure a higher bid, but
                  [he] shall accept it if made. The treasurer shall make a record of all sales of real property in a book
                  to be kept by [him] the treasurer for that purpose therein describing the several parcels of real
                  property on which the taxes and costs were paid by the purchasers, in the same order as the published
                  list of delinquent sales contained in the list of advertisements on file in [his] the treasurer's office.
                  Separate columns shall also be provided in [said] the record in which the treasurer shall enter the
                  description of any tract sold that is less than the entire tract on which the taxes are due, the date of

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                  sale, to whom sold, the penalty, and costs, and the date of redemption. The purchaser shall [be
                  required to] pay the penalty to the county treasurer, which penalty shall in all cases accrue to the
                  benefit of the drainage district. When all sales have been made the county treasurer shall file the
                  record in [his] the treasurer's office, in looseleaf bound form. [It shall be the duty of the] The county
                  treasurer [to] shall issue a receipt to any person paying drainage district taxes on an undivided interest
                  in real estate, showing the interest on which taxes are paid, and in case any portion of the drainage
                  district taxes on such real estate remains unpaid, [it shall be the duty of] the treasurer [to] shall sell
                  only such undivided interest in [said] the real estate as belongs to the co-owners who have not paid
                  their portion of the taxes. In absence or default of purchaser at any such public sale of drainage
                  district taxes, the drainage district in which taxes are delinquent shall become the purchaser and shall
                  receive from the county treasurer the tax sale certificate of the real property on which drainage
                  district taxes are delinquent upon the same terms upon which the county receives tax sales certificates
                  on sales for delinquent state and county taxes and shall hold the same in the same manner as an
                  individual may hold real property upon which state or county taxes are delinquent, subject to the same
                  rights of redemption. In all respects, a drainage district shall be the beneficiary of taxes assessed and
                  levied by it, provided, however, that county treasurer shall retain the costs and expense provided by
                  law for the advertisement, sale and redemption of drainage district taxes.
                      Section 34. Section 17A-2-555 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-555. Statement of indebtedness to be procured -- Fees -- Filing -- Discharge of
                  lien.
                      (1) Any person or persons, bank or banks, corporation or corporations or other organization
                  or any mortgagee or other lien holder desiring to pay the unpaid equalized drainage district benefit
                  assessments and/or taxes against any tract, lot or parcel of land in any drainage district may apply to
                  the secretary of the board of [supervisors] trustees of the drainage district for a written statement of
                  the unpaid amount of the same together with accrued interest thereon, and [it shall be the duty of]
                  the secretary of such drainage district [to] shall execute and deliver to such applicant, on payment of
                  a fee of $1, such a statement duly certified to under [his] the secretary's hand and the seal of the
                  district, and the applicant shall then present and file the same with the county treasurer of the county

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                  in which such tract, lot or parcel of land is located, and when so filed and when payment in full of the
                  unpaid amount of equalized drainage district benefit assessments and taxes is paid, either in lawful
                  money of the United States, or drainage district bonds, notes, warrants, or matured interest coupons
                  as herein provided, the county treasurer shall issue and deliver to such applicant a receipt in duplicate
                  for the amount of such payment, stating therein the amount paid and whether paid in lawful money
                  of the United States or in bonds, notes, warrants or matured interest coupons of the district, and upon
                  presentation and filing of one copy of such a receipt with the treasurer of the drainage district,
                  showing payment in full of the unpaid equalized benefit assessments and/or taxes against any such
                  tract, lot or parcel of land, [it shall be the duty of such] the drainage district [to] shall issue and                   deliver
                  to the person or persons, bank or banks, corporation or corporations or other organizations or to
                  such mortgagee or lien holder making such payment a written release and discharge releasing such
                  tract, lot or parcel of land from all other and further liability for the payment of any of the then
                  existing bonded indebtedness of the district or any bonds thereafter given to refund the same, or any
                  notes or warrants theretofore or that may thereafter be issued for the payment of any interest on such
                  bonds or such refunded bonds, and releasing and discharging [said] the land from any and all other
                  liability for the payment of the same or any part thereof, and releasing and discharging such tract, lot
                  or parcel of land from the payment of any of the unpaid equalized drainage district assessment of
                  benefits and taxes and from the lien of the benefit assessment roll as equalized and finally determined
                  by the county legislative body of the county in which such tract, lot or parcel of land is located[; and
                  such tract, lot or parcel of land shall not thereafter be assessed by such drainage district except for
                  the purposes of maintenance and supervision, provided, all assessments or taxes other than those
                  levied for payment of bond, interest or principal shall be payable only in lawful money of the United
                  States, or in warrants of the district issued within the same calendar year in which the warrants are
                  tendered].
                      (2) (a) Such tract, lot, or parcel of land may not thereafter be assessed by the drainage district
                  except for the purposes of maintenance and supervision.
                      (b) All assessments or taxes other than those levied for payment of bond, interest, or principal
                  shall be payable only in lawful money of the United States, or in warrants of the district issued within

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                  the same calendar year in which the warrants are tendered.
                      Section 35. Section 17A-2-556 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-556. Form of release and discharge.
                      Such release and discharge shall be substantially in the following form:
                      Release and discharge from liability for payment of the bonded indebtedness of ____ drainage
                  district in ____ county, Utah, and from the lien of the equalized assessment of benefits and taxes and
                  the benefit assessment roll.
                      Whereas, on the ____ day of ____, [19] 20 __, ____ (the owner, part owner, mortgagee or
                  other lien holders, as the case may be) paid to the county treasurer of ____ county, (in lawful money
                  of the United States, or bonds, notes, warrants or matured interest coupons of the district, as the case
                  may be) the sum of $____, being the total amount of the unpaid drainage district equalized
                  assessment of benefits and taxes levied and assessed against that certain tract, lot or parcel of land
                  located in ____ drainage district in ____ county, Utah, and particularly bounded and described as
                  follows, to wit: (Insert description of property) ____ and, ____.
                      Whereas, there is on file with the treasurer of this drainage district a receipt showing such
                  payment in full,
                      Now, Therefore, in consideration of such payment and pursuant to law, the undersigned
                  drainage district does by these presents release and discharge the above described tract, lot or parcel
                  of land from the lien of and from the payment of all of the bonded indebtedness now existing against
                  the same, and from the payment of any bonds now issued or that may hereafter be issued to refund
                  the same, or any part thereof, and from the payment of any notes or warrants of the district heretofore
                  issued or that may hereafter be issued in payment of interest on such indebtedness or refunded
                  indebtedness, and releases and discharges said tract, lot or parcel of land from the payment of any of
                  the unpaid equalized assessment of benefits and taxes levied or assessed against the same and from
                  the lien of the benefit assessment roll of said drainage district.
                      In Witness Whereof, the said drainage district has executed this instrument and caused its
                  corporate name and corporate seal to be hereunto affixed by its [president] chair and secretary this
                  ____ day of ____ [19] 20 __, pursuant to a resolution of its board of [supervisors] trustees.

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                      Attest:
________________________________

                 
(Name of drainage district.)

                 
By ______________,

                 
President

                  ______________
                  Secretary.
                      [Said] The written release and discharge may be acknowledged before any officer authorized
                  to take acknowledgments of deeds. The form of acknowledgment shall be substantially as follows:
                  State of Utah, ss.
                  County of ____
                      On the ____ day of ____, A. D. [19] 20 __, personally appeared before me ____, who being
                  by me duly sworn, did say that he is the [president] chair of ____ drainage district which executed
                  the above and foregoing instrument and that [said] the instrument was signed in behalf of [said] the
                  drainage district by authority of a resolution of its board of [supervisors] trustees, and [said] ____
                  acknowledged to me that [said] the drainage district executed the same.
                 
______________

                 
Notary Public.

                  My Commission expires: ____
Residing at: ____.

                      Section 36. Section 17A-2-560 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-560. Land redeemed when lien discharged -- Lien priority -- Foreclosure.
                      Where it appears that the lien of all bond issues outstanding in any drainage district in the state
                  of Utah, has been discharged and released of record with relation to any parcel or parcels of land
                  within any drainage district as shown by the equalized benefit assessment roll of [said] the district by
                  the payment in full of such equalized drainage district benefit assessment, together with matured
                  interest thereon, lands and improvements sold to a drainage district for delinquent drainage district
                  taxes or assessments may be redeemed by any person interested in the property, either as owner or
                  lien holder, at any time while the district holds the tax sale certificate of such sale and prior to the
                  execution of auditor's tax deed, by the payment of such taxes or assessments for the delinquency for

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                  which the property is sold, together with all unpaid drainage district taxes or assessments
                  subsequently levied against such lands and improvements and all interest, costs and penalties, unless
                  in the judgment of the board of [supervisors] trustees of the drainage district and the county
                  legislative body of the county wherein the land is situated, the interest of the drainage district will be
                  best subserved by accepting a lesser sum in which case such lesser sum, to be fixed by the county
                  legislative body, shall be accepted.
                      Any party in interest as owner or lien holder redeeming property as provided herein shall have
                  a lien thereon in the amount so paid, with interest after such payment, which lien shall have the same
                  priority as the tax lien of the district and may be foreclosed by an action in the district court in the
                  same manner as provided by law for the foreclosure of a mortgage.
                      Section 37. Section 17A-2-561 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-561. Petition for dissolution -- Notice -- Hearings -- Objections -- Liquidation
                  of indebtedness.
                      [That any] (1) A drainage district may be dissolved by an order of the district court of the
                  county wherein the same is located, and if located in more than one county, then by an order of the
                  district court in the county wherein the major portion of the land within [said] the district is located,
                  upon a hearing had upon a verified petition filed with the county clerk of such county praying for such
                  dissolution and signed by the owners of a majority of the acreage of lands embraced within the
                  district.
                      (2) (a) Before [said] a hearing [shall] may be had, the clerk of [said] the court, upon fees and
                  costs being advanced therefor, shall cause notice of such hearing to be given by posting notices in six
                  public places in the district sought to be dissolved for a period of four weeks prior to the date of
                  hearing [said] the petition and by publishing a copy thereof in a newspaper of general circulation in
                  the county in which such district or major portion thereof is located once a week for four successive
                  weeks prior to such hearing. [Such]
                      (b) The notice under Subsection (2)(a) shall specify the district to be dissolved, the date, time
                  and place of the hearing of such petition, and shall provide that all persons[,] who have any objections
                  to the dissolution of [said] the district shall file such objections in writing in the office of [said] the

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                  clerk of [said] the court and serve a copy thereof upon the [supervisors] trustees of [said] the district
                  at or prior to the date of [said] the hearing, and all persons who have any claims against [said] the
                  district[,] must present the same duly itemized and verified by the affidavit of the claimant at or prior
                  to the time of [said] the hearing or be forever barred from thereafter asserting [said] those claims, and
                  [said] the notice shall be signed by the clerk of [said] the court.
                      (3) (a) The petition shall be verified by at least three of the petitioners [and said].
                      (b) The verification shall set forth that the petition is signed by the owners of a majority of
                  the acreage within such district.
                      (4) No district shall be dissolved until all indebtedness of such district [shall have] has been
                  paid or until provision has been made for the payment thereof, either by the levying and collecting of
                  assessments, or by money advanced by petitioners, or by depositing a sufficient bond, to be approved
                  by the court, with the clerk of the court, which provides for and secures the payment of all such
                  indebtedness, or by other means approved by the court.
                      Section 38. Section 17A-2-563 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-563. Statement of assessment levied, collected and uncollected, and of
                  indebtedness filed with clerk.
                      Upon the filing of the petition or within 20 days thereafter, the [supervisors] trustees of [said]
                  the drainage district shall file with the clerk of the court in which [said] a petition under Section
                  17A-2-561 is filed a detailed statement of the annual assessments levied for each year since the
                  organization of the district and the payments made thereon by each landowner and the amounts
                  unpaid and outstanding against all lands within [said] the district and also a statement of the
                  indebtedness of [said] the drainage district as [same] it appears upon the books of the district, with
                  the names of the creditors, the nature, date and amount of their respective claims [also], and a
                  statement of the district bonded and other indebtedness of such drainage district at the time of the
                  filing of such petition.
                      Section 39. Section 17A-2-566 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-566. Payment discharges lien, excepting liens for prior assessments.
                      Upon the final determination by the court of the amount or portion of the district's

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                  indebtedness, costs, and expenses to be paid by any given acreage or tract of ground and upon the
                  payment of the amount so determined in accordance with such determination and within the time and
                  in the manner hereinafter specified the court shall enter a decree discharging [said] the land from all
                  lien, tax, assessment, and obligation imposed upon [said] the land by reason of the organization of
                  [said] the district and the assessments levied by [said] the district. Nothing in this part however shall
                  be construed in the absence of such payment so as to impair or release any lien the district may have
                  acquired or to which it may be entitled against any land within the district by reason of assessments
                  heretofore made and all rights to enforce such liens as such rights now exist are expressly preserved
                  and maintained and nothing in this part shall be construed so as to prevent the [supervisors] trustees
                  of [said] the district from carrying out their duties in the same for nonpayment of assessments of any
                  land within the district upon which the drainage district assessments have not been paid.
                      Section 40. Section 17A-2-609 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-609. Trustees -- Election or appointment -- Countywide fire protection district
                  -- Other provisions applicable.
                      (1) [Except as provided in Subsection (b), there shall be three] Members of a fire protection
                  district [commissioners for each district] board of trustees shall be appointed or elected according to
                  the procedures and requirements of Title 17A, Chapter 1, Part 3, Special District Board Selection
                  Procedures.
                      (2) (a) As used in this Subsection (2), a "countywide fire protection district" means a fire
                  protection district that includes all of the county except first and second class cities.
                      (b) If a complete county organizes into a countywide fire protection district, the county
                  legislative body of that county is the fire protection district [commission] board of trustees for as long
                  as the county remains a countywide fire protection district.
                      [(c) The fire commissioners shall serve without compensation, but shall receive necessary
                  expenses in attending meetings and other district business.]
                      (3) (a) The provisions of Title 17B, Chapter 2, Part 4, Board of Trustees, apply to each fire
                  protection district to the same extent as if the fire protection district were a local district under Title
                  17B, Chapter 2, Local Districts.

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                      (b) (i) If a change in the number of board of trustees members is necessary to comply with
                  the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-402 (1), the board of trustees may by majority vote,
                  notwithstanding Subsection 17B-2-402 (3), change the number of board members to the next odd
                  number higher or lower than the number of current board members.
                      (ii) If a change under Subsection (3)(b)(i) decreases the number of board members, the
                  change may not take effect until the expiration of the term of the member whose term next expires.
                      (iii) If a change in the number of board members necessitated by Subsection 17B-2-402 (1)
                  would cause the district to violate a provision of bonds issued by the district, the number of board
                  members may be modified to the extent necessary to avoid a violation.
                      (c) (i) If a change in the expiration date of the term of a board of trustees member is
                  necessary to comply with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-403 (1), the term of each board
                  member whose term expires on a day other than the first Monday in January shall be extended to the
                  first Monday in January after the normal expiration date next following the special district election
                  date under Section 17A-1-305 .
                      (ii) If a change in the length of the term of a board of trustees member is necessary to comply
                  with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-403 (2), the change may not take effect until the expiration
                  of the term of the member whose term length is to be changed.
                      Section 41. Section 17A-2-610 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-610. Separate meetings -- County clerk may be secretary.
                      [The fire commissioners shall organize as a board and shall elect a chairman from their number
                  and shall appoint a secretary and a treasurer. In the event]
                      (1) If the county legislative body [become] becomes the fire protection district
                  [commissioners] board of trustees as provided for in Section 17A-2-609 , meetings as [fire protection
                  commissioners] the board of trustees shall be held separate and apart from meetings as the county
                  legislative body.
                      (2) The board of [fire commissioners] trustees, at its discretion, may provide that until further
                  order of the board, the county clerk shall be ex officio secretary of the board and may similarly
                  provide that the county treasurer shall be ex officio treasurer of the board. [If the board appoints its

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                  own secretary and treasurer, it may combine the two offices. The county legislative body shall
                  require all officers and employees who shall be charged with the handling of funds of the district to
                  furnish good and sufficient surety bonds, or the board in its discretion may provide for a blanket
                  surety bond covering all such officers and employees. All such bonds shall be at the expense of the
                  district.]
                      Section 42. Section 17A-2-613 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-613. Office of the board of trustees -- Principal places of business of district.
                      The office of the [fire commissioners] board of trustees and principal places of business of the
                  district shall be within [said] the district or at some place within the county in which the district is
                  situated and as near as possible to [said] the district. [The board shall hold regular monthly meetings
                  at their office on such day as they, by resolution previously adopted, shall determine, and may adjourn
                  such meetings as may be required for the proper transaction of business. Special meetings of the
                  board may be called at any time by a majority of the commissioners or by the secretary and the
                  chairman of the board. Any fire commissioner not joining in the call of a special meeting shall be
                  entitled to a three day written notice by mail of the same, specifying generally the business proposed
                  to be transacted at said special meeting, but, when at any special meeting of the board all members
                  are present, lack of previous notice thereof shall not invalidate the proceedings. All meetings of the
                  fire commissioners shall be public and a majority shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
                  business. All records of the board shall be open to the inspection of any person at any reasonable
                  time. The board shall have the power and it shall be the duty of the board to adopt a seal of the
                  district, to manage and conduct business affairs of the district, to make and execute all necessary
                  contracts, to employ any necessary service and to establish and promulgate reasonable rules and
                  regulations for the government of the district and for the performance of its functions and generally
                  to perform all such acts as may be necessary fully to carry out the objects of the creation of the
                  district.]
                      Section 43. Section 17A-2-614 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-614. Annexation of contiguous territory -- Procedure -- Petition -- Special
                  election.

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                      (1) Territory contiguous with a fire protection district may be annexed to the district as
                  provided in this section.
                      (2) (a) Annexation is initiated by filing a petition signed by 25% or more of the owners of real
                  property within the territory proposed to be annexed.
                      (b) The petition shall be filed with the [fire commissioners] board of trustees of the fire
                  protection district.
                      (c) If the [fire commissioners concur] board of trustees concurs with the petition, [they] it
                  shall then file the petition with the county legislative body.
                      (3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), the proceedings by the county legislative
                  body shall be the same as for the organization of a district under this part, except that the special
                  election shall be held only within the boundaries of the territory proposed to be annexed to the fire
                  protection district.
                      (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (3)(a), if a petition filed under Subsection (2)(a) has been
                  signed by all the owners of real property within the territory proposed to be annexed:
                      (i) the hearing requirements of Sections 17A-2-603 and 17A-2-604 and the election
                  requirements of Section 17A-2-605 and 17A-2-606 do not apply; and
                      (ii) immediately upon receipt of the petition from the fire protection district commissioners
                  under Subsection (2)(c), the county legislative body shall by resolution declare the territory to be
                  annexed to the fire protection district.
                      Section 44. Section 17A-2-615 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-615. Association to encourage uniformity and coordination of programs --
                  Contracts between two or more fire protection districts.
                      [Any fire protection district organized under this part shall, in addition to the powers stated
                  in Section 17A-2-611 , have authority:]
                      (1) [To] In addition to the powers stated in Section 17A-2-611 , a fire protection district
                  organized under this part may contract with any fire protection district, or with any town, city or
                  municipal corporation or governmental agency or private person or persons to consolidate or
                  cooperate for mutual fire fighting protection and prevention purposes; or, for mutual fire fighting,

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                  protection and prevention purposes only, may annex or become annexed to any city or town or
                  governmental agency already provided with fire fighting and protection equipment and fire protection
                  service upon terms which may be mutually agreed upon. Any city, town, municipal corporation or
                  governmental agency may contract with a fire protection district established and maintained under
                  the provisions of this part for the purpose of affording such district fire fighting and protection
                  equipment and service or fire prevention facilities, and in so contracting the district, city, town,
                  municipal corporation or other governmental agency shall be deemed for all purposes to act within
                  its governmental capacity. Any fire protection district established and maintained under the provisions
                  of this part, or any city, town, municipal corporation or other governmental agency is hereby
                  authorized to contract with any person, firm or corporation for the purpose of affording fire fighting,
                  protection or fire prevention facilities to such person, firm or corporation and such contractual
                  relation shall be deemed for all purposes to be within the governmental power of such fire protection
                  district, city, town, municipal corporation, or other governmental agency;
                      (2) [Fire] In addition to the powers stated in Section 17A-2-611, fire protection districts
                  situated in different counties may contract to operate jointly in carrying out the objects of their
                  creation. Contracts for joint operation may provide for joint ownership of property and equipment,
                  and may authorize a joint board of [fire commissioners] trustees of the contracting districts to manage
                  the affairs of the joint operations; to employ and discharge the necessary agents and employees and
                  fix their respective wages and salaries; to provide and designate a suitable place within [said] the
                  districts or at some place in which any of the contracting districts is situated as near as possible to                   said
                  districts, as a regular meeting place for the joint board; to incur the necessary expenses and direct the
                  payment therefor from the funds of the contracting districts in such proportions as the joint boards
                  shall determine; and to do all things as may in the judgment of the joint board, be required to carry
                  out the joint operations of the contracting districts.
                      The joint board shall consist of the members of the boards of the contracting districts and a
                  majority of the membership of each district board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the
                  business of the joint board. The members of the boards of [fire commissioners] trustees of the
                  contracting districts shall organize a joint board annually in January after the second Monday thereof,

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                  elect a [chairman] chair and appoint a secretary for the ensuing year. Any member of the board of any
                  contracting district may act as secretary of the joint board or the joint board may appoint such other
                  person as the joint board may determine. The joint board shall prepare the annual budget for the joint
                  operation of the contracting districts and shall determine the share of revenues for the joint operation
                  to be raised by each district and the share of the expense of joint operation to be paid by each district
                  in the ensuing year, and the secretary of the joint board shall certify and deliver within the time
                  required by Section 17A-2-617 hereof, a copy of such annual budget to the county clerk of each
                  county involved and to each of the contracting districts, showing the part of the budget to be raised
                  by each contracting district, each contracting district shall then include that part of the budget to be
                  raised by such district within the budget prepared and submitted to the county legislative body in
                  accordance with Section 17A-2-617 .
                      Contracts for joint operation of fire districts, as herein authorized, shall run from year to year
                  and as of January 1st may be terminated by written notice of the board of [fire commissioners or]
                  trustees of any contracting district to the other contracting district or districts on or before July 1st
                  and the contract for joint operations shall terminate on January 1st following: Provided, that all
                  obligations of the joint operations must be paid or definitely arranged for before contract termination
                  and no notice of termination shall relieve any contracting district of its unpaid obligation incurred
                  under the contract for joint operation[;].
                      (3) To encourage uniformity and coordination of fire protection district operation programs,
                  the [fire commissioners] board of trustees of two or more fire protection districts may form an
                  association thereof for the purpose of securing data and information of value in fighting and in
                  preventing fires; hold and attend meetings thereof; and promote more economical and efficient
                  operation of the associated fire protection districts. The [directors] trustees of fire protection districts
                  so associated shall adopt articles of association, select a [chairman] chair and secretary and such other
                  officers as they may determine, and may employ and discharge such agents and employees as the
                  officers [deem] consider convenient to carry out the purposes of the association.
                      (4) Two or more fire protection districts may contract with each other and such a district may
                  contract with a city or county or the state supervisor of forestry or any association approved by [him]

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                  the supervisor for the joint leasing, ownership, maintenance and operation of all necessary and proper
                  apparatus, facilities, machinery, and equipment for the elimination of fire hazards and for the
                  protection of life and property against fire within the contracting districts, and of real property,
                  improvements and fixtures thereon suitable and convenient for the housing, repairing and caring for,
                  such apparatus, facilities, machinery and equipment, and may contribute their agreed proportion of
                  the cost and expense thereof.
                      Such contracts shall be executed by the [commissioners] board of trustees of the contracting
                  districts and, when the contract is between such districts, the terms and conditions thereof shall be
                  carried out by the boards of [commissioners] trustees acting jointly.
                      Section 45. Section 17A-2-617 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-617. Annual budget -- Levy, extension, and collection of taxes.
                      Before June 15 of each year the [commissioners] board of trustees of each fire protection
                  district shall prepare and adopt a budget for the next ensuing calendar year, and certify such budget
                  to the county clerk specifying the amount of such budget to be raised by taxes. [It shall be the duty
                  of the] The county legislative body [to] shall review such budget, [to] determine the tax levy rate for
                  such district, and in levying general county taxes, [to] levy a tax at such rate for district purposes on
                  all taxable property in the district. Such taxes shall be extended and collected in the manner provided
                  by law for the collection of general county taxes and the proceeds thereof shall as collected be turned
                  over to the treasurer of the district. All laws applicable to the imposition, collection and enforcement
                  of general county taxes, including those pertaining to the allowance of collection fees, to the
                  imposition of penalties for delinquencies and to the sale of property for nonpayment of taxes, shall
                  be applicable to the taxes so levied for the district. The official in charge of the tax and assessment
                  rolls of the county shall keep the rolls in such a manner as to show separately the property on the rolls
                  which lies within the boundaries of each district created under the provisions of this part.
                      Section 46. Section 17A-2-618 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-618. Bonds -- Duty of board of trustees -- Levy of taxes for payment of bonds.
                      The [commissioners] board of trustees of each district which has issued bonds under the
                  provisions of this part shall certify annually to the county legislative body the amount of the bonded

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                  indebtedness unpaid, the amount of principal and interest to be paid during the current year, and the
                  county legislative body shall levy annually, until principal and interest have been fully paid, taxes on
                  all taxable property in the district, fully sufficient to assure the prompt payment of principal and
                  interest as each falls due. The taxes to be levied by the county legislative body for any district, other
                  than those levied for the payment of principal and of interest on the bonds of the district, may not in
                  any year exceed .0008 per dollar of taxable value of taxable property in the district.
                      Section 47. Section 17A-2-619 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-619. Indebtedness not to exceed estimated expendable revenue.
                      It shall be unlawful for fire protection district [commissioners] board of trustees to incur any
                  indebtedness in excess of the estimated expendable revenue for the ensuing year except as otherwise
                  provided [herein] in this part.
                      Section 48. Section 17A-2-622 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-622. Election regarding issuance of bonds.
                      (1) After a fire protection district has been created, a petition may be presented to the fire
                  protection district [commissioners] board of trustees requesting [such commissioners] the board to
                  order an election to determine whether the bonds of the district shall be issued to the amount and for
                  the purpose or purposes stated in the petition. Such petition shall comply in all respects to the
                  requirements of Section 17A-2-602 hereof, except shall be made to the fire protection district
                  [commissioners] board of trustees. After the filing of [said] the petition, the board of trustees'
                  procedure [of said commissioners] in respect to publication of notice, contents of notice, hearing and
                  determination of petition, continuance, objections, determination of amount of bonds shall comply,
                  as nearly as practicable, with Sections 17A-2-603 and 17A-2-604 .
                      (2) Adoption of the resolution calling the election, determination of voters' qualifications,
                  notice and conduct of the election, and the canvass of election results shall be accomplished in the
                  manner prescribed in [the] Title 11, Chapter 14, Utah Municipal Bond Act. [Fire] The fire protection
                  district [commissioners] board of trustees, for purposes of the election, may treat the entire district
                  as a single precinct or divide the district into several precincts and it may fix such polling places as
                  they [deem] consider appropriate.

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                      Section 49. Section 17A-2-703 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-703. Land and water allotments -- Revision and alteration -- Proceedings to list
                  lands -- Writ of mandamus -- Hearing and determination on writ -- Calling election -- Conduct
                  of election.
                      When a petition has been filed, water survey and allotment made, and notice of hearing
                  published as required by this part, the county legislative body shall upon the date set, proceed to
                  determine and list the lands, which need not be contiguous, by acreage and ownership in each 40-acre
                  legal subdivision to be included in [said] the proposed district, from the petition, and from such
                  applications for the exclusion of lands therefrom and the inclusion of lands therein, as may be made
                  in accordance with the intent of this part and may revise the allotment of water made by the state
                  engineer; provided that no increase shall be made in any such allotment without the approval of the
                  state engineer; they may adjourn such examination from time to time not exceeding two months in
                  all, and shall by final order duly entered determine and list the acreage and ownership in each 40-acre
                  legal subdivision together with the allotment of water made; provided, that [said] the county
                  legislative body shall not so alter the included lands, shown by the plat accompanying the petition,
                  as to change the objects of [said] the petition, or so as to exempt from the operation of this part any
                  lands, requiring water, shown on the plat as included within the petition, and susceptible of irrigation
                  by the same system of waterworks applicable to other lands in such proposed district; nor shall any
                  land which will not in the judgment of the county legislative body be [benefited] benefitted by such
                  proposed system be included in such district; nor shall any lands of the state of Utah not held under
                  contract of sale and for which the state board of land commissioners has not petitioned inclusion, be
                  included in such district; provided also that lands not included in [said] the proposed district as shown
                  on the ownership plat accompanying the petition, may upon application of the owner or owners be
                  included in such district upon such hearing, and such included lands shall be listed with such allotment
                  or water as the county legislative body, using the allotment made by the state engineer for similar
                  lands as a basis, may make after the conclusion of such hearing; provided further that in the hearing
                  of any such petition the county legislative body shall disregard any informality therein, and in case
                  they deny the same or dismiss it for any reason on account of the provisions of this part not having

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                  been complied with, which are the only reasons upon which they shall have a right to refuse or                   dismiss
                  the same, they shall state their reasons in writing therefor in detail, which shall be entered upon their
                  records and in case these reasons are not well founded, a writ of mandamus shall, upon proper
                  application therefor, issue out of the district court of [said] the county, compelling them to act in
                  compliance with this part, which writ shall be heard within 20 days from the date of its issuance, and
                  which 20 days shall be excluded from the two months after return of survey by the state engineer
                  given the county legislative body herein to act upon [said] the petition. When the lands included in
                  the proposed district [shall] have been determined and listed as aforesaid, the county legislative body
                  shall forthwith make an order determining and listing [said] those lands as aforesaid together with the
                  allotments of water made, and designating the name of such proposed district, and shall by further
                  order duly entered upon the record call an election of landowners of [said] the district to be held for
                  the purpose of determining whether such district shall be organized under the provisions of this part,
                  and by such order shall submit the names of one or more persons from each of the three divisions of
                  [said] the district as hereinafter provided to be voted for as [directors] trustees therein, and for the
                  purpose of [said] the election shall divide [said] the district into three divisions as nearly equal in
                  voting strength as may be practicable, define the boundaries thereof, designate polling places, and
                  provided that a landowner of each of [said] the divisions shall be elected a member of the board of
                  [directors] trustees of [said] the district by the landowners of the whole district. Each of [said] the
                  divisions shall constitute an election precinct and three judges shall be appointed for each polling
                  place therein, one of whom shall act as clerk of [said] the election, provided, that the county
                  legislative body may divide each of such divisions or election precincts into one or more voting
                  precincts, designate polling places, and appoint judges of the election therefor.
                      Section 50. Section 17A-2-704 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-704. Notice of election -- Trustees.
                      The county legislative body shall thereupon cause a notice embodying [said] the orders in
                  substance signed by the chairman of the county legislative body, and the clerk of [said] the legislative
                  body, to be issued, given and published, giving public notice of [said] the election, the time and place
                  thereof, and the matters submitted to the vote of the landowners; [said] the notice and substance of

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                  such order shall be so published as provided in Section 17A-2-702 , and if any portion of such
                  proposed district lies within any other county, or counties, then such order and notice shall be
                  published in a newspaper of general circulation within each of [said] those counties. At all elections
                  held under the provisions of this part, all persons shall be entitled to vote who are landowners of
                  agricultural lands, to which water has been allotted with the district as defined by this part; provided,
                  that corporations owning lands within the district shall be considered persons within the meaning of
                  this section. Landowners shall be entitled to vote only in the division of such district, wherein their
                  lands, to which water has been allotted, or a major portion thereof are located; and any individual
                  entitled to vote as aforesaid shall also be eligible to election as a [director] trustee in and for the
                  division in such district, in which the major portion of his lands are located. The ballots to be used
                  and cast at such election for the formation of such district, shall be substantially as follows: ["Water
                  conservation] "Irrigation district, __________ Yes, __________ (Name) __________ acre-feet," or
                  ["Water conservation] "Irrigation district, __________ No __________ (Name) __________
                  acre-feet," or words equivalent thereto, and shall also contain the names of the persons to be voted
                  for as members of the board of [directors] trustees of said district; each landowner may vote for three
                  [directors] trustees, one for each division, and shall indicate [his] a vote by placing a marginal cross
                  upon the ballot for or against any question submitted or name voted upon and opposite thereto at any
                  election held under this part. Provided, that at the election for the organization of the district each
                  elector as provided herein shall be entitled to cast one vote for each acre-foot of water or fraction
                  thereof, allotted to the land owned by such elector, as shown by the order of the county legislative
                  body, and shall sign the ballot and indicate along with [his or her] the elector's name the number of
                  acre-feet allotted to the lands owned by the elector casting the ballot.
                      Section 51. Section 17A-2-705 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-705. Canvass of returns -- Organization of district.
                      The county legislative body shall meet on the first Monday next succeeding such election and
                  proceed to canvass the returns thereof; and if, upon such canvass, it appears that a majority of the
                  votes cast at [said] the election are ["Water conservation] "Irrigation district.......... yes," the county
                  legislative body shall by an order entered on their minutes, declare such territory duly organized as

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                  [a water conservation] an irrigation district, under the name and style theretofore designated, and
                  shall declare the persons receiving respectively the highest number of votes for such several offices
                  to be duly elected to such office. The county legislative body shall within a reasonable time
                  thereafter, cause a copy of such order, including a list and plat of the lands of [said] the district, with
                  water allotment, to be filed for record in the office of the county clerk of the county in which the
                  petition is filed and certified copy with the county recorder of each county in which any portion of
                  such lands are situated, and no county legislative body of any county including any portion of such
                  district, shall after the date of organization of such district, allow another district to be formed
                  including any of the land of such district, without the consent of the board of [directors] trustees
                  thereof; and from and after the date of such filing, the organization of such district shall be complete
                  [and the officers thereof shall immediately enter upon the duties of their respective offices, upon
                  qualifying in accordance with law, and shall hold such offices, respectively, until their successors are
                  elected and qualified]. No filing or recording fees shall be charged for filing or recording any
                  instruments required to be filed or recorded under this section.
                      Section 52. Section 17A-2-706 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-706. Regular election of district -- Official bond -- Fiscal agents.
                      (1) The regular election of the district, for the purpose of electing a board of [directors]
                  trustees, shall be held according to the procedures and requirements of Title 17A, Chapter 1, Part 3,
                  Special District Board Selection Procedures.
                      [(2) (a) Each member of the board of directors shall execute an official bond in the sum of
                  $3,000.]
                      [(b) That bond shall be approved by the county clerk of the county in which the district was
                  organized.]
                      [(c) The board shall:]
                      [(i) record the bonds in the office of the county clerk; and]
                      [(ii) pay the premium on the bonds.]
                      [(d) All official bonds shall be in the form prescribed by law for official bonds for county
                  officials, except that the obligee named in the bonds shall be the district.]

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                      [(3)] (2) (a) If any district organized under this part is appointed fiscal agent of the United
                  States or is authorized by the United States to collect money for and on behalf of the United States
                  in connection with any federal project, each [director] trustee shall execute an additional official bond
                  in whatever sum that the Secretary of the Interior requires, conditioned upon the faithful discharge
                  of the duties of the [director's] trustee's office.
                      (b) The district shall execute an additional bond for the faithful discharge by the district of
                  its duties as fiscal or other agent of the United States under that appointment or authorization.
                      (c) Those additional official bonds shall be filed in the office of the county clerk.
                      (d) The United States or any person injured by the failure of a [director] trustee or of the
                  district to fully, promptly, and completely perform their respective duties may sue upon those official
                  bonds.
                      Section 53. Section 17A-2-707 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-707. Office location.
                      The office of the board of [directors] trustees shall be located in the county that organized the
                  district.
                      Section 54. Section 17A-2-711 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-711. Board of trustees -- Organization -- Powers and duties -- Other provisions
                  applicable.
                      [Once the directors have duly qualified, they shall organize as a board, elect a president from
                  their number, and appoint a secretary. The secretary shall execute a bond, in favor of the district, in
                  a form and amount prescribed by the board. The board shall adopt a seal, manage and conduct the
                  affairs and business of the district, make and execute all necessary contracts, employ agents,
                  attorneys, officers, and employees as required, and prescribe their duties.]
                      (1) The board shall establish boundaries of election precincts and may change them, but no
                  change may be made less than 30 days prior to an election. Upon the completion of the organization
                  of the district and before any bond issue or contract is voted on, any assessment levied, or toll or
                  charge imposed, the board of [directors] trustees, having first determined the amount of water
                  available for the use of the district, shall upon notice and a hearing and under rules determined by the

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                  board, make a final revision and allotment of the available water to each 40-acre tract or smaller tract
                  in separate ownership within each legal subdivision; but no allotment may be increased above the
                  amount originally allotted by the state engineer without the consent of the state engineer and the final
                  allotment may not be decreased as long as there may be any outstanding indebtedness in excess of
                  .4% of the fair market value of the lands within the district. The allotment may, however, be
                  increased to an amount not exceeding the amount allotted by the state engineer if the additional
                  amount of water becomes available for the use of the district. The final allotment in acre-feet, or
                  other units of measurement, the service, turnout, construction, distribution charges, or other charges,
                  if any, shall be the basis for all assessments, tolls, and charges levied against the land and shall also
                  subsequently be the basis of the vote at all elections. A copy of the order making the allotment or
                  any increase provided, certified to by the secretary of the district, shall be immediately filed for record
                  in the office of the county clerk of the county in which the office of the district is located and a
                  certified copy filed with the county recorder of each county in which any lands of the district are
                  situated. Nothing in this part may prohibit the state engineer, upon petition by the board of
                  [directors] trustees after the organization of the district has been perfected, from increasing the
                  maximum allotment of water for any tract or tracts of land embraced within the district when in the
                  opinion of the state engineer the tract or tracts of land cannot be beneficially irrigated with the
                  amount of water allotted. The board of [directors] trustees may construct or may acquire by
                  contract, purchase, condemnation, or otherwise, canals, ditches, reservoirs, reservoir sites, irrigation
                  systems or works and lands necessary or incidental to the use and operation of irrigation works, and
                  reservoir sites, which lands may be leased when leasing will not interfere with their use for irrigation
                  purposes, and also water filings, water rights, rights-of-way, or other property or any interest in the
                  property, including power plants when acquired or developed in connection with an irrigation system
                  with the right to sell or dispose of the surplus power. The board may also purchase stock of                   irrigation
                  canal, and reservoir companies. The board may exchange bonds of the district for any such property
                  upon terms and conditions the board considers best, subject to the approval of the State Board of
                  Certification. The board, its agents, and employees may enter upon any land in the district to make
                  surveys and to locate and construct any canal or canals, and the necessary laterals. The board may,

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                  by condemnation, acquire rights of way for the enlargement of any ditches, canals, or reservoirs, but
                  the board may not occupy the premises proposed to be condemned pending the determination of a
                  suit, except upon filing the bond required by law in the case of suits by other corporations and
                  individuals. The right-of-way is given, dedicated, and set apart, to locate, construct, and maintain the
                  works, or reservoirs, over, through, or upon any of the lands which are now, or may be the property
                  of the state. The board may make these investigations and based on them, make representations and
                  assurances to the Secretary of the Interior, as may be requisite under the act of Congress, approved
                  August 11, 1916, and may enter into any obligation or contract with the United States for the
                  construction or operation and maintenance of the necessary works for the delivery and distribution
                  of water or for the assumption, as principal or guarantor of indebtedness to the United States on
                  account of district lands, or for the temporary rental of water under the provisions of the Federal
                  Reclamation Act, and all acts amendatory of that act, or supplementary to it, or any other Acts of
                  Congress now enacted or which may be enacted, and the rules and regulations established under
                  them; or the board may contract with the United States for a water supply under any act of Congress
                  providing for or permitting the contract, and may convey to the United States as partial or full
                  consideration water rights or other property of the district, and in case the contract has been or may
                  be made with the United States as provided in this section, bonds of the district may be deposited
                  with the United States at 95% of their par value to the amount to be paid by the district to the United
                  States under the contract, the interest on the bonds to be provided for by assessment and levy as in
                  the case of other bonds of the district, and regularly paid to the United States to be applied as
                  provided in the contract, and if bonds of the district are not so deposited, the board of [directors]
                  trustees shall include as part of any levy or assessment now provided for by law, an amount sufficient
                  to meet each year all payments accruing under the terms of the contract and the board may accept
                  on behalf of the district, appointment of the district as fiscal agent of the United States, or
                  authorization of the district by the United States, or authorization of the district by the United States
                  to make collections of moneys for or on behalf of the United States in connection with any federal
                  reclamation project, at which time the district shall be authorized so as to act and to assume the duties
                  and liabilities incident to that action, and the board may do any and all things required by the federal

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                  statutes enacted in connection with it, and all things required by the rules and regulations established
                  by any department of the federal government. Districts cooperating with the United States may rent
                  or lease water to private lands, entrymen, or municipalities in the neighborhood of the district, in
                  pursuance of a contract with the United States. If a contract is proposed to be made with the United
                  States and bonds are not to be deposited with the United States in connection with the contract, the
                  question to be submitted to the voters at a special election is whether or not the contract shall be
                  entered into with the United States. The notice of election shall state under the terms of what Act
                  or Acts of Congress the contract is proposed to be made, and the maximum amount of money payable
                  to the United States for construction purposes exclusive of penalties and interest and the water rights
                  and other property, if any, to be conveyed to the United States as provided in this section. The
                  ballots for the election shall contain the words "Contract with the United States-Yes" and "Contract
                  with the United States-No," or the equivalent. If a majority of the votes cast at the election are
                  "Contract with the United States-Yes," the board of [directors] trustees shall immediately enter into
                  the contract with the United States. The board shall establish equitable rules for the distribution and
                  use of water among the owners of lands included in this district, and may provide that no water may
                  be delivered to lands which are delinquent or in default in the payment of any toll, charge, tax, or
                  assessment. The rules shall, as soon as adopted, be printed in convenient form for distribution in the
                  district; but water, the right to the use of which is acquired by the district under any contract with the
                  United States, shall be distributed and apportioned by the district in accordance with the Acts of
                  Congress, the rules and regulations, and the provisions of the contract.
                      (2) The board of [directors] trustees may annually instruct the county assessor of the county
                  in which the lands to be affected are located to remove from the assessment roll any land publicly
                  dedicated to streets, highways, and roads, and also other land the use of which has so permanently
                  changed as to prevent the beneficial use of water, and the assessor shall do so. The instructions to
                  the assessor shall be accompanied by a written consent to the removal from the assessment roll signed
                  by all owners of private land affected by it.
                      (3) When any tract of land in the district which has no water allotment becomes susceptible
                  to irrigation and use of water, or when any tract has an insufficient water allotment, the board of

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                  [directors] trustees, upon written application of the owner of the land, may temporarily permit water
                  to be applied on the land, and in that case the board may annually instruct the county assessor of the
                  county in which the tract to be affected is located to assess the tract for water in the amount fixed by
                  the board, and the assessor shall do so. Nothing contained in this section may affect the permanent
                  water allotments in the district.
                      (4) The board of [directors] trustees may lease or rent the use of water not needed by the
                  landowners of the district and in addition may contract to supply and deliver the water to
                  municipalities, corporations, associations, or individuals, within or without the district for irrigation
                  or any other beneficial use, at prices and terms the board considers best. No lease or rental agreement
                  running for a period of more than five years may be made, and no vested or prescriptive right to the
                  use of the water may attach to the land by virtue of the lease or rental; and any landowner in the
                  district may, where practicable, with the consent of the board of [directors] trustees, assign the right
                  to the whole or any portion of the water apportioned to the landowner's land for any one year to any
                  other bona fide landowner, for use in the district for the year; if the landowners have paid all amounts
                  due on assessments upon the lands. [The board shall generally perform all acts and have all powers
                  necessary to carry out fully the purposes of this part. The board of directors shall, by resolution,
                  prescribe the dates for holding regular meetings and shall also hold special meetings as required for
                  the proper transaction of business. A special meeting may be called by a written request of ten or
                  more of the electors of the district, addressed to the president of the board of directors, or by the
                  president of the board, or by any two directors. All meetings of the board shall be public, two
                  members constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and on all questions requiring a vote,
                  there shall be a concurrence of at least two members of the board. All records of the board shall be
                  open to the inspection of any landowner during business hours.] The board shall, at the end of each
                  fiscal year, prepare and submit to a public meeting of the landowners within the district, called for that
                  purpose, a report covering all transactions and operations of the district during the year.
                      (5) (a) The provisions of Title 17B, Chapter 2, Part 4, Board of Trustees, apply to each
                  irrigation district to the same extent as if the irrigation district were a local district under Title 17B,
                  Chapter 2, Local Districts.

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                      (b) (i) If a change in the number of board of trustees members is necessary to comply with
                  the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-402 (1), the board of trustees may by majority vote,
                  notwithstanding Subsection 17B-2-402 (3), change the number of board members to the next odd
                  number higher or lower than the number of current board members.
                      (ii) If a change under Subsection (5)(b)(i) decreases the number of board members, the
                  change may not take effect until the expiration of the term of the member whose term next expires.
                      (iii) If a change in the number of board members necessitated by Subsection 17B-2-402 (1)
                  would cause the district to violate a provision of bonds issued by the district, the number of board
                  members may be modified to the extent necessary to avoid a violation.
                      (c) (i) If a change in the expiration date of the term of a board of trustees member is
                  necessary to comply with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-403 (1), the term of each board
                  member whose term expires on a day other than the first Monday in January shall be extended to the
                  first Monday in January after the normal expiration date next following the special district election
                  date under Section 17A-1-305 .
                      (ii) If a change in the length of the term of a board of trustees member is necessary to comply
                  with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-403 (2), the change may not take effect until the expiration
                  of the term of the member whose term length is to be changed.
                      Section 55. Section 17A-2-712 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-712. Additional powers of board.
                      (1) In addition to any of the powers granted in this part, the board of [directors] trustees of
                  any irrigation district may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, enlarge, and operate, or contract
                  for the construction, improvement, enlargement, and operation of:
                      (a) reservoir sites, reservoirs, water, water filings, water rights, canals, ditches, and all other
                  related structures and works necessary or proper for the storage and conveyance of water for
                  irrigation purposes and all other structures and facilities necessary or proper for the purposes of the
                  irrigation district; and
                      (b) facilities for the generation of hydroelectric power and all other related structures and
                  works necessary or proper for the generation of electricity, including hydroelectric power plants,

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                  turbine generators, penstocks, transformers, electrical equipment, and other facilities related to
                  hydroelectric production plants, not including transmission facilities related to hydroelectric
                  production plants.
                      (2) In addition to any of the powers granted in this part, the board of [directors] trustees of
                  any irrigation district may enter into contracts for the sale of all or a portion of the electric power
                  generated at a hydroelectric power plant, whether or not the electric power to be sold is surplus to
                  the needs of the district, for the periods of time and under the terms and conditions the board deems
                  necessary in order to accomplish the purposes of the district. Any sale of the electric power may be
                  for the period and upon the terms and conditions as may be provided in contracts authorized by the
                  board and entered into by the district and any purchaser of the electric power having, at the time of
                  the commencement of the acquisition and construction of the electric power plant by the district, a
                  system for distributing the electric power. Any revenues received by the district pursuant to power
                  sale contracts may be used and pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest and any
                  premium on bonds or notes of the district issued to pay all or part of the cost of acquiring,
                  constructing, improving, or enlarging the facilities from which the hydroelectric power is generated,
                  or for any other lawful purpose of the district. The boards of [directors] trustees of any two or more
                  irrigation districts may, by appropriate resolutions, enter into agreements with one another by which
                  the districts may jointly or cooperatively exercise any of the powers conferred by this section.
                      (3) The board may issue revenue bonds of the district, in the manner provided in this section:
                      (a) to pay for all or part of the costs of the acquisition, construction, improvement, or
                  enlargement of any facilities described in Subsection (1) and other related structures and works and
                  to pay expenses preliminary and incidental thereto;
                      (b) to pay interest on the bonds during acquisition, construction, improvement, or
                  enlargement; and
                      (c) to provide for necessary reserves and to pay costs of issuance and sale of the bonds,
                  including, without limitation, printing, registration, and transfer costs, legal, financial advisor's, and
                  rating agency fees, insurance premiums, and underwriter's discount.
                      (4) The board may provide that any revenue bonds issued and sold under this section shall

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                  be payable solely out of a special fund into which the district issuing the revenue bonds shall be
                  obligated to deposit, as from time to time received, all or a designated portion of the proceeds from
                  the sale of the services furnished by the facilities of the irrigation district, including the facilities to be
                  so acquired, constructed, improved, or enlarged, all pursuant to contracts to be entered into as
                  authorized in this section.
                      (5) Revenue bonds of the district issued under the authority of this section shall be issued and
                  sold in compliance with Title 11, Chapter 14, [the] Utah Municipal Bond Act, and may be in the form
                  and denominations and have the provisions and details as are permitted by the Utah Municipal Bond
                  Act. The bonds and any evidences of participation interests in the bonds may be issued, executed,
                  authenticated, registered, transferred, exchanged, and otherwise made to comply with Title 15,
                  Chapter 7, [the] Registered Public Obligations Act, or any other statute relating to the registration
                  of bonds enacted to meet the requirements of Section 149(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
                  or any similar or successor federal law, and applicable regulations. Bonds may be issued under the
                  authority of this section at one time or from time to time. If more than one issue or series of bonds
                  is delivered under the authority of this section, the bonds of the respective issue or series shall have
                  the priorities of payment as provided in the proceedings authorizing the bonds.
                      (6) Any resolution authorizing revenue bonds may contain covenants with the future holders
                  of the bonds as to:
                      (a) the management and operation of the facilities of the irrigation district, including the
                  facilities acquired, constructed, improved, enlarged, or operated pursuant to this section;
                      (b) the imposition and collection of rates for the services furnished thereby;
                      (c) the disposition of the revenues;
                      (d) the issuance of future bonds and the creation of future liens and encumbrances against
                  these facilities and the revenues thereof;
                      (e) the carrying of insurance on these facilities and the disposition of the proceeds of
                  insurance;
                      (f) the sale, disposal, or alienation of these facilities; and
                      (g) other pertinent matters deemed necessary or proper by the board to assure the

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                  merchantability of the bonds. These covenants and agreements may not be inconsistent with this
                  section.
                      (7) When a district has issued revenue bonds and pledged for the payment thereof any
                  revenues of the facilities of the irrigation district, including the facilities acquired, constructed,
                  improved, enlarged, or operated pursuant to this section, the district shall establish rates and collect
                  fees and charges for the services furnished by these facilities in that amount and at those rates which
                  will be fully sufficient at all times to pay the expenses of operating and maintaining these facilities,
                  to provide a special fund sufficient to assure the prompt payment of principal of and interest on the
                  bonds as principal and interest fall due, and to provide funds for reserves and contingencies and for
                  a depreciation fund for repairs, extensions, and improvements to these facilities as [deemed]
                  considered necessary to assure adequate and efficient service, all as required by the bond resolution.
                  No board or commission other than the board of [directors] trustees of the district has authority over
                  or is required to approve the making or fixing of the fees and charges or the acquisition of property
                  by the district or the issuance of its bonds.
                      (8) Any restrictions, limitations, or regulations in any other section of this part relative to the
                  issuance of bonds or the execution of contracts pursuant to the authority contained in this section do
                  not apply to the revenue bonds issued under this section or the execution of contracts under the
                  authority of this section. Sections 17A-2-750 , 17A-2-751 , 17A-2-752 , and 17A-2-753 do not apply
                  to any contract entered into by an irrigation district under this section, nor to the issuance of any
                  revenue bonds by an irrigation district under this section.
                      Section 56. Section 17A-2-714 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-714. Judicial notice -- Presumptions as to organization.
                      [The said board is hereby authorized and empowered to take conveyances or assurances for
                  all property acquired by it under the provisions of this part in the name of such irrigation district, and
                  to institute and maintain any and all actions and proceedings, suits at law or in equity, necessary or
                  proper in order to fully carry out the provisions of this part or to enforce, maintain, protect, or
                  preserve any or all rights, privileges and immunities created by this part or acquired in pursuance
                  thereof. And in all courts, actions, suits, or proceedings the said board may sue, appear and defend

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                  in person or by attorneys and in the name of such irrigation district.] Judicial notice shall be taken in
                  all actions, suits and judicial proceedings in any court of this state of the organization and existence
                  of any irrigation district of this state, now or hereafter organized, from and after the filing in the office
                  of the county clerk of the order of the county legislative body mentioned in Section 17A-2-705 and
                  a certified copy of [said] the order shall be prima facie evidence in all actions, suits and proceedings
                  in any court of this state of the regularity and legal sufficiency of all acts, matters and proceedings
                  therein recited and set forth; and any such irrigation district, in regard to which any such order has
                  been heretofore or may hereafter be entered, and which has exercised or shall exercise the rights and
                  powers of such a district, and shall have had or shall have in office a board of [directors] trustees
                  exercising the duties of their office, the legality or regularity of the formation or organization whereof
                  shall not have been questioned by proceedings in quo warranto instituted in the district court of the
                  county in which such district or the greater portion thereof is situated within one year from the date
                  of such filing, shall be conclusively [deemed] considered to be a legally and regularly organized,
                  established and existing irrigation district within the meaning of this part, and its due and lawful
                  formation and organization shall not thereafter be questioned in any action, suit or proceeding
                  whether brought under the provisions of this part or otherwise.
                      Section 57. Section 17A-2-715 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-715. Issuance of bonds -- Special election -- Contract with the United States --
                  Additional bonding -- Validation of previous issues.
                      For the purpose of constructing or purchasing or acquiring necessary reservoir sites,
                  reservoirs, water, water filings, water rights, canals, ditches and works, stock of irrigation, canal, or
                  reservoir companies, and other necessary property and rights, for the assumption of any indebtedness
                  to the United States, for the purpose of paying interest upon the bonds herein authorized during the
                  period of construction and for not more than four years thereafter, and otherwise carrying out the
                  provisions of this part, the board of [directors] trustees of any such district shall as soon after such
                  district has been organized as may be practicable, estimate and determine the amount of money
                  necessary to be raised for such purposes, and shall forthwith call a special election, at which election
                  shall be submitted to the landowners of such district, possessing the qualifications prescribed by this

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                  part, the question of whether or not the bonds of [said] the district shall be issued in the amount so
                  determined. Notice of such election shall be given by posting notice in one public place in each
                  election precinct in [said] the district for at least 20 days, and also by publication in the manner
                  prescribed in Section 17A-2-702 . Such notice shall specify the time of holding the election, the
                  amount and purpose of bonds proposed to be issued, and [said] the election must be held and the
                  result thereof determined and declared in all respects as nearly as possible in conformity with the
                  provisions of this part governing the election of officers; provided, that no informalities in conducting
                  such election shall invalidate the same, if the elections [shall] have been otherwise fairly conducted.
                  At such election, the ballots shall contain the words "Bonds -- Yes," or "Bonds -- No," or words
                  equivalent thereto. If a two-thirds majority of the votes cast at such election are "Bonds-Yes," the
                  board of [directors] trustees shall cause the bonds to be executed and payable in series as follows, to
                  wit:
                      Not later than at the expiration of 11 years, and annually, after the date of first payment of
                  principal amount, a certain percentage, not less than 3%, of the whole amount and number of [said]
                  the bonds; at the expiration of the final period for which the bonds have been issued, which period
                  shall in no event exceed 40 years, a percentage sufficient to pay off the remainder of [said] the bonds;
                  that the several enumerated percentages be of the entire amount of the bond issue; that each bond
                  must be payable at the given time for its entire amount, and not for percentage. That [said] the bonds
                  shall bear interest at the rate of not to exceed 6% per annum, payable semiannually on the 1st day of
                  June and December of each year.
                      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 effected as aforesaid, and at such other places as the
                  board of [directors] trustees may designate in such bonds. [Said] The bonds shall be each of the
                  denomination of not less than $100, nor more than $1,000, shall be negotiable in form, executed in
                  the name of the district and signed by the [president] chair and secretary and the seal of the district
                  shall be affixed thereto. Bonds deposited with the United States may call for the payment of such
                  interest not exceeding 6% per annum, may be of such denomination, and may call for the repayment
                  of the principal at such times as may be agreed upon between the board and the United States, and

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                  where contract is made and bonds are not deposited with the United States, the contract may likewise
                  call for the repayment of the principal at such time as may be agreed upon. [Said] The bonds shall
                  be numbered consecutively as executed and bear the date of authorization. Coupons for the interest
                  shall be attached to each bond bearing the printed or lithographed facsimile of the signature of the
                  [president] chair and the secretary. [Said] The bonds shall express on their face that they are issued
                  by the authority of this part, stating its title and date of approval. The secretary shall keep a record
                  of the bonds sold, their number, date of sale, the price received, the name of the purchaser and may
                  keep a transfer register; provided, any such district may provide for the issuance of bonds that will
                  mature in any number of years less than 40, and arrange for the payment thereof, in series as above
                  provided; provided, further, that when the money obtained from any previous issue of bonds has
                  become exhausted by expenditures, herein authorized therefor, and it becomes necessary to raise
                  additional money for such purposes, additional bonds may be issued after submitting the question at
                  a special election to the qualified voters of [said] the district, and otherwise complying with the
                  provisions of this section in respect to an original issue of such bonds; provided, also that the lien for
                  taxes, for the payment of interest and principal for any bond issue, or for any indebtedness under any
                  contract with the United States for or with which bonds have not been deposited, shall be a prior lien
                  to that of any subsequent bond issue.
                      All bonds heretofore executed by any irrigation district wherein the proceedings for the
                  organization of such district and authorizing the issuance of such bonds have been approved and
                  confirmed by the district court of the judicial district within which such irrigation district is located,
                  are hereby confirmed and validated.
                      Section 58. Section 17A-2-716 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-716. Sale of bonds -- Use of funds.
                      The board may sell bonds from time to time in such quantities as may be necessary and most
                  advantageous to raise the money for the construction or purchase of canals, reservoir sites, reservoirs,
                  water rights and works, stock and irrigation, canal or reservoir companies, and otherwise fully to
                  carry out the objects and purposes of this part. Before making any sale the board shall at a meeting,
                  by resolution declare its intention to sell a specified amount of the bonds and the day and hour and

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                  place of such sale, and shall cause such resolution to be entered in the minutes, and notice of the sale
                  to be given by publication thereof at least 20 days in any daily newspaper published in the city of Salt
                  Lake, and in any other newspaper at their discretion. The notice shall state that sealed proposals will
                  be received by the board at its office, for the purchase of the bonds, till the day and hour named in
                  the resolution. At the time appointed the board shall open the proposals and award the purchase of
                  the bonds to the highest responsible bidder, or may reject all bids, provided that no proposal shall be
                  accepted which is not accompanied by a certified check for at least 10% of the amount of the bid to
                  apply on the purchase price of the bonds, the amount of which check shall be forfeited if after the
                  acceptance of the proposal the bidder [shall refuse] refuses to accept [said] the bonds and complete
                  [his] the purchase of the bonds on the conditions stated in [his] the bidder's proposal. In case no bid
                  is made and accepted as above provided the board of [directors] trustees, subject to the approval of
                  the state board of certification is hereby authorized to use [said] the bonds for the purchase of canals,
                  reservoir sites, reservoirs, water rights and works, stock of irrigation, canal, or reservoir companies;
                  or for the construction of any canal, reservoir and works or otherwise fully to carry out the purposes
                  of this part; provided that bids for all such construction work are first called for in accordance with
                  Section 17A-2-723 . The board shall make no sale of bonds either at public or private sale, or use
                  [said] the bonds for payment of construction work for less than the amount authorized by the state
                  board of certification.
                      Section 59. Section 17A-2-718 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-718. Trustees to determine amounts required for current years -- Establishment
                  of sinking funds and reserve funds -- Certification of amounts.
                      [It shall be the duty of the board of directors] The board of trustees shall, on or before July
                  1st of each year, [to] determine the amount of money required for the current year, [to] pay interest
                  on and all maturing installments of principal of any bonds, and warrants, and all payments due or to
                  become due to the United States under any contract between the district and the United States
                  accompanying which bonds of the district have not been deposited with the United States as in
                  Section 17A-2-711 , and all operation and maintenance or rental payments to be made by the district
                  to the United States under the provisions of any such contract between the United States and the

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                  district, and all water payments and all operation and maintenance or rental payments to be made by
                  the district to other entities under the provisions of any contract between the district and other
                  entities, and [to] meet the cost of any construction or reconstruction proposed to be covered by
                  annual assessments, and all maintenance, operating and current expenses, including the payment of
                  assessments upon stock of irrigation, canal, or reservoir companies owned by the district, and the
                  amount necessary to meet the obligations of local improvement districts, and [to] establish, keep, and
                  maintain sinking funds sufficient to assure the prompt payment of principal of and interest on the
                  bonds as principal and interest fall due, and reserve funds at the level required by any contract
                  between the district and the United States, and other entities; and [to] establish, keep and maintain
                  adequate reserve funds for depreciation, repairs, extensions and improvements to the works necessary
                  to assure adequate and efficient service, as determined by the board, and [to] certify to the county
                  legislative body of the county in which the office of [said] the district is located, [said] those amounts
                  together with such additional amount as may be necessary to meet any deficiencies theretofore
                  incurred, and if so provided in case of contract with the United States a further amount to cover any
                  deficit in payments due the United States thereunder which may have resulted from delinquent
                  assessments for any preceding year.
                      Section 60. Section 17A-2-719 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-719. Duty of county assessors -- Basis of valuation -- Uniformity -- Returns --
                  Apportionment in case of contracts with United States.
                      [It shall be the duty of the] The county assessor of [any] each county embracing the whole
                  or a part of any irrigation district [to] shall assess and enter upon [his] the assessor's record [as
                  assessor] in its appropriate column the assessment of all real estate, to which water has been allotted,
                  exclusive of improvements, situate, lying and being within any irrigation district in whole or in part
                  in such county. The assessor shall assess the lands on the basis of the value per acre-foot of water
                  allotted to the lands within the district; provided, that the board of [directors] trustees of any such
                  irrigation district may divide the district into units and fix a different value per acre-foot of water, or
                  other units of measurement, to cover the service, turnout, construction, distribution charges, or other
                  charges, if any, in the respective units, and in such case, the assessor shall assess the lands within each

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                  such unit upon the same basis of value per acre-foot of water, or other units of measurement, to cover
                  the service, turnout, construction, distribution charges, or other charges, if any, within such unit; and
                  the assessor shall enter on [his] the assessment roll the amount of special benefits assessed against
                  each tract of land within any local improvement district situate in the irrigation district as the same
                  is shown on the equalized benefit assessment roll of [said] the improvement district. Immediately
                  after [said] the assessment [shall have] has been extended as provided by law, the assessor shall make
                  returns of the total amount of such assessment to the county legislative body of the county in which
                  the office of [said] the district is located.
                      In case of contract with the United States, however, under the federal laws, the assessment
                  of real estate within the district may be otherwise apportioned in the following manner:
                      (1) It may be provided by contract with the United States that assessments shall conform to
                  the requirements of the federal reclamation laws now enacted or which may hereafter be enacted.
                      (2) It may be provided by contract with the United States that water shall be furnished to the
                  district, or to part of the irrigable lands thereof, upon a temporary rental basis, whereupon lands of
                  the district for which rental charges for any given year are not required to be paid to the United States
                  by the district shall not be taxed for such purposes.
                      (3) District lands shall not be taxed for purposes of payment to the United States in any year
                  when, and to the extent, on account of exceptional difficulties of reclamation, the district shall be
                  exempted by contract with the United States from [said] the payment to the United States for such
                  lands.
                      (4) The lands of any irrigation district may be by contract with the United States, divided into
                  units and placed upon a basis of repayment to the United States in successive units, which shall not
                  necessarily be composed of contiguous lands, and in such event the lands of units not yet, in any year,
                  placed upon the repayment basis shall not during such year be subject to taxation for payment of
                  building costs.
                      (5) In case lands, which shall have been irrigated by means of ditches, canals and reservoirs
                  constructed prior to the organization of any district shall be included within such district under the
                  terms of Section 17A-2-701 , equitable credit shall be given in the making of assessments for any

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                  water and ditch rights appurtenant to such lands, such adjustment shall be made by the board of
                  [directors] trustees of such irrigation district, which adjustment shall be equitably made so that the
                  cost of the additional rights, property, or benefits acquired by the district under contract from the
                  United States will be fairly and equitably apportioned between the lands having rights in such old
                  ditches, reservoirs or other works, and the lands of the district having no such rights, and due and
                  equitable allowance made to the lands to which any such rights may be appurtenant; provided, that
                  before making any such adjustment or allowance, the board of [directors] trustees shall publish notice
                  for a period of at least three weeks in a newspaper published in the county in which the greater
                  portion of the irrigable lands of the district are located or if there be no such newspaper published in
                  such county, then in some newspaper of general circulation in that county, which notice shall state
                  that a meeting of the board will be held for the purpose of making such adjustment and allowance,
                  and that all parties interested therein who desire to be heard on the matter will be given an
                  opportunity to appear and present evidence, and such notice shall state the date, the day and hour that
                  such meeting will be held and the place of meeting, and at the date and place provided in the notice
                  the board shall proceed to hear such evidence, if any be presented, and to make such adjustment or
                  allowance in the manner herein prescribed. After such adjustment and allowance by the board of
                  [directors] trustees, the board shall proceed in the manner prescribed in Sections 17A-2-749 ,
                  17A-2-750 , 17A-2-751 , 17A-2-752 , and 17A-2-753 to have such adjustment and allowance duly
                  confirmed by decree of court in similar manner to that provided in [said] those sections with reference
                  to confirmation of the bond issue, and the court shall proceed in like manner as provided in [said]
                  Sections 17A-2-749 , 17A-2-750 , 17A-2-751 , 17A-2-752 , and 17A-2-753 to examine into the
                  regularity of [said] the proceedings of the board and the equity of the adjustment or allowance made
                  by the board, and should the court find [said] the proceedings regular and [said] the allowance or
                  adjustment equitable, then the court shall file its findings and decree confirming the [said] allowance
                  and adjustment, but if the court [shall find] finds that such allowance and adjustment is not equitable,
                  then the court shall itself make an allowance and adjustment which shall be just and equitable as
                  between the various classes of lands in the district, and shall file a decree, confirming such
                  apportionment in like manner and with like effect as the findings and decree provided for in [said]

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                  Section 17A-2-753 , provided, that in no case shall any land be taxed for irrigation purposes under
                  this part, which from any natural cause cannot be irrigated, or is incapable of cultivation.
                      Section 61. Section 17A-2-720 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-720. Fixing tax levy -- Covering delinquencies -- All taxes special.
                      It shall be the duty of the county legislative body of the county in which is located the office
                  of any irrigation district, immediately upon receipt of the returns of the total assessment of [said] the
                  district, and upon the receipt of the certificate of the board of [directors] trustees certifying the total
                  amount of money required to be raised as herein provided, to fix the rate of levy necessary to provide
                  [said] the amount of money, including the amount required to pay the interest and principal of the
                  bonds of [said] the district as the same shall become due and all payments due or to become due to
                  the United States on contract accompanying which bonds of the district have not been deposited with
                  the United States as in Section 17A-2-711 ; and to fix the rate necessary to provide the amount of
                  money required for any local improvement district; also to fix the rate necessary to provide the
                  amount of money required for any other purposes as in this part provided, and which are to be raised
                  by the levy of assessments upon the real property of [said] the district and to certify [said] the
                  respective rates to the county legislative body of each county embracing any portion of [said] the
                  district. In fixing the rates of levy the basis shall be the total assessment returned for the district,
                  except that in the case of districts under contract with the United States, all amounts assessed against
                  land held by the county on district tax sales shall be excluded. The rates of levy as above determined
                  shall be increased 15% to cover delinquencies; except that in fixing the rate necessary to meet all
                  payments due or to become due under any contract with the United States such further and additional
                  increases above [said] 15% shall be made if so provided in [said] the contract as are sufficient to
                  cover any deficit that may have resulted from delinquent assessments for any preceding year. For the
                  purposes of [said] the district it shall be the duty of the county legislative body of each county in
                  which any irrigation district is located, in whole or in part, at the time of making levy for county
                  purposes, to make a levy at the rates above specified, upon all real estate in [said] the district within
                  their respective counties. It shall furthermore be the duty of the county legislative body of each
                  county embracing any portion of [said] the district when sitting as a board of equalization for general

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                  county taxes to equalize district taxes. All taxes levied under this part are special taxes.
                      Section 62. Section 17A-2-721 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-721. Duties of county treasurer -- Liability -- Secretary of district as treasurer
                  -- Accounts to be kept and methods of payments -- Deposit of funds.
                      The county treasurer of each county in which any irrigation district is located shall be liable
                  upon the treasurer's official bond and to indictment and criminal prosecution for malfeasance, or
                  failure to perform any duty as county treasurer as provided by law in other cases as county treasurer.
                  The treasurer shall collect, receive, and receipt for all moneys belonging to the district arising through
                  taxation. The county treasurer of each county in which any irrigation district is located shall, in whole
                  or in part, furnish each landowner under the district within the county with the valuation notice for
                  general taxes, and a separate notice of the taxable value for district taxes, and of the day fixed by the
                  board of equalization for hearing complaints, and collect and receipt for all taxes levied, but payment
                  of district taxes may be received and receipted for separately from taxes upon real estate for county
                  purposes. The county treasurer shall receive in payment of the general fund tax for the year in which
                  the taxes are levied, warrants drawn against the general fund the same as so much lawful money of
                  the United States, if the warrant does not exceed the amount of the general fund tax which the person
                  tendering it owes. The county treasurer shall receive in payment of the district bond fund taxes for
                  the year in which the taxes were levied, interest coupons or bonds of the irrigation district maturing
                  within the year the same as so much lawful money of the United States, if the interest coupons or
                  bonds do not exceed the amount of district bond fund tax which the person tendering them owes.
                  Except in case of contract obligation due to the United States as provided in Section 17A-2-717 , any
                  landowner may tender, and the county treasurer shall receive, money, bonds, or coupons of the
                  district equaling the landowner's proportion of the total issue of bonds of the district, with interest
                  to maturity, based on the proportion of the landowner's water allotment to the total final water
                  allotment of the district, and taxes for payment of the bonds or interest on the bonds of the district
                  may not subsequently be levied against the landowner. The county treasurer of each county
                  comprising a portion of the irrigation district shall, on the first Monday of each month, remit to the
                  district all moneys, warrants, coupons, or bonds previously collected or received on account of the

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                  district. The funds so remitted shall be deposited to the credit of the district by the secretary of the
                  district. The secretary of the district shall serve also as treasurer of the district, unless a treasurer is
                  otherwise provided by the board. The district shall keep a bond fund account, United States contract
                  fund account, local improvement fund accounts, reserve fund account and a general fund account.
                  The bond fund account shall consist of all moneys received on account of interest and principal of
                  bonds issued by the district, the accounts for interest and principal shall be kept separate, and the
                  United States contract fund account shall consist of all moneys received on account of any and all
                  payments due or to become due the United States accompanying which bonds of the district have not
                  been deposited with the United States as provided in Section 17A-2-711 . The local improvement
                  fund accounts shall consist of moneys received on account of local improvements of local
                  improvement district or districts respectively. The reserve fund account shall consist of funds required
                  contractually to be kept and maintained and for depreciation, repairs, extensions, and improvements
                  as determined by the board. The general fund shall consist of all other moneys or general fund
                  warrants received by the collection of taxes or otherwise. The district shall pay out of the bond fund,
                  when due, the interest and principal of the bonds of the district, at the time and place specified in the
                  bonds, and shall pay out of the United States contract under any fund when due all payments due to
                  the United States under any contract between the district and the United States accompanying which
                  bonds of the district have not been deposited with the United States as provided in Section
                  17A-2-711 , and shall pay out of the local improvement fund accounts respectively, all obligations of
                  local improvement districts as they become due, and shall pay out of the reserve fund those amounts
                  contractually to be paid from it and repairs, extensions, and improvement charges for which the
                  reserve funds were provided.
                      In cases where bonds have been deposited with the United States as provided in this part, the
                  moneys to be paid to the United States for rentals or operation and maintenance charges, if not
                  secured by bonds, shall be paid out of the general fund account along with all other construction,
                  operation, and maintenance charges of the district for which no reserve funds exist. The district shall
                  pay out of the general fund only upon the order of the board of [directors] trustees of the district,
                  signed by the [president] chair or other [director] trustee authorized by the board and countersigned

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                  by the secretary of the district. All district taxes collected and paid to county treasurers as provided
                  shall be received by the treasurers in their official capacity, and they shall be responsible for the
                  safekeeping and remittance of the taxes to the district the same as for other moneys collected by them
                  as treasurers. County treasurers shall receive as sole compensation for the collection of the taxes the
                  amount allowed by the board of [directors] trustees, which is in addition to the regular salary of the
                  county treasurers as provided by law. The district may deposit the district funds with any bank or
                  trust company.
                      Section 63. Section 17A-2-723 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-723. Construction -- Notice -- Awarding contracts -- Contractor's bonds.
                      After adopting a plan for the construction of canals, reservoirs, and works, the board of
                  [directors] trustees shall give notice thereof by publication in the county in which the principal office
                  of the district is located at least once not less than ten days prior to the expiration of the period in
                  which bids shall be received, and such other notice as they [may deem] consider advisable calling for
                  bids for the furnishing of material or construction of [said] the work or any portion thereof. If less
                  than the whole work is advertised, then the portion so advertised must be particularly described in
                  such notice; [said] the notice shall set forth that plans and specifications, or specifications alone where
                  there are no plans, may be seen at the office of the board, and that the board will receive sealed
                  proposals therefor, and that the contract will be let to the lowest responsible bidder, stating the time
                  and the place for opening the proposal which at [said] that time and place shall be opened in public,
                  and as soon as convenient thereafter the board shall let [said] the work, either in portions or as a
                  whole, or award and order for materials, to the lowest responsible bidder, or it may reject any or all
                  bids, and thereupon readvertise for proposals, or proceed to construct the work under its own
                  superintendence. Contracts for the purchase of material shall be awarded to the lowest responsible
                  bidder unless all bids are rejected or the board determines to readvertise for bids. The person or
                  persons to whom a contract may be awarded shall enter into a bond, with good and sufficient sureties,
                  to be approved by the board, payable to [said] the district for not less than 25% of the amount of the
                  contract price and conditioned for the faithful performance of [said] the contract, but no such bond
                  need be required by the board where materials are contracted for the bond requirement. The work

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                  shall be done under the direction and to the satisfaction of the engineer in charge, and be approved
                  by the board, and shall be paid for out of the general fund account; provided, that the provisions of
                  this section shall not apply in the case of any contract between the district and the United States.
                  Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prohibit the district from purchasing material or doing
                  any work required by it without advertising for bids and without the letting of a contract where the
                  estimated cost of such work or such material does not exceed $30,000 or in cases of emergencies the
                  board of [directors] trustees may let contracts for the work required in the emergency without
                  advertising for bids or may cause such work to be done by the district itself.
                      Section 64. Section 17A-2-724 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-724. Claims -- Manner of payment -- Registry of warrants -- Emergency loans.
                      No claims shall be paid by the district until the same shall have been allowed by the board, and
                  then only upon warrants signed by the [president] chair, or other [director] trustee authorized by the
                  board, and countersigned by the secretary, which warrants shall state the date authorized by the board
                  and for what purpose; and if the district has not sufficient money on hand to pay such warrant when
                  it is presented for payment, the secretary or treasurer of the district shall endorse thereon "Not paid
                  for want of funds; this warrant draws interest from date of presentation at 6% per annum," and
                  endorse thereon the date when so presented, over [his] the secretary or treasurer's signature, and from
                  the time of such presentation until paid such warrant shall draw interest at the rate of 6% per annum;
                  provided, when there is more than the sum of $100 in the hands of the district it shall be applied upon
                  [said] the warrant. All claims against the district shall be verified as required in the case of claims
                  filed against counties in this state, and the secretary of the district is hereby authorized and
                  empowered to administer oaths to the parties verifying [said] the claims, as the county clerk or a
                  notary public might do. The district shall keep a register in which shall be entered[,] each warrant,
                  to whom payable, the date of the presentation for payment, the date of payment, and the amount paid
                  in redemption thereof, and all warrants shall be paid in the order of their presentation for payment to
                  the district. All warrants shall be drawn payable to the claimant or bearer in the same manner as
                  county warrants. The district is also authorized to pay claims against the district by checks signed
                  by the [president] chair, or other [director] trustee authorized by the board, and countersigned by the

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                  secretary. To meet necessary expenses in anticipation of the collection of taxes, the board of
                  [directors] trustees may incur indebtedness by borrowing money or otherwise, not exceeding the
                  taxes for the current year, and as evidence of such indebtedness may issue negotiable notes of the
                  district, payable in not more than one year from date thereof. In case of a break in the reservoir or
                  canal or other disaster, the board of [directors] trustees is authorized to borrow money and make the
                  necessary repairs.
                      Section 65. Section 17A-2-726 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-726. Compensation of officials -- Prohibitions -- Penalties.
                      [Each member of the board of directors shall receive compensation for his services, not in
                  excess of $1,000 per annum, to] The salary of the secretary, manager, engineer, and other officers
                  and employees shall be fixed by the board[, payable monthly, and his actual and necessary traveling
                  expenses while engaged in official business. The salary of the secretary, manager, engineer and other
                  officers and employees shall be fixed by the board of directors] of trustees. No director or any officer
                  named in this part shall, in any manner be interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract awarded
                  or to be awarded by the board, or in the profits to be derived therefrom; nor shall receive any bonds,
                  gratuity, or bribe, and for any violation of this provision, such officer shall be [deemed] considered
                  guilty of a felony, and upon conviction therefor he shall forfeit [his] office, and be punished by a fine
                  not exceeding $5,000, or by imprisonment in the penitentiary for a term of not less than one or more
                  than five years.
                      Section 66. Section 17A-2-727 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-727. Debt limit -- Interest on warrants.
                      The board of [directors] trustees, or other officers of the district, [shall have no power to]
                  may not incur any debt or liability whatever, either by issuing bonds or otherwise, in excess of the
                  express provisions of this part, and any debt or liability incurred in excess of such express provisions
                  shall be and remain absolutely void; provided, however, that the district shall assume the expense
                  incurred in its organization and may incur additional indebtedness for the conduct of its business until
                  bonds are sold or returns from first district taxes are received, which additional indebtedness, together
                  with such expense assumed, shall not exceed $3 per acre of land embraced within the district; such

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                  indebtedness shall be the general obligation of the district and the board of [directors] trustees may
                  cause warrants or notes of the district to issue therefor, bearing interest not exceeding 7% per annum.
                  [Said] Those warrants or notes shall be payable not later than the 1st day of January following the
                  receipt of the first district taxes levied and collected and the board of [directors] trustees of the
                  district shall include in their first annual budget for the ensuing year the amount necessary to liquidate
                  all such outstanding warrants, or notes.
                      Section 67. Section 17A-2-728 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-728. Distribution of water.
                      In case the volume of water in any canal, reservoir, or other works in any district [shall] is not
                  [be] sufficient to supply the continual wants of the entire district lands susceptible of irrigation
                  therefrom, then [it shall be the duty of] the board of [directors to] trustees shall distribute all available
                  waters upon certain or alternate days to different localities, as they may in their judgment think best
                  for the interest of all parties concerned. All water, however, the right to the use of which is acquired
                  by the district under any contract with the United States shall be distributed and apportioned by the
                  district in accordance with the acts of Congress, rules and regulations established thereunder and the
                  provisions of [said] the contract in relation thereto.
                      Section 68. Section 17A-2-731 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-731. Petition for inclusion.
                      The holder or holders of title, or evidence of title, representing a majority of the acreage of
                  any body of land in the vicinity of the lands in any irrigation district, may file with the board of
                  [directors] trustees of [said] the district a petition in writing, praying that such lands be included in
                  such district. The petition shall describe the tracts, or body of land owned by the petitioners, and the
                  proposed method of supplying water thereto, but such description of the lands need not be more
                  particular than is required, when such lands are entered by the county assessor in the assessment
                  book. Such petition shall be [deemed] considered to give the assent of the petitioners to the inclusion
                  in [said] the district of the lands described in the petition, and such petition must be acknowledged
                  in the same manner that conveyances of land are required to be acknowledged.
                      Section 69. Section 17A-2-732 is amended to read:

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                       17A-2-732. Notice of application -- Procedure -- Time -- Costs.
                      (1) (a) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), the secretary of the board of [directors]
                  trustees shall cause notice of the filing of a petition under Section 17A-2-731 to be given as provided
                  in Section 17A-2-702 .
                      (ii) The notice shall:
                      (A) state the filing of such petition and the names of the petitioners, a description of the lands
                  mentioned in [said] the petition, and the prayer of the petitioners; and
                      (B) notify all persons interested to appear at the office of the board at a time named in the
                  notice and show cause, in writing, why the petition should not be granted.
                      (iii) The time specified in the notice under Subsection (1)(a)(ii)(B) shall be the regular
                  meeting of the board next after the expiration of the time for the publication of the notice.
                      (b) If a petition under Section 17A-2-731 has been signed by all the owners of real property
                  within the area proposed for inclusion and contains their addresses:
                      (i) the requirement under Subsection (1)(a)(i) to give notice of the petition as provided in
                  Section 17A-2-702 does not apply;
                      (ii) the meeting at which the board will consider the petition may not occur until the next
                  regular meeting of the board that is at least seven days after mailing the notice under Subsection
                  (1)(b)(iii); and
                      (iii) the secretary of the board of [directors] trustees shall give the owners written notice
                  through the United States mail, addressed to the address specified in the petition under Section
                  17A-2-731 , of the date, time, and place of the meeting of the board where the board will consider the
                  petition.
                      (2) The petitioner or petitioners shall advance to the secretary sufficient money to pay the
                  estimated cost of all proceedings under such petition before the secretary shall be required to give
                  notice required under this section.
                      Section 70. Section 17A-2-733 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-733. Hearing on petition.
                      The board of [directors] trustees, at the time and place mentioned in [said] the notice, or at

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                  the time or times to which the hearing of [said] the petition [may have] has been adjourned, shall
                  proceed to hear the petition and all objections thereto, presented in writing by any person, showing
                  cause as aforesaid, why [said] the petition should not be granted. The failure of any person interested
                  to show cause, in writing, as aforesaid, shall be [deemed and taken as an] considered as the person's
                  assent [on his part] to the inclusion of such lands in [said] the district as prayed for in [said] the
                  petition.
                      Section 71. Section 17A-2-740 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-740. Petition for exclusion.
                      The owner or owners of any lands constituting a portion of any irrigation district may file with
                  the board of [directors] trustees of the district a petition praying that such lands may be excluded and
                  taken from [said] the district. The petition shall describe the lands which the petitioners desire to
                  have excluded, and the description of such lands shall be with the same particularity that is required
                  when lands are entered in the assessment book by the county assessor. Such petition [must] shall be
                  acknowledged in the same manner and form as is required in case of a conveyance of land.
                      Section 72. Section 17A-2-741 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-741. Notice of petition -- Objections.
                      The secretary of the board of [directors] trustees shall cause a notice of the filing of such
                  petition to be published as in Section 17A-2-702 provided; or if no newspaper be published as therein
                  provided, then by posting such notice for the same time in at least three public places in [said] the
                  district, and in case of the posting of [said] those notices, one of [said] the notices [must] shall be so
                  posted on the lands proposed to be excluded. The notice shall state the filing of such petition, the
                  names of the petitioners, description of the lands mentioned in [said] the petition, and the prayer of
                  [said] the petitioners; and it shall notify all persons interested to appear at the office of [said] the
                  board at a time named in [said] the notice, and show cause in writing, if any they have, why [said] the
                  petition should not be granted. The time to be specified in the notice at which they shall be required
                  to show cause shall be the regular meeting of the board next after the expiration of the time for the
                  publication of the notice. The petitioner or petitioners shall advance to the secretary sufficient money
                  to pay the estimated cost of all proceedings under such petition before the secretary shall give such

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                  notice.
                      Section 73. Section 17A-2-742 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-742. Hearings by board -- Assent by petitioners.
                      The board of [directors] trustees at the time and place mentioned in the notice, or at the time
                  or times to which the hearing of [said] the petition may be adjourned, shall proceed to hear the
                  petition and all objections thereto, presented in writing by any person showing cause as aforesaid why
                  the prayer of [said] petition should not be granted. The filing of such petition with such board as
                  aforesaid, shall be [deemed and taken] considered as an assent by each and all such petitioners to the
                  exclusion from such district of the lands mentioned in the petition, or any part of [said] those lands.
                      Section 74. Section 17A-2-743 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-743. Exclusion of lands, when -- Contracts with the United States.
                      The board of [directors] trustees, if they [deem] consider it not for the best interest of the
                  district that the lands mentioned in the petition, or some portion thereof, should be excluded from
                  [said] the district, shall order that [said] the petition be denied; but if they [deem] consider it for the
                  best interest of the district that the lands mentioned in the petition, or some portion thereof, be
                  excluded from the district, and if there are no outstanding bonds of the district, then the board may
                  order the lands mentioned in the petition, or some defined portion thereof, excluded from the district;
                  provided, however, that the board shall require as a condition precedent to the granting of such
                  petition that the petitioners shall severally pay to such district their pro rata share of the outstanding
                  obligations and indebtedness of the district provided, if within 30 days from the making of such order
                  a majority of the landowners of the district protest in writing to [said] the board against the exclusion
                  of such lands from [said] the district, [said] the order shall be held for naught and such lands shall not
                  be excluded therefrom; provided, further, that in case contract has been made between the district and
                  the United States, no lands shall be excluded from [said] the district unless the United States shall
                  assent thereto in writing and such assent be filed with the board of [directors] trustees.
                      Section 75. Section 17A-2-744 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-744. Filings with county clerk and recorder.
                      Upon the allowance of such petition and in case no protest has been filed with the board

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                  within 30 days after the entry of [said] the order as aforesaid, a certified copy of the order of the
                  board of [directors] trustees making such change and a plat of such district showing such change,
                  certified by the [president] chair and secretary, shall be filed for record in the office of the clerk of the
                  county in which the office of the district is located and with the recorder of each county in which
                  lands of the district are situate, and the district shall remain an irrigation district as fully to every intent
                  and purpose as if the lands which are excluded by the change as aforesaid had not been excluded
                  therefrom.
                      Section 76. Section 17A-2-745 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-745. Division of districts -- Representation.
                      At least 30 days before the next general election of such district the board of [directors]
                  trustees thereof shall make an order dividing such district into three divisions as nearly equal in size
                  as may be practicable, which shall be numbered first, second and third, and one [director] trustee shall
                  be elected from each division.
                      Section 77. Section 17A-2-746 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-746. Dissolution of district -- Election -- Procedure.
                      Whenever landowners representing a majority of the number of acre-feet of water allotted to
                  the lands in any irrigation district organized, or hereafter to be organized, under this part, [shall]
                  petition the board of [directors] trustees to call a special election[,] for the purpose of submitting to
                  the landowners of [said] the irrigation district a proposition to vote on the dissolution of [said] the
                  irrigation district, setting forth in [said] the petition that all bills and claims of every nature                   whatsoever
                  have been fully satisfied and paid, [it shall be the duty of said directors] the trustees shall, if they
                  [shall be] are satisfied that all claims and bills have been fully satisfied, [to] call an election, setting
                  forth the object of [said] the election, and [to] cause notice of [said] the election to be published, as
                  in Section 17A-2-702 , setting forth the time and place for holding [said] the election in each of the
                  three voting precincts in [said] the district. [It] The trustees shall also [be the duty of the directors
                  to] prepare ballots to be used at [said] the election on which shall be written or printed the words:
                  "For Dissolution -- Yes," and "For Dissolution -- No," provided, that in case contract has been made
                  between the district and the United States the board shall have no jurisdiction to consider any such

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                  petition for dissolution of the district, no such special election shall be held, and such district shall not
                  be disorganized or declared disorganized until it shall have been certified to the board of [directors]
                  trustees by the United States that all payments and obligations due or to become due to the United
                  States under such contract have been fully paid or that the United States consents to such dissolution.
                      Section 78. Section 17A-2-747 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-747. Returns and canvass of election.
                      The board of [directors] trustees shall name a day for canvassing the returns of election, and
                  if it [shall appear] appears that a majority of the votes cast are "For Dissolution -- Yes," then [it shall
                  be the duty of said] the board of [directors to] trustees shall declare [said] the district to be
                  disorganized, and shall certify to the county clerk of the county in which the office of the district is
                  located, stating the number of signers to [said] the petition and the number of acre-feet of water
                  allotted to them; that [said] the election was called and set for the _____ day of ________ month of
                  _____ year, that [said] the election was held and that so many votes (stating the number) had been
                  cast for, and that so many votes (stating the number) had been cast against [said] the proposition;
                  [said] the certificates to bear the seal of the district, and the signatures of the [president] chair and
                  secretary of [said] the board of [directors] trustees. And it shall be the duty of [said] the clerk to have
                  such certificate recorded with the county recorder of the respective counties embracing any lands of
                  the district. Should it appear that a majority of the votes cast at [said] the election were "For
                  Dissolution -- No," then the board of directors shall declare the proposition lost and shall cause the
                  result and the vote to be made a part of the records of [said] the irrigation district.
                      Section 79. Section 17A-2-748 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-748. Irrigation district's failure to function -- Dissolution -- Increase of
                  assessment -- Lien and tax sale.
                      If after its organization [a water conservation] an irrigation district [shall fail] fails to function
                  as provided by this part for a period of three years after the notice issued by the county legislative
                  body and a majority of the owners of acre-feet of water allotted to such district shall evidence a desire
                  to dissolve the district by the filing of a petition for that purpose with the board of [directors, it shall
                  be the duty of] trustees, the board of [directors to] trustees shall file a petition with the district court

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                  requesting the dissolution of the district. Upon the filing of such petition the court shall give such
                  notice regarding the hearing thereof as it [shall deem] considers necessary and shall proceed to hear
                  all objections against such dissolution. If no bonds have been issued or other obligations incurred
                  which may not be paid by a pro rata assessment against the landowners within [said] the district, or
                  if no contract has been entered into with the United States or other persons which cannot be
                  abrogated or the value of which cannot be assessed as liquidated damages, the court shall order a
                  dissolution of the district upon the payment by each person therein of his pro rata share of the
                  obligations of the district, provided that if it shall appear to the court that there are lands within the
                  district the value of which will not satisfy such pro rata share, then assessment against the remaining
                  lands shall be increased in an amount sufficient to repay the total obligations of the district. If any
                  landowner [shall fail] fails to pay the amounts so assessed [against him], such amount shall be a prior
                  lien against [his] the landowner's land and the same shall be sold by court order as upon a tax sale as
                  provided in Section 17A-2-722 , and the proceeds of the sale shall be applied toward the payment of
                  the amount assessed against him. In such proceeding for dissolution the court shall have power to
                  adjust the obligations of the district, allotment of benefits, and other matters affecting the property
                  of the landowners.
                      Section 80. Section 17A-2-749 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-749. Special proceedings for judicial examination.
                      The board of [directors of a water conservation] trustees of an irrigation district organized
                  under the provisions of this part may commence special proceedings, in and by which all proceedings
                  had in the organization of the district or in and by which its acts and the acts of the district in
                  authorizing the issue and sale of the bonds of [said] the district or providing for the authorization of
                  contract with the United States and the validity of such contract, whether [said] the bonds or any of
                  them have or have not been sold or disposed of, or such contract or proposed contract shall or shall
                  not have been actually signed by the United States or the district, may be judicially examined,
                  approved and confirmed.
                      Section 81. Section 17A-2-750 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-750. Petition for confirmation.

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                      The board of [directors of a water conservation] trustees of an irrigation district shall file in
                  the district court of the county in which the lands of the district, or some portion thereof, are situate,
                  a petition praying, in effect, that the proceedings aforesaid may be examined, approved and confirmed
                  by the court. The petition in case bonds or a contract with the United States has been authorized
                  shall state the facts showing the proceedings had for the issue and sale of [said] the bonds, or for the
                  authorization of contract with the United States, as the case may be, and shall state generally that the
                  [water conservation] irrigation district was duly organized, and that the first board of [directors]
                  trustees was duly elected, but the petition need not state the facts showing such organization of the
                  district, or the election of [said] the first board of [directors] trustees.
                      Section 82. Section 17A-2-751 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-751. Notice -- Contest -- Time for hearing.
                      The court shall fix the time for the hearing of [said] the petition and shall order the clerk of
                  the court to give and publish notice of the filing of [said] the petition. The notice shall be given and
                  published as in Section 17A-2-702 . The notice shall state the time and place fixed for the hearing of
                  the petition and the prayer of the petitioners, and that any person interested in the organization of
                  [said] the district, or in the proceedings for the issue or sale of [said] the bonds, or in the making of
                  contract with the United States, may, on or before the day fixed for the hearing of [said] the petition,
                  demur to or answer [said] the petition. The petition may be referred to and described in [said] the
                  notice as the petition of the board of [directors] trustees of _______ [water conservation] irrigation
                  district (giving its name) praying that the proceedings for the issue and sale of [said] the bonds of
                  [said] the district, or that the proceedings for the contract with the United States, or the proceedings
                  had for the organization of [said] the district and the validity thereof, be examined, approved and
                  confirmed by the court.
                      Section 83. Section 17A-2-752 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-752. Parties -- Appearances -- Practice and procedure.
                      Any person interested in [said] the district, or in the issue or sale of [said] the bonds, or in the
                  making of contract with the United States, may demur to or answer [said] the petition. The
                  provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure respecting the demurrer and answer to a verified complaint

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                  shall be applicable to a demurrer and answer to [said] the petition. The person so demurring or
                  answering [said] the petition shall be the defendant to the special proceedings, and the board of
                  [directors] trustees shall be the plaintiff. Every material statement of the petition not specifically
                  controverted by the answer shall, for the purpose of [said] the special proceedings, be taken as true,
                  and each person failing to answer the petition shall be [deemed] considered to admit as true all the
                  material statements of the petition. The rules of pleading and practice relating to appeals and writs
                  of error provided by the [Code] Rules of Civil Procedure which are not inconsistent with the
                  provisions of this part are applicable to the special proceedings herein provided for.
                      Section 84. Section 17A-2-754 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-754. Transfer of water rights -- Notice to landowners.
                      The board of [directors] trustees of any irrigation district, with the consent of the bondholders
                  and other creditors, [shall have authority to] may sell, transfer, and convey the water rights and all
                  or any other property belonging to the district to any irrigation company; provided, however, that no
                  such sale, transfer, or conveyance shall be made until notice of the intention of [said] the board to
                  make the same shall have been published, as in Section 17A-2-702 , and mailed to each landowner in
                  the district at his last known address at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the time fixed for
                  protest, and provided further that no such sale, transfer, or conveyance shall be made if within 30
                  days from the last publication of such notice the owners of [one-third] 1/3 of the acre-feet of water
                  allotted in [said] the district file with [said] the board their written protest against such sale, transfer,
                  or conveyance.
                      Section 85. Section 17A-2-756 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-756. Inclusion of state lands.
                      (1) Lands belonging to the state not under contract of sale may be included in any irrigation
                  district upon petition by the state entity responsible for the administration of the affected lands for
                  the inclusion of those lands.
                      (2) No such state lands included within any legally organized irrigation district shall ever be
                  assessed, nor shall any of the preceding sections relative to the levying and collection of assessments
                  and taxes apply.

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                      (3) The entity responsible for the administration of the affected lands and the state engineer
                  shall make a thorough examination as to the benefits to accrue to these lands by reason of the
                  inclusion of the lands in the irrigation district, and by reason of the acquiring of water rights for the
                  lands.
                      (4) (a) The entity responsible for the administration of the affected lands may enter into
                  contract with the board of [directors] trustees of the irrigation district, specifying by legal subdivisions
                  the land [benefited] benefitted and the amount of benefit to accrue to each tract of land.
                      (b) The contract shall provide that annual payments shall be made to the district, to be applied
                  on the cost of constructing the irrigation works for the district, until the full amount of the benefit
                  is paid.
                      (c) The entity responsible for the administration of the affected lands has the option to pay
                  the full amount of the contract at any time, upon any or all of the legal subdivisions.
                      Section 86. Section 17A-2-757 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-757. Special-benefit construction -- Terms -- Costs.
                      Any drain, ditch, canal, or drainage system, or any other desired special construction,
                  reconstruction, betterment, or improvement for the special benefit of particular lands lying within an
                  irrigation district, may be constructed and provision made to meet the cost thereof, as follows: The
                  holders of title or evidence of title of one-quarter of the acreage proposed to be assessed for any such
                  improvement may file with the board of [directors] trustees of the irrigation district a petition in
                  writing, setting out the nature and general plan of the desired improvement, and specifying the lands
                  proposed to be specially assessed therefor. Such petition shall be accompanied with a bond in such
                  sum and with surety or sureties as may be required by [said] the board of [directors] trustees,
                  conditioned that the petitioners will pay the cost of the investigation of the proposed improvement
                  and of the hearing on the petition if the same be not allowed. Upon the filing of such petition the
                  board of [directors] trustees, with the assistance of a competent engineer, shall make an investigation
                  of the feasibility, cost, and need of the proposed local improvement together with the ability of the
                  land to pay such cost, and if same appears feasible they shall have plans and estimate of the cost
                  thereof prepared. If the cost [shall appear] appears to the board to exceed the benefits to accrue

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                  therefrom, or if the lands proposed to be embraced within the local improvement district shall be
                  found to be insufficient security for the return of the cost, or if a protest against the establishment of
                  the proposed improvement signed by a majority of the holders of title to lands in the proposed local
                  improvement district be presented at or prior to the hearing hereinafter provided for, or if in other
                  respects the proposed local improvement district shall be found not feasible, the board shall dismiss
                  the petition at the expense of the petitioners.
                      Section 87. Section 17A-2-758 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-758. Local improvement districts.
                      In the event the [said] board shall find the proposed local improvement feasible, it shall
                  approve the petition, fix a time and place for the hearing thereof, and shall publish notice thereof, as
                  in Section 17A-2-702 , stating that the certain lands, describing them, are proposed to be organized
                  as a local improvement district and stating generally the nature of the proposed improvements; that
                  warrants for such local improvement are proposed to be issued as the warrants of the irrigation
                  district; and that the lands within [said] the local improvement district are to be assessed for such
                  improvement. At the time and place of hearing named in [said] the notice all persons interested may
                  appear before the board and show cause for or against the formation of the proposed improvement
                  district and the issuance of warrants as aforesaid. Upon the hearing the board shall determine
                  whether or not the proposed local improvement district shall be established. Any landowner whose
                  lands can be served or will be [benefited] benefitted by the proposed improvement may make
                  application to the board at the time of hearing to include such lands, and the board of [directors]
                  trustees in such case may, at their discretion, include such lands within such district. The board of
                  [directors] trustees may exclude any land specified in [said] the notice from [said] the district,
                  provided that in the judgment of the board the inclusion thereof will not be practicable.
                      Section 88. Section 17A-2-759 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-759. Establishment -- Limit as to costs -- Authorization -- Construction
                  warrants -- Orders.
                      If the board [shall determine] determines in favor of the improvement it shall enter an order
                  establishing the improvement district and shall list and plat lands included therein, and shall adopt

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                  plans for the proposed improvement, estimate the cost, and determine the number of equal annual
                  installments, in which the cost of [said] the improvement shall be paid; provided, however, that no
                  local improvement, the cost of which will exceed $10,000 and be less than $25,000, [shall] may be
                  undertaken unless such improvement [shall] is first [be] authorized and ratified, in writing, by a
                  majority of the landowners within the local improvement district; nor [shall] may any improvement
                  the cost of which will exceed $25,000 be undertaken unless first authorized and ratified, in writing,
                  by a two-thirds majority of the landowners within the local improvement district, and not then if
                  protests, in writing, signed by landowners of the irrigation district having a majority of the votes
                  according to the number of votes cast at the last election, be submitted within 30 days after
                  completion of publication of notice of the proposed improvement, published as in Section 17A-2-702 .
                  The cost of such improvement shall be paid by the issuance of the warrants of the district, from time
                  to time, therefor, either directly for the payment of the labor and material or for the securing of the
                  funds for such purposes. [Said] The warrants shall bear interest at a rate of not to exceed 7% per
                  annum, payable semiannually, and shall state upon their face that they are issued as warrants of the
                  irrigation district for the benefit of the local improvement district within [said] the irrigation district,
                  that all lands within [said] the local improvement district shall be primarily liable to assessment for
                  the principal and interest of [said] the warrants, and that such warrants are also a general obligation
                  of [said] the district. No warrant [shall] may be issued in denomination exceeding $500 and no
                  warrant shall be sold for less than par. A copy of the order establishing any local improvement
                  district, together with list and plat of lands included, certified by the [president] chair and secretary,
                  shall be filed and recorded in accordance with the provisions of Section 17A-2-705 relating to the
                  filing and recording of the order declaring the organization of the irrigation district.
                      Section 89. Section 17A-2-760 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-760. Assessment of damages and benefits -- Board of equalization.
                      The board of [directors] trustees shall, as soon as may be after the establishment of a local
                  improvement district, view each tract of land within the district, and shall carefully consider the
                  benefits and damages that each particular tract of land will receive from the construction and
                  maintenance of such local improvement and assess each tract of land in accordance with the benefits

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                  received by it, making proper allowance for damages if there be any. After such assessment is made
                  up the secretary of the board of [directors] trustees shall transmit the same to the county legislative
                  body and the county legislative body shall cause notice to be sent by mail to each landowner in the
                  local improvement district of the amount of benefits assessed against the landowner's land [owned
                  by him] within the local improvement district, and shall state therein the time and place when the
                  county legislative body shall meet as a board of equalization to hear and determine complaints made
                  against such assessment. The county legislative body shall sit as a board of equalization of local
                  improvement district benefits and shall equalize and finally determine the assessment to be made and
                  levied upon each tract of land within the local improvement district, in the manner provided for by
                  law for equalizing state and county taxes, and shall thereupon certify the same to the county assessor
                  of each county within which any part of [said] the local improvement district is located, who shall
                  enter the same in the tax rolls.
                      Section 90. Section 17A-2-761 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-761. Validation of the creation and organization of irrigation districts and of
                  district elections.
                      All proceedings that have been adopted and actions taken before March 16, 1987, under
                  authority of [Chapter 2, Part 7] this part, purporting to create any irrigation district or purporting to
                  provide for the inclusion of any additional area in any irrigation district, including all petitions filed
                  and all notices given, published, and mailed in connection with any such creation and any inclusion,
                  are validated, ratified, and confirmed, notwithstanding any failure to comply with any one or more
                  pertinent statutory provisions, and each irrigation district so created or enlarged is declared to be a
                  validly created and existing district. All proceedings and actions taken with respect to the
                  appointment, election, and organization of a board of [directors] trustees and officers for each
                  irrigation district are validated, ratified, and confirmed and each board of [directors] trustees is
                  declared to be the de facto and de jure governing body of its respective irrigation district.
                      Section 91. Section 17A-2-767 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-767. Default of district -- Court procedure.
                      If, after the issuance and sale of bonds, warrants, or other evidence of debt by any irrigation

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                  district, such district [shall] for any reason[, become] becomes insolvent, and [fail] fails to maintain
                  a board of [directors] trustees, or other organization as herein provided, and [shall] for more than two
                  years [fail] fails to pay its bonded indebtedness, or interest thereon, or its other indebtedness, after
                  the same [shall become] becomes due and payable, the district court of the county wherein such
                  irrigation district, or the major portion thereof, is situate, shall, by virtue of its general equity powers,
                  have jurisdiction to appoint a commissioner to take charge of the property of such irrigation district,
                  sell and dispose of the same for the benefit of creditors and close the affairs of the district under the
                  orders and directions of [said] the district court.
                      Section 92. Section 17A-2-768 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-768. Effect of repeals construed -- Procedure against defaulting members.
                      The repeal by the Revised Statutes of sections 2403-2427, both inclusive, of the Compiled
                  Laws of Utah, 1888, shall not be construed to affect the existence of any district or company
                  organized under the aforesaid sections; but any such company or district shall, notwithstanding such
                  repeal, continue in existence with all the rights, privileges, and limitations heretofore conferred or
                  imposed upon it by law until disincorporated or dissolved according to law. In any case in which an
                  irrigation company or district [shall have] has a right of action against a delinquent member of such
                  company or district for the nonpayment of taxes voted according to law the board of [directors]
                  trustees thereof may proceed to sell the interest of such member in the canals or ditches of such
                  company or district and his right to the use of the water flowing therein.
                      Section 93. Section 17A-2-801 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-801. Short title.
                      This act shall be known as the "Metropolitan Water District Act" and shall apply to the
                  incorporation, organization, government, maintenance and operation of the water districts herein
                  provided for and described, and to the board of [directors] trustees herein referred to.
                      Section 94. Section 17A-2-802 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-802. Definitions.
                      As used [herein the term "municipality"] in this part:
                      (1) "Municipality" or "city" [shall be deemed to mean and include] means and includes any

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                  incorporated city or town of the state [of Utah].
                      [The terms "board"] (2) "Board" and "board of [directors" shall be deemed to refer] trustees"
                  refers to the board of [directors] trustees created under Section 17A-2-819 .
                      (3) [The term "governing body" as used herein shall be deemed to mean] "Governing body"
                  means the legislative body of any municipality.
                      [The term "public] (4) "Public corporation" [as used herein shall be deemed to mean and
                  include] means and includes the United States or any public agency thereof, this or any other state
                  or any political district or subdivision thereof.
                      Section 95. Section 17A-2-818 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-818. Powers of incorporated districts -- Preferential right of city to purchase
                  water.
                      (1) (a) Any district incorporated as provided in this part may:
                      (i) have perpetual succession;
                      (ii) sue and be sued in all actions and proceedings and in all courts and tribunals of competent
                  jurisdiction;
                      (iii) adopt a corporate seal and alter it;
                      (iv) take by grant, purchase, bequest, devise, or lease, and hold, enjoy, lease, sell, encumber,
                  alienate, or otherwise dispose of, water, waterworks, water rights, and sources of water supply, and
                  any real and personal property of any kind within or without the district and within and without Utah
                  necessary or convenient to the full exercise of its powers;
                      (v) acquire, construct, or operate, control, and use works, facilities, and means necessary or
                  convenient to the exercise of its powers, both within and without the district and within and without
                  Utah; and
                      (vi) perform any and all things necessary or convenient to the full exercise of the powers
                  granted under this section.
                      (b) (i) Any district incorporated as provided in this part may have and exercise the power of
                  eminent domain and, in the manner provided by law for the condemnation of private property for
                  public use, take any property necessary to the exercise of the powers granted under this section.

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                      (ii) In any proceeding relative to the exercise of the power of eminent domain, the district has
                  the same rights, powers, and privileges as a municipal corporation.
                      (2) (a) Any district incorporated as provided in this part may:
                      (i) construct and maintain works and establish and maintain facilities across or along any
                  public street or highway and in, upon, or over any vacant public lands, that are now, or may become,
                  the property of the state, other than those lands defined in Subsection 53C-1-103 (6); and
                      (ii) construct works and establish and maintain facilities across any stream of water or
                  watercourse if the district promptly restores the street or highway to its former state of usefulness as
                  nearly as may be and does not use the street or highway in a manner that completely or unnecessarily
                  impairs the usefulness of it.
                      (b) (i) In the use of streets, the district is subject to the reasonable rules and regulations
                  concerning excavations and the refilling of excavations, the relaying of pavements and the protection
                  of the public during periods of construction of the county or municipality in which the streets are
                  located.
                      (ii) The county or municipality may not require the district to pay any license or permit fees,
                  or file any bonds.
                      (iii) The county or municipality may require the district to pay reasonable inspection fees.
                      (3) (a) Any district incorporated as provided in this part may borrow money, incur
                  indebtedness, and issue bonds and other obligations.
                      (b) A district may not issue bonds that pledge the full faith and credit of the district for
                  payment if those bonds, in the aggregate, exceed 10% of the fair market value, as defined under
                  Section 59-2-102 , of the taxable property in the district as computed from the last equalized
                  assessment roll for county purposes before the issuance of the bonds.
                      (c) For purposes of Subsection (3), the district shall include the fair market value of all tax
                  equivalent property, as defined under Section 59-3-102 , as a part of the fair market value of taxable
                  property in the district.
                      (4) Contracts and agreements with the United States of America, and with any water users'
                  association or any other public, cooperative, or private entity from which the district procures water,

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                  and bonds payable solely from revenues of the district other than from the proceeds of ad valorem
                  taxes, are not within the limitation established by [this subsection] Subsection (3).
                      (5) (a) Any district incorporated as provided in this part may fix and determine the funds
                  required for district purposes of every nature and apportion and charge the same against the area of
                  each city within the district by following the procedures and requirements of this Subsection (5).
                      (b) As to the costs of all water, water rights, reservoirs, canals, conduits, and other works
                  for which the district as a whole receives the benefit, and because of which the district is indebted or
                  because of which the district has made payment without any previous apportionment and charge
                  having been made, and the charges made against the district because of its ownership of stock in any
                  water users' association, in the same proportion as the water and water rights set apart or allotted to
                  each area bear to the total water and water rights owned or held by the district.
                      (c) As to that portion of these funds required for operation, maintenance, and the cost of
                  construction of distributing systems, the district shall equitably apportion these costs and determine
                  and base them on the benefits and the relative cost of service provided by the district to each
                  respective area.
                      (6) (a) Any district incorporated as provided in this part may:
                      (i) levy and collect taxes for the purposes of carrying on the operations and paying the
                  obligations of the district; and
                      (ii) in any year, levy a tax sufficient to cover in full any deficit that may have resulted from
                  tax delinquencies for any preceding year.
                      (b) (i) Taxes levied under this [subsection] Subsection (6) for administering the district and
                  maintaining and operating its properties may not exceed .0005 per dollar of taxable value of taxable
                  property in the district.
                      (ii) Taxes levied to pay principal of and interest on the bonds of the district, to pay
                  indebtedness and interest owed to the United States of America, or to pay assessments or other
                  amounts due any water users' association or other public cooperative, or private entity from which
                  the district procures water are not subject to the limitation established by this Subsection (5)(b).
                      (c) (i) The district shall:

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                      (A) levy taxes for the payment of principal of and interest on the bonds of the district as
                  separate and special levies for that specific purpose; and
                      (B) apply the proceeds from them solely to the payment of this principal and interest.
                      (ii) As separate and special levies, these levies are not subject to any priorities in favor of
                  obligations of the district in existence at the time the bonds were issued.
                      (d) (i) The district may not levy any of the taxes authorized by this subsection unless it has
                  conducted, at its regular place of business, a public hearing on the purposes and necessities of the
                  taxation.
                      (ii) The board of [directors] trustees of the district shall publish notice of the public hearing
                  at least seven days prior to the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county
                  or counties in which the district is located.
                      (e) Any district incorporated as provided in this part may:
                      (i) enter into contracts, employ and retain personal services, and employ laborers;
                      (ii) create, establish, and maintain and elect, appoint, and employ necessary and convenient:
                      (A) officers, attorneys, and agents convenient for the transaction of the business of the
                  district;
                      (B) officers and positions as necessary; and
                      (C) employees.
                      (7) (a) Any district incorporated as provided in this part may:
                      (i) join with one or more other corporations, public or private, for the purpose of carrying
                  out any of its powers;
                      (ii) contract with any other corporation or corporations for the purposes of financing
                  acquisitions, constructions, and operations;
                      (iii) in the contract, obligate itself severally or jointly with the other corporations; and
                      (iv) secure, guarantee, or become surety for the payment of any indebtedness, or the
                  performance of any contract or other obligation that may be, or has been, incurred or entered into by
                  any corporation in which the district has acquired shares of stock by subscription or otherwise.
                      (b) The contracts may provide for:

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                      (i) contributions to be made by each party to them;
                      (ii) the division and apportionment of the expenses of the acquisitions and operations;
                      (iii) the division and apportionment of the benefits, the services, and the products from them;
                  and
                      (iv) an agency to effect the acquisitions and carry on these operations.
                      (c) The contracts shall provide the powers and the methods of procedure for the agency the
                  method by which the agency may contract.
                      (d) The contract may contain further covenants and agreements as necessary and convenient
                  to accomplish its purposes.
                      (8) Any district incorporated as provided in this part may:
                      (a) acquire water and water rights within or without Utah;
                      (b) develop, store, and transport water;
                      (c) subscribe for, purchase, and acquire stock in canal companies, water companies, and
                  water users' associations;
                      (d) provide, sell, lease, and deliver water within or outside of the district for municipal and
                  domestic purposes, irrigation, power, milling, manufacturing, mining, and metallurgical and any and
                  all other beneficial uses;
                      (e) fix the rates;
                      (f) acquire, construct, operate, and maintain any works, facilities, improvements, and
                  property that are necessary or convenient; and
                      (g) in the doing of all of these things:
                      (i) obligate itself jointly with other persons and corporations, public and private; and
                      (ii) execute and perform these obligations according to their tenor.
                      (9) (a) Any district incorporated as provided in this part may invest any surplus money in the
                  district treasury, including any money in any sinking fund established for the purpose of providing for
                  the payment of the principal or interest of any bonded contract or other indebtedness or for any other
                  purpose, not required for immediate necessities of the district, by following the procedures and
                  requirements of Title 51, Chapter 7, State Money Management Act.

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                      (b) The district shall ensure that the sales of any bonds or treasury notes purchased and held
                  are made in season so that the proceeds may be applied to the purposes for which the money, with
                  which the bonds or treasury notes were originally purchased, was placed in the treasury of the district.
                      (c) The treasurer and controller, with the approval of the attorney, shall perform the functions
                  and duties authorized by this subsection under rules adopted by the board of [directors] trustees of
                  the district.
                      (10) Each city, the area of which is a part or all of any district incorporated under this part,
                  has a preferential right to purchase from the district, at rates determined by the board of [directors]
                  trustees of the district, for distribution by the city, or any public utility empowered by the city for the
                  purpose, for domestic, municipal, and other beneficial uses within the city, a portion of the water
                  served by the district which shall bear the same ratio to all of the water supply of the district as the
                  total accumulation of amounts levied as taxes by the district against the property of the city which
                  is within the area of the district shall bear to the total of all taxes levied by the district against the
                  property in all of the cities in the areas of which are within the area of the district.
                      Section 96. Section 17A-2-819 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-819. Trustees -- Representation -- Voting -- Organization and membership --
                  Other provisions apply.
                      (1) [All powers, privileges and duties vested in or imposed upon any district incorporated
                  under this part shall be exercised and performed by and through a] The board of [directors, all the
                  members of which shall serve without compensation for the terms of office as provided and who, in
                  all events,] trustees shall be designated and appointed by the legislative body or bodies, respectively,
                  of a city or cities the area of which is within a metropolitan water district. [The exercise of any and
                  all executive, administrative, and ministerial powers may be by the board of directors delegated and
                  redelegated to any of the offices created by this part or by the board of directors acting under this
                  part.]
                      (2) If the district is organized to comprise the area of two or more cities, the board of
                  [directors] trustees shall consist of at least one representative from each municipality, the area of
                  which shall lie within the metropolitan water district. As a member of the board of [directors]

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                  trustees, each representative may vote on all questions, orders, resolutions, and ordinances coming
                  before the board, and may cast one vote for each $10,000,000, or major fractional part of that
                  amount, of the taxable value of property taxable for district purposes in the city represented by the
                  representative as shown by the assessment records of the county and evidenced by the certificate of
                  the county auditor. Each city shall have at least one vote. In lieu of one representative any city may
                  at its option designate and appoint several representatives not exceeding one additional representative
                  for each $1,000,000 of taxable value, but the representative shall cast the vote to which the city
                  would otherwise be entitled as a unit and as a majority of such representatives present shall determine.
                  The affirmative vote of members representing more than 50% of the total number of votes of all the
                  members shall be necessary and, except as otherwise provided, shall be sufficient to carry any order,
                  resolution, or ordinance coming before the board of [directors] trustees. For the purposes of this
                  section, the term "major fractional part" means a fractional part larger than [one-half] 1/2.
                      (3) If a district includes the area of only one municipality, the board of [directors] trustees
                  may consist of either five or seven members, as determined by the legislative body of the municipality.
                  Each [director] trustee may cast one vote on all matters coming before the board[; on a board of five
                  members, the affirmative vote of three, and on a board of seven members, the affirmative vote of four,
                  shall, except as otherwise provided, be necessary and sufficient to carry any order, resolution, or
                  ordinance coming before the board].
                      [(4) Members of the board of directors of any metropolitan water district who have been
                  appointed as provided shall convene at the time and place fixed by the presiding officer of the
                  municipality initiating the proceedings, and immediately upon convening, the board of directors shall
                  elect from its membership a chairman, a vice-chairman, and a secretary, who shall serve for a period
                  of two years, or until sooner recalled or resigning, or until a successor is elected and qualified.]
                      [(5)] (4) Every member of the board of [directors] trustees of a metropolitan water district
                  shall be a registered voter, a property taxpayer, and a resident of the municipality by the legislative
                  body of which the member is appointed. In each municipality, the area of which is in a metropolitan
                  water district, except in districts occupying the area of more than one city, one of the [directors]
                  trustees appointed by its legislative body to the board of [directors] trustees shall be the commissioner

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                  of water supply and waterworks, or other comparable officer, however designated, who is in charge
                  of the municipality's water supply and distribution system, if municipally owned, and who shall be
                  known as the ex officio [director] trustee. Except for the ex officio [director] trustee, all other
                  elected or appointed officers, or the employees of the municipality shall be ineligible for appointment
                  to any district board; and except for the ex officio [director] trustee, any member of the metropolitan
                  water district board of [directors] trustees who at a time after appointment to the board becomes
                  elected or appointed to office in, or who becomes an employee of, the municipality in which the
                  member resides shall immediately become disqualified as a [director] trustee and shall forfeit the
                  office, and the legislative body of the municipality shall immediately appoint a successor to serve the
                  unexpired portion of the term of office. The appointment of [directors] trustees by the legislative
                  body of a municipality shall be made without regard to partisan political affiliations from among
                  citizens of the highest integrity, attainment, competence, and standing in the community, and it is the
                  intent of this part that each municipality shall adhere so far as possible to a policy of continuing
                  reappointment, at the expiration of their terms of office, of [directors] trustees of high character and
                  proven competence.
                      [(6)] (5) Except as to an ex officio [director] trustee, the terms of office of members of the
                  board of [directors] trustees are as [follows:] provided in Section 17B-2-403 .
                      [(a) in metropolitan water districts comprising the area of two or more cities, six years;]
                      [(b) in metropolitan water districts comprising the area of only one city where the number
                  of members of the board of directors is five, one member shall be appointed for a two-year term; one
                  for a three-year term; one for a five-year term; one for a six-year term all as determined by lot; and
                  upon the expiration of these terms, the ensuing terms of office for each shall be six years; and]
                      [(c) in metropolitan water districts comprising the area of only one city where the number
                  of members of the board of directors is seven, two members shall be appointed for a two-year term;
                  two for a four-year term and two for a six-year term, all as determined by lot; and upon the expiration
                  of these terms, the ensuing terms of office for each shall be six years.]
                      [(7) Every member of a board of directors shall serve until the member resigns or until a
                  successor has been duly appointed and qualified. Before assuming office, every director, other than

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                  an ex officio director, shall first subscribe to the constitutional oath of office of the state, and the oath
                  shall be delivered to and retained among the records of the secretary of the district.]
                      [(8)] (6) Members of the board of [directors] trustees of any metropolitan water district who
                  are serving as such on the effective date of this amendment and who are otherwise qualified as
                  provided in Subsection [(5)] (4), shall immediately be reappointed to office by the legislative body
                  or bodies, respectively, of the city or cities the area of which is included in a metropolitan water
                  district, and for the terms of office provided in Subsection [(6)] (5).
                      (7) (a) The provisions of Title 17B, Chapter 2, Part 4, Board of Trustees, apply to each
                  metropolitan water district to the same extent as if the metropolitan water district were a local district
                  under Title 17B, Chapter 2, Local Districts.
                      (b) (i) If a change in the number of board of trustees members is necessary to comply with
                  the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-402 (1), the board of trustees may by majority vote,
                  notwithstanding Subsection 17B-2-402 (3), change the number of board members to the next odd
                  number higher or lower than the number of current board members.
                      (ii) If a change under Subsection (7)(b)(i) decreases the number of board members, the
                  change may not take effect until the expiration of the term of the member whose term next expires.
                      (iii) If a change in the number of board members necessitated by Subsection 17B-2-402 (1)
                  would cause the district to violate a provision of bonds issued by the district, the number of board
                  members may be modified to the extent necessary to avoid a violation.
                      (c) (i) If a change in the expiration date of the term of a board of trustees member is
                  necessary to comply with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-403 (1), the term of each board
                  member whose term expires on a day other than the first Monday in January shall be extended to the
                  first Monday in January after the normal expiration date next following the special district election
                  date under Section 17A-1-305 .
                      (ii) If a change in the length of the term of a board of trustees member is necessary to comply
                  with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-403 (2), the change may not take effect until the expiration
                  of the term of the member whose term length is to be changed.
                      Section 97. Section 17A-2-820 is amended to read:

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                       17A-2-820. Powers of trustees.
                      [The board of directors shall have power:]
                      [Meetings.]
                      [(1) To fix the time and place or places at which its regular meetings shall be held, and shall
                  provide for the calling and holding of special meetings.]
                      [Ordinances, Resolutions and Orders -- Roll Call.]
                      [(2)] (1) [To make and pass ordinances, resolutions and orders not repugnant to the
                  Constitution of the United States or of the state of Utah, or to the provisions of this part, necessary
                  for the government and management of the affairs of the district, for the execution of the powers
                  vested in the district and for carrying into effect the provisions of this part. On all ordinances the roll
                  shall be called and the ayes and noes recorded. Resolutions and orders may be adopted by viva voce,
                  but on demand of any member the roll shall be called.] No ordinance [shall] may be adopted unless
                  it [shall have] has been introduced on a day previous to the time of such adoption except by
                  unanimous vote of all the members of the board of [directors] trustees present, provided there shall
                  be present [directors] trustees from not less than [three-fourths] 3/4 of all cities composing [said] the
                  metropolitan water district and representing not less than [three-fourths] 3/4 of the total votes of
                  [said] the district; provided, that in lieu of such previous introduction or unanimous vote any
                  ordinance may be mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid to each member of the board of
                  [directors] trustees at least five days prior to the day upon which such ordinance shall be presented
                  for adoption.
                      (2) All ordinances shall take effect upon their adoption by the board of [directors] trustees.
                      [Location of Offices.]
                      [(3) To fix the location of the principal place of business of the district and the location of
                  all offices and departments maintained hereunder.]
                      [Business Administration, Officers and Employees.]
                      [(4) To prescribe by ordinance a system of business administration and to create any and all
                  necessary offices which shall include the offices of controller and of treasurer and to select and
                  employ, and establish and re-establish the powers, duties and compensation of all officers and

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                  employees and prescribe the periods, terms and conditions of their employment, and to require and
                  fix the amount of all official bonds necessary for the protection of the funds and the property of the
                  district.]
                      [Civil Service.]
                      [(5) To prescribe by ordinance a system of civil service.]
                      [Delegation of Authority to Officers.]
                      [(6) By ordinance or resolution to delegate and redelegate to officers of the district power
                  to employ clerical, legal and engineering assistants and labor, and, under such conditions and
                  restrictions as shall be fixed by the directors, power to bind the district by contract.]
                      [Claims, Method of Auditing -- Construction of Works -- Letting Contracts.]
                      [(7) To] (3) (a) The board of trustees may prescribe a method of auditing and allowing or
                  rejecting claims and demands[; also to] and may prescribe methods for the construction of works and
                  for the letting of contracts for the construction of works, structures or equipment, or the performance
                  or furnishing of labor, materials or supplies, required for the carrying out of any of the purposes of
                  this part[; provided, that in cases where].
                      (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (3)(a):
                      (i) if work is not to be done by the district itself by force account, and the amount involved
                  [shall be] is $10,000[,] or more, the board of [directors] trustees shall provide for the letting of
                  contracts to the lowest responsible bidder, after publication of notices inviting bids, at least once and
                  not less than ten days prior to the expiration of the period within which bids [shall be] are received,
                  subject always to the right of [said] the board to reject any and all proposals[. Provided, likewise,
                  that];
                      (ii) the board of [directors] trustees, in advertising for bids and in letting contracts as above
                  provided, may require all articles to be furnished to the district thereunder to be manufactured,
                  produced or fabricated in the United States or its territories, and may prohibit the use in, or
                  employment in connection with, the carrying out of such contracts by the contractor or any
                  subcontractor, of all machinery or materials except such as [shall] have been manufactured, produced
                  or fabricated in the United States or its territories, if such are available, the question of such

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                  availability to be determined by the board of [directors. Provided, further, that] trustees; and
                      (iii) contracts, in writing or otherwise, may be let without advertising for or inviting bids,
                  when any repairs, alterations, or other work or the purchase of materials, supplies, equipment or other
                  property [shall be deemed] are considered by the board of [directors] trustees to be of urgent
                  necessity, and shall be authorized by a two-thirds vote thereof.
                      [Rates.]
                      [(8) To] (4) (a) The board of trustees may fix the rates, from time to time, at which water
                  [shall be] is sold[; provided, however, the rates].
                      (b) Rates fixed under Subsection (4)(a) shall be equitable, although not necessarily equal or
                  uniform, for like classes of service throughout the district.
                      Section 98. Section 17A-2-821 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-821. Resolution or ordinance proposing obligations or indebtedness -- Election.
                      [Whenever] If the board of [directors] trustees of any metropolitan water district incorporated
                  under this part [shall] determines, by resolution or ordinance adopted by a vote of a majority of the
                  aggregate number of votes of all the members of the board of [directors, determine] trustees, that the
                  interests of the district and the public interest or necessity demand the acquisition, construction, or
                  completion of any source of water supply, water, waterworks or other improvement, works or
                  facility, or the making of any contract with the United States or other persons or corporations, or the
                  incurring of any preliminary expense, necessary or convenient to carry out the objects or purposes
                  of the district wherein an indebtedness or obligation shall be created to satisfy which shall require a
                  greater expenditure than the ordinary annual income and revenue of the district shall permit, the board
                  of [directors] trustees may order the submission of the proposition of incurring the obligation or
                  bonded or other indebtedness, for the purposes set forth in the resolution or ordinance, to the
                  qualified electors of the district at an election held for that purpose. The resolution or ordinance
                  calling the election shall be adopted, the notice of the election shall be given, the election shall be
                  held, the voters' qualifications shall be determined, and the results of the elections canvassed in the
                  manner and subject to such conditions as are provided in [the] Title 11, Chapter 14, Utah Municipal
                  Bond Act. The declaration of public interest or necessity so required and the provision for the holding

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                  of the election may be included within the same resolution or ordinance, which resolution or
                  ordinance, in addition to the declaration of public interest or necessity, shall recite the objects and
                  purposes for which the indebtedness is proposed to be incurred, the estimated cost of the public
                  works or improvements, or the estimated amount of preliminary expenses, as the case may be, and
                  the maximum amount of the principal of the indebtedness to be incurred.
                      Section 99. Section 17A-2-824 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-824. Revenue indebtedness or general obligation indebtedness -- Procedure for
                  incurring -- Terms.
                      (1) (a) Any district which has determined to issue bonds shall issue its bonds under Title 11,
                  Chapter 14, [the] Utah Municipal Bond Act, for the acquisition through construction, purchase, or
                  otherwise and for the improvement or extension of any properties necessary or desirable in the
                  obtaining, treatment, and distribution of water and any other properties which the district is
                  authorized to own under this part. Bonds may be issued or a contract indebtedness or obligation
                  may be created [(a)]:
                      (i) payable solely from the revenues of the district other than the proceeds of taxes, in which
                  case they shall be known for purposes of this section as "revenue indebtedness"[, or (b)];
                      (ii) payable solely from the proceeds of taxes, in which case they shall be known for purposes
                  of this section as "general obligation indebtedness"[,]; or [(c)]
                      (iii) payable from both operating revenues and the proceeds of taxes, in which case they shall
                  be known for purposes of this section as "general obligation revenue indebtedness."
                      (b) The full faith and credit of the district shall be pledged to the payment of its general
                  obligation and general obligation revenue indebtedness, and taxes shall be levied fully sufficient to pay
                  that part of the principal of and interest on general obligation revenue indebtedness as the revenues
                  of the district pledged for this purpose may not be sufficient to meet.
                      (c) General obligation indebtedness and general obligation revenue indebtedness may be
                  issued only after approval at an election as provided in Section 17A-2-821 .
                      (d) Revenue indebtedness may be similarly submitted at an election as provided in Section
                  17A-2-821 if considered desirable by the board of [directors] trustees, but nothing in this part shall

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                  be construed to require such submission.
                      (e) Refunding bonds may be issued without approval at an election.
                      (2) Revenue indebtedness and general obligation revenue indebtedness may be payable from
                  and secured by the pledge of all or any specified part of the revenues to be derived by the district from
                  its water supply and the operation of its water facilities and other properties. It is the duty of the
                  board of [directors] trustees to impose for water and water services rendered thereby, rates fully
                  sufficient to carry out all undertakings contained in the resolution authorizing the bonds or the
                  contract. The board of [directors] trustees may in the resolution agree to pay the expenses of
                  maintaining and operating the properties of the district from the proceeds of the ad valorem taxes
                  authorized in Subsection 17A-2-818 (1)(i) and may enter into those covenants with the future holders
                  of the bonds or the other contracting party as to the management and operation of the properties, the
                  imposition and collection of fees and charges for water and services furnished thereby, the disposition
                  of the fees and revenues, the issuance of future bonds or the creation of future contract indebtedness
                  or obligations and the creation of future liens and encumbrances against the properties and the
                  revenues from them, the carrying of insurance on the properties, the keeping of books and records,
                  the deposit, securing, and paying out of the proceeds of the bonds, and other pertinent matters, as
                  [deemed] considered proper by the board of [directors] trustees to assure the marketability of the
                  bonds or the making of the contract. The board of [directors] trustees may undertake in the
                  resolution to make the revenues of the properties sufficient to pay all or any specified part of the
                  expense of the operation and maintenance of them. Covenants may be contained in the resolution
                  with respect to the manner of the imposition and collection of water charges, and provision also may
                  be made in it for the appointment of a receiver for the properties of the district in the event of a
                  default by the district in carrying out the covenants and agreements contained in the resolution.
                  Provision may also be made in the resolution for a [trustee] receiver to perform those services with
                  respect to the holding and paying out of the revenues of the district and the proceeds of the bonds,
                  and otherwise, as may be considered advisable. Maintenance and operation costs and expenses as
                  referred to in this section shall be construed to include any payments made by the district to the
                  United States of America, to any water users' association, or to any other public or private entity for

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                  the cost of operating facilities used in providing water for the district.
                      Section 100. Section 17A-2-825 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-825. Validity of signatures and facsimile signatures.
                      [In case] If any of such officers, whose signatures or countersignatures appear on the bonds
                  or coupons, [shall] cease to be such officer before the delivery of such bonds to the purchaser, such
                  signatures or countersignatures shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes, the same
                  as if they had remained in office until the delivery of such bonds.
                      Any officer whose signature or countersignature is required on bonds and coupons may make
                  written request to, and the board of [directors] trustees of the metropolitan water district issuing
                  bonds as herein provided shall thereupon grant and by resolution authorize the[,] use of [his] the
                  officer's signature on bonds and coupons by facsimile imprinting in lieu of [his] a hand-affixed
                  signature, and such imprinted facsimile signature shall in every instance be valid and sufficient for all
                  of the purposes of such bonds and coupons.
                      Section 101. Section 17A-2-827 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-827. Proceeds of sale of bonds.
                      Such bonds may be issued and sold by [said] the board of [directors] trustees as they [shall]
                  determine, and the proceeds thereof, excepting premium and accrued interest, shall be placed in the
                  treasury of [said] the district to the credit of the proper improvement fund, and shall be applied
                  exclusively to the purposes and objects mentioned in [said] the ordinance; provided, that the interest
                  on [said] the bonds accruing during the construction period and for one year thereafter shall be
                  [deemed] considered to be a construction cost within the meaning of the purposes and objects
                  mentioned in [said] the ordinance, and such interest may be paid from [said] the proceeds of the sales
                  of such bonds. Premium and accrued interest shall be placed in the fund to be applied to the payment
                  of interest on, and the retirement of, the bonds so sold. For the purposes of this section, the
                  construction period shall be [deemed] considered to end when the works, the construction of which
                  shall have been authorized from the proceeds of any such bond issue, [shall] have been placed in
                  operation to such extent as to result in the sale and delivery in the district, of water transported and
                  provided by means of such works.

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                      Section 102. Section 17A-2-828 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-828. Action to test validity of contracts, bonds, and other contract obligations
                  or indebtedness.
                      The board of [directors] trustees may, within 90 days from the date of the election authorizing
                  the issuance of bonds, the making of any contract, the incurring of any contract obligation or
                  indebtedness, cause to be brought in the name of the district an action in the district court of the
                  county in which [said] the district, or the greater portion of the property subject to taxation by [said]
                  the district, according to the most recent assessment, is located, to determine the validity of any such
                  bonds, contract, contract obligation, or indebtedness, and the sufficiency of the provision for the
                  collection of an annual tax sufficient to pay the interest on such bonded or other indebtedness and the
                  principal thereof as such interest and principal shall fall due and/or to constitute a sinking fund for the
                  payment of principal on or before maturity. Such action shall be in the nature of a proceeding in rem,
                  and jurisdiction of all parties interested may be had by publication of summons for at least once a
                  week for three weeks in some paper of general circulation published in the county where the action
                  is pending, such paper to be designated by the court having jurisdiction of the proceedings.
                  Jurisdiction shall be complete within ten days after the full publication of such summons in the manner
                  herein provided. Anyone interested may at any time before the expiration of [said] the ten days
                  appear and by proper proceedings contest the validity of such bonds, contract or contract obligation,
                  or indebtedness and the sufficiency of the provisions for the collection of [said] the annual tax. Such
                  action shall be speedily tried and judgment rendered declaring such bonds, contract or contract
                  obligation, or indebtedness to be valid or invalid, and declaring the provision for the collection of an
                  annual tax for [said] those purposes, to be sufficient or insufficient. Either party may have the right
                  to appeal to the Supreme Court at any time within 30 days after the rendition of such judgment,
                  which appeal must be heard and determined within three months from the time of taking such appeal.
                  After the expiration of 90 days from the date of the election authorizing the making of such contract
                  or contracts, the issuance of bonds, or the incurring of other obligation or indebtedness, no action
                  may be brought to contest or question the validity of [said] the bonds, contract, obligation, or
                  indebtedness and proceedings in relation thereto or the sufficiency of the provision for the collection

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                  of an annual tax sufficient to pay the interest on such indebtedness, or the principal thereof, as it falls
                  due and/or to constitute a sinking fund for the payment of principal on or before maturity. If there
                  [be] is more than one action or proceeding involving the validity of any such bonds, indebtedness or
                  contract, or the sufficiency of the provision for the collection of an annual tax sufficient for [the said]
                  those purposes, they shall be consolidated and tried together. The court hearing any proceeding or
                  action inquiring into the regularity, legality or correctness of the proceedings leading up to the making
                  of such contract or contracts, the incurring of [said] the indebtedness or issuance of bonds or the
                  validity of such bonds or the sufficiency of such provision for the collection of an annual tax, must
                  disregard any error, irregularity or omission which does not affect the substantial rights of the parties
                  to [said] the action or proceeding. The rules of pleading and practice provided by the [Code] Rules
                  of Civil Procedure, which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this part, are applicable to all
                  actions or proceedings herein provided for. The motion for a new trial of any such action or
                  proceeding [must] shall be heard and determined within ten days from the filing of the notice of
                  intention. The costs on any proceeding or action herein provided for may be allowed and apportioned
                  between the parties or taxed to the losing party, in the discretion of the court.
                      Section 103. Section 17A-2-829 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-829. Water rates to pay operating expenses, repairs, and depreciation -- Interest
                  and principal of bonded and other debt to be paid so far as practicable from water rates -- Tax
                  levy.
                      The board of [directors] trustees shall fix such rate or rates for water furnished as will, in
                  conjunction with the proceeds of the maintenance and operation tax authorized by Section
                  17A-2-818 , pay the operating expenses of the district, provide for repairs and depreciation of works
                  owned or operated by such district, pay the interest on any bonded or other debt, and so far as
                  practicable, provide a sinking or other fund for the payment of the principal of such debt as the same
                  may become due; it being the intention of this section to require the districts to pay the interest and
                  principal of its indebtedness from the revenues of such district, so far as practicable. If, however,
                  from any cause, the revenues of the district [shall be] are inadequate to pay the interest or principal
                  of any debt, other than revenue bonds, as the same [shall become] becomes due, the board of

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                  [directors] trustees shall, at the time of fixing the tax levy and in the manner for such tax levy
                  provided, levy and collect annually until [said] the indebtedness [shall be] is paid or until there [shall
                  be] is a sum in the treasury of the district set apart for that purpose sufficient to meet all sums coming
                  due for principal and interest thereon, a tax sufficient to pay the annual interest on such indebtedness,
                  or such part thereof as [shall] is not [be] met from revenues of the district, and also sufficient to pay
                  such part of the principal of such bonds and other debt as shall become due before the time when
                  money will be available from the next general tax levy, or such portion thereof as [shall] is not [be]
                  met from revenues of the district; provided, however, that if the maturity of such indebtedness [be]
                  is made to begin more than one year after the date when the same [shall be] is incurred, such tax shall
                  be levied and collected at the time and in the manner aforesaid annually sufficient when added to
                  revenues of the district available for that purpose to pay the interest on such indebtedness as it falls
                  due and also to constitute, together with the revenues of the district available for such purpose, a
                  sinking fund for the payment of the principal thereof on or before maturity. The taxes herein required
                  to be levied and collected shall be in addition to all other taxes levied for district purposes and shall
                  be collected at the time and in the same manner as other district taxes are collected and shall be used
                  for no purpose other than the payment of such indebtedness and accruing interest. Nothing in this
                  part shall be so construed as to prevent the making of long term contracts by the district for the sale
                  of water to industrial or other large consumers at fixed rates.
                      Section 104. Section 17A-2-830 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-830. Conversion of coupon bonds into registered bonds -- Reconversion --
                  Exchanging for higher denomination.
                      Coupon bonds issued hereunder, at the request of the holder, may be registered as to principal
                  and interest in the holder's name on the books of the treasurer of the district, and the coupons
                  surrendered and the principal and interest made payable only to the registered holder of the bond.
                  For that purpose the treasurer of the district shall detach and cancel the coupons, and shall endorse
                  a statement on the bonds that the coupon sheet issued therewith has been surrendered by the holder,
                  and the coupons canceled by such treasurer, and that the principal and the semiannual interest are
                  thereafter to be paid to the registered holder, or order, by draft, check or warrant drawn payable at

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                  a place of payment specified in the bond, after which no transfer shall be valid unless made on such
                  treasurer's books by the registered holder, or by his attorney duly authorized, and similarly noted on
                  the bond. After such registration, the principal and interest of such bond shall be payable only to the
                  registered owner. Bonds registered under this section may, with the consent of the district and the
                  holders of the bonds, be reconverted into coupon bonds at the expense of the holder thereof, and
                  again reconverted into registered bonds from time to time, as the board of [directors] trustees of the
                  district and the holders of the bonds may determine. In converting coupon bonds into registered
                  bonds, coupon bonds may be exchanged for registered bonds of $100 each, or multiples thereof, but
                  not exceeding $50,000 each, in which event new registered bonds shall be issued at the expense of
                  the holder. Coupon bonds may be exchanged for other coupon bonds of $100 each, or multiples
                  thereof, but not exceeding $50,000 each, in which event new coupon bonds shall be issued at the
                  expense of the holder.
                      Section 105. Section 17A-2-831 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-831. Fees.
                      For each conversion or reconversion of a coupon or registered bond, the treasurer of the
                  district [shall be entitled to] may charge and collect such fee as the board of [directors] trustees of
                  the district may prescribe from time to time.
                      Section 106. Section 17A-2-834 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-834. Rate of taxation.
                      Before June 22 of each year, the board of [directors] trustees of the district shall, by
                  resolution, determine the amount of money necessary to be raised by taxation and shall fix the rate
                  of taxation of the areas of each separate city within the district, designating the levy on taxable value
                  of taxable property in each of the areas in each county and shall levy a tax accordingly:
                      (1) sufficient to meet interest and sinking fund requirements on, and/or any payment to
                  principal of, outstanding bonded and other indebtedness of the district; and sufficient to meet the
                  payment of the principal and interest on any refunding bonds, or on any bonds the issuance of which
                  may have been authorized as provided in this part, and which bonds have not been sold but which,
                  in the judgment of the board of [directors] trustees, will be sold prior to the time when money will

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                  be available from the next subsequent tax levy, and in case the bonds are not so issued and sold or
                  the tax for any other reason is not required for that purpose, the tax levied shall be applied to the
                  payment of interest and/or principal on any refunding bonds, or on any bonds authorized as provided
                  in this part, then outstanding or subsequently issued and/or sold, or on any contract or other
                  indebtedness; and
                      (2) for all other district purposes.
                      Section 107. Section 17A-2-835 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-835. Amounts due from cities declared in resolution.
                      The board of [directors] trustees shall also cause to be computed and shall declare in [said]
                  the resolution the amount of money to be derived from the area of the district lying within each
                  separate municipality by virtue of the tax levy in accordance with the provisions of Section
                  17A-2-818 . The board shall immediately cause certified copies of such resolution to be transmitted
                  to the presiding officer of the governing body of each such city.
                      Section 108. Section 17A-2-836 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-836. Tax rates for cities.
                      Before June 22 the controller of the district shall cause to be prepared and transmitted to the
                  auditor of each county in which the district lies, a statement showing the tax rate to be applied to
                  taxable property in each city, which rate shall be the rate fixed by resolution of the board of
                  [directors] trustees.
                      Section 109. Section 17A-2-840 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-840. Expenses of incorporation.
                      Any city [which shall incur] that incurs expenses in preliminary work in preparing for the
                  incorporation of or in the incorporation of any district hereunder likewise may certify the amount
                  thereof, without interest, to the board of [directors] trustees of [said] the district at any time within
                  four years from the date of the incorporation of such district, and if allowed by the board of
                  [directors] trustees, such amount shall be credited to the city incurring the same, and shall be
                  considered as a payment for water purchased, or to be purchased, by such city from the district.
                      Section 110. Section 17A-2-841 is amended to read:

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                       17A-2-841. Annexation to district -- Validity of proceedings.
                      (1) Territory may be annexed to a metropolitan water district as provided in this section.
                      (2) If a city within a metropolitan water district adds territory to the city by annexation or by
                  consolidation with another city, that territory shall, by virtue of the annexation or consolidation,
                  become and be a part of the district and is taxable in accordance with the provisions of this part, to
                  pay the indebtedness of the district outstanding at the time of annexation or consolidation.
                      (3) (a) If the governing or legislative body of a municipality requests the controller of a
                  metropolitan water district for a statement showing the amount of the bonded and other indebtedness
                  of the district, the taxable value of the taxable property in the district according to the most recent
                  assessment, and the names of all municipalities included within the district, the controller shall furnish
                  the requested information.
                      (b) After consideration of the statement, the governing or legislative body of the municipality
                  may apply to the board of [directors] trustees of the metropolitan water district for consent to annex
                  the municipality to the metropolitan water district.
                      (c) (i) The board of [directors] trustees may grant or deny the application.
                      (ii) If the board of [directors] trustees grants the application, it may fix the terms and
                  conditions upon which the city may be annexed to the metropolitan water district.
                      (d) The board of [directors] trustees shall promptly transmit to the governing or legislative
                  body of the applying city a copy of the board's order indicating its action on the application.
                      (e) (i) If the board grants the application, the city's governing or legislative body shall, except
                  as provided in Subsection (3)(f), submit to the qualified electors of the city, at any general or special
                  election held in the city, the proposition of the annexation subject to the terms and conditions fixed
                  as provided in this part.
                      (ii) The governing or legislative body shall give notice of the election:
                      (A) by posting the notice at least ten days and in three public places in the city; or
                      (B) publishing the notice once at least ten days before the date fixed for the election in a
                  newspaper of general circulation in the city.
                      (iii) The notice shall contain the substance of the terms and conditions fixed by the board of

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                  [directors] trustees.
                      (iv) The election shall be conducted and the returns canvassed in the manner provided by law
                  for municipal elections in the city.
                      (f) (i) An election is not required under Subsection (3)(e) if a petition approving annexation
                  is filed with the city's governing or legislative body that:
                      (A) is signed by a majority of the registered voters residing in the city; and
                      (B) contains the substance of the terms and conditions fixed by the metropolitan water
                  district's board of [directors] trustees.
                      (ii) If a petition filed under Subsection (3)(f)(i) meets the requirements of that subsection, the
                  city's governing or legislative body shall so certify to the board of [directors] trustees of the
                  metropolitan water district.
                      (g) If annexation receives approval either by the affirmative vote of a majority of electors of
                  the city voting at the election under Subsection (3)(e) or by a petition under Subsection (3)(f), the
                  governing or legislative body of the municipality shall certify the result of the election or petition on
                  the proposition to the board of [directors] trustees of the district.
                      (h) (i) Upon the board's receipt of the certification under Subsection (3)(g), the secretary of
                  the district shall prepare and file with the lieutenant governor a certificate of annexation indicating
                  that all the requirements of this section for annexation have been complied with.
                      (ii) Upon the filing of the certificate in the office of the lieutenant governor, the municipality
                  shall be part of the metropolitan water district, and the taxable property in the municipality shall be
                  subject to taxation for the purposes of the metropolitan water district, including the payment of bonds
                  and other obligations of the district at the time authorized or outstanding.
                      (4) The validity of proceedings for the annexation of a municipality or city to any district
                  organized under this part may not be contested in an action unless the action is brought within three
                  months after the completion of the proceedings, or, in case such proceedings are completed prior to
                  the time that this section takes effect, then within three months after this section becomes effective.
                      Section 111. Section 17A-2-842 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-842. Withdrawal from district.

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                      Any municipality whose corporate area has become or is a part of any water district may
                  withdraw therefrom in the following manner:
                      The governing body of any such municipality may submit to the electors thereof at any general
                  or special election the proposition of withdrawing from any water district incorporated thereunder.
                  Notice of such election shall be given in the manner provided in Subsection 17A-2-841 (3)(e). Such
                  election shall be conducted and the returns thereof canvassed in the manner provided by law for the
                  conduct of municipal elections in [said] the city. In the event that the majority of the electors voting
                  thereon vote in favor of such withdrawal, the result thereof shall be certified by the governing body
                  of such municipality to the board of [directors] trustees of the district. A certificate of the
                  proceedings hereunder shall be made by the secretary of the district and filed with the lieutenant
                  governor, and upon the filing of such certificate the area of the municipality so withdrawing shall be
                  excluded from the [said] water district, and shall no longer be a part thereof; provided, however, that
                  the property within the [said] municipality as it [shall exist] exists at the time of such exclusion shall
                  continue taxable for the purpose of paying [said] the bonded and other indebtedness outstanding or
                  contracted for, at the time of such exclusion and until such bonded or other indebtedness [shall have]
                  has been satisfied.
                      Section 112. Section 17A-2-843 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-843. Interest of trustees or employees in contracts.
                      Except as herein provided, no [director] trustee or any other officer or employee of the                   district
                  [shall] may in any manner be interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract awarded or to be
                  awarded by the board of [directors] trustees, or made or to be made by such officer or employee
                  pursuant to discretionary authority vested in [him] the officer or employee, or in the profits to be
                  derived therefrom. Notwithstanding the fact that such [director] trustee or other officer or employee
                  of the district may be a stockholder or bondholder or director or other officer or employee of a
                  corporation contracting with the district, contracts may be made with such corporation for its general
                  benefit unless such [director] trustee or officer or employee of the district [shall own or control] owns
                  or controls, directly or indirectly, stock or bonds to an amount exceeding 5% of the total amount of
                  the stock or bonds, respectively, of such contracting corporation issued and outstanding. For any

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                  violation of this section such [director] trustee or other officer or employee of the district shall be
                  [deemed] considered guilty of a misdemeanor, and such conviction shall work a forfeiture of [his]
                  office, or employment, and [he] the trustee or other officer or employee shall be punished by a fine
                  not exceeding $500, or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by both such
                  fine and imprisonment.
                      Section 113. Section 17A-2-845 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-845. Administration.
                      All matters and things necessary for the proper administration of the affairs of [said] the
                  district which are not provided for in this part shall be provided for by the board of [directors]
                  trustees of the district by ordinance.
                      Section 114. Section 17A-2-847 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-847. Fiscal year -- Annual statements.
                      (1) The fiscal year of any metropolitan water district incorporated hereunder shall begin July
                  1 of each year and shall end on June 30 of the following year.
                      (2) As promptly as shall be possible after the close of each fiscal year, [it shall be the duty of]
                  the controller of the district [to] shall prepare and transmit to the chief executive officer of each
                  municipality, the area of which [shall lie] lies within the district:
                      (a) a statement of revenues and expenditures in such detail as shall be prescribed by the board
                  of [directors] trustees; and
                      (b) a statement of the amount of water stored by or made available to the district and the
                  amounts used by the respective cities.
                      Section 115. Section 17A-2-849 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-849. Time for expenditure of tax revenues.
                      Tax revenues levied and collected pursuant to the provisions of Sections 17A-2-818 and
                  17A-2-834 need not necessarily be expended during the fiscal year of their levy or collection but may,
                  when so elected by the board of [directors] trustees, be expended in the fiscal year or years ensuing.
                      Section 116. Section 17A-2-850 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-850. Reserve funds -- Creation -- Use of funds -- Limitation.

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                      The board of [directors] trustees of a metropolitan water district [is hereby authorized to] may
                  create and maintain, out of revenues of any nature available to it, a reserve fund and [to] may expend
                  therefrom when it [deems] considers necessary sums to meet immediate needs and emergencies such
                  as major catastrophe, earthquake, drought relief or any other happening which imperils the public
                  health and safety, and, among other things, but without intention to limit, for any district purposes
                  necessary for the health, safety and security of the inhabitants of the district; provided, that such
                  reserve fund shall in no event exceed 10% of the total investment value, at cost, of such metropolitan
                  water district in water acquisitions, water rights, reservoirs, pipelines and water treatment plants and
                  the like, whether such investments are financed by such district directly or for its benefit by the United
                  States or the state [of Utah]. Such reserve funds may also be drawn upon by the board of [directors]
                  trustees when in its discretion it is advisable to do so either in abatement of a tax levy, in lieu of a tax
                  levy, or in avoidance of an increase in a tax levy for any year.
                      Section 117. Section 17A-2-907 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-907. Board of trustees -- Vacancies -- Other provisions applicable.
                      [(1) (a) The members of the board of trustees shall:]
                      [(i) meet on the first Monday that is at least 30 days after the certificate of incorporation is
                  issued by the lieutenant governor; and]
                      [(ii) organize by electing one of their members as president, one as secretary, and other
                  officers as desired.]
                      [(b) A member of the board may receive:]
                      [(i) total compensation of not more than $1,000 per year as determined by the board of
                  trustees; and]
                      [(ii) reasonable mileage and expenses necessarily incurred to attend meetings or conduct
                  business connected with the board.]
                      [(2)] (1) Any vacancy on the board shall be filled as provided in Chapter 1, Part 3, Special
                  District Board Selection Procedures.
                      [(3) (a) The board of trustees shall:]
                      [(i) provide for the time, place, and manner of calling its regular meetings; and ]

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                      [(ii) establish rules for its proceedings.]
                      [(b) Subject to the requirements of Title 52, Chapter 4, Open and Public Meetings:]
                      [(i) three trustees may call a special meeting by giving notice to each member;]
                      [(ii) all meetings are open to the public; and]
                      [(iii) the majority of the members of the board are a quorum for the transaction of business.]
                      (2) (a) The provisions of Title 17B, Chapter 2, Part 4, Board of Trustees, except Section
                  17B-2-402 , apply to each mosquito abatement district to the same extent as if the mosquito
                  abatement district were a local district under Title 17B, Chapter 2, Local Districts.
                      (b) (i) If a change in the expiration date of the term of a board of trustees member is
                  necessary to comply with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-403 (1), the term of each board
                  member whose term expires on a day other than the first Monday in January shall be extended to the
                  first Monday in January after the normal expiration date next following the special district election
                  date under Section 17A-1-305 .
                      (ii) If a change in the length of the term of a board of trustees member is necessary to comply
                  with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-403 (2), the change may not take effect until the expiration
                  of the term of the member whose term length is to be changed.
                      Section 118. Section 17A-2-1016 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1016. Powers of incorporated district -- Bidding -- Eminent domain.
                      (1) As used in this section, "operator" means any city, public agency, person, firm, or private
                  corporation engaged in the transportation of passengers for hire.
                      (2) Any district incorporated under this part may:
                      (a) have perpetual succession;
                      (b) sue and be sued in all actions and proceedings and in all courts and tribunals of competent
                  jurisdiction;
                      (c) adopt a corporate seal and alter it at pleasure;
                      (d) levy and collect taxes only for paying:
                      (i) the principal and interest of bonded indebtedness of the district; or
                      (ii) any final judgment obtained against the district beyond the amount of any collectable

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                  insurance or indemnity policy if the district is required by final order of any court of competent
                  jurisdiction to levy a tax to pay the judgment;
                      (e) take by grant, purchase, bequest, devise, or lease, and to hold, enjoy, lease, sell,
                  encumber, alien, or otherwise dispose of real or personal property of every kind within the district;
                      (f) make contracts and enter into stipulations of any nature, including contracts and
                  stipulations:
                      (i) to indemnify and save harmless;
                      (ii) to do all acts to exercise the powers granted in this part; and
                      (iii) with any department or agency of the United States of America, of the state, or with any
                  public agency or private person, firm, or corporation upon terms and conditions the board of
                  [directors] trustees finds are in the best interests of the district;
                      (g) (i) insure against:
                      (A) loss of revenues from accident or destruction of the system or any part of the system,
                  from any cause whatsoever; or
                      (B) public liability or property damage, or against all other types of events, acts, or omissions;
                  and
                      (ii) provide in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of any bonds for the carrying of any
                  other insurance, in an amount and of such character as may be specified, and for the payment of the
                  premiums on the insurance;
                      (h) provide a public transit system for the transportation of passengers and their incidental
                  baggage;
                      (i) purchase all supplies, equipment, and materials;
                      (j) construct facilities and works, but when the expenditure required exceeds $25,000
                  construction shall be let by contract to the lowest responsible bidder or proposer;
                      (k) acquire, contract for, lease, construct, own, operate, control, or use rights-of-way, rail
                  lines, monorails, bus lines, stations, platforms, switches, yards, terminals, parking lots, any facilities
                  necessary or convenient for public transit service, and all structures necessary for access by persons
                  and vehicles;

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                      (l) hire, lease, or contract for the supplying of, or management of, any facilities, operations,
                  equipment, services, employees, or management staff of any operator and provide for subleases or
                  subcontracts by the operator upon terms that are in the public interest; and
                      (m) operate feeder bus lines and other feeder services as necessary.
                      (3) (a) Bids or proposals shall be advertised through public notice as determined by the
                  board.
                      (b) The notice may include publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the district,
                  trade journal, or other method determined by the board at least once and not less than ten days prior
                  to the expiration of the period within which bids or proposals are received.
                      (c) The board may reject any and all bids or proposals and readvertise or give renotice at its
                  discretion.
                      (d) If, after rejecting bids or proposals, the board determines and declares by vote of
                  two-thirds of all its members present that in its opinion the supplies, equipment, and materials may
                  be purchased at a lower price in the open market, the board may proceed to purchase the same in the
                  open market without further observance of the provisions requiring contracts, bids or proposals,
                  advertisement, or notice.
                      (e) Contracts, in writing or otherwise, may be let without advertising for or inviting bids
                  when any repairs, alterations, or other work or the purchase of materials, supplies, equipment, or
                  other property is found by the board upon a two-thirds vote of its members present to be of urgent
                  necessity, or where the general manager certifies by affidavit that there is only one source for the
                  required supplies, equipment, and materials, or construction items.
                      (f) If any payment on a contract with a private contractor to construct facilities under this
                  section is retained or withheld, it shall be retained or withheld and released as provided in Section
                  13-8-5 .
                      (4) (a) Installations in state highways or freeways are subject to the approval of the
                  Department of Transportation.
                      (b) It is presumed that the use of the streets, roads, highways, and other public places by the
                  district for any of the purposes permitted in this section constitutes no greater burden on adjoining

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                  properties than the uses existing on July 9, 1969.
                      (c) If facilities, other than state highways or freeways referred to in Subsection (2), including
                  streets, roads, highways, pipelines, sewers, water mains, storm drains, poles, and communications
                  wires of another public agency of the state, or of a private owner must be relocated, replaced, or
                  altered in order for the district to construct or operate its system, or to preserve and maintain already
                  constructed district facilities, the facilities shall be relocated, replaced, or altered with reasonable
                  promptness by the respective public corporation, state, or private owner and the district shall by prior
                  agreement reimburse the public corporation, state, or private owner for the reasonable cost incurred
                  in relocation, replacement, or alteration.
                      (d) The district may enter into an agreement with any city or county having jurisdiction over
                  the street, road, or highway involved and, as may be provided by agreement, close any city street or
                  county road at or near the point of its interception with any district facility or provide for carrying
                  the city street or county road over or under or to a connection with the district facility and may do
                  any and all work on the city street or county road as is necessary. A city street or county road may
                  not be closed directly or indirectly by the construction of district facilities except:
                      (i) pursuant to agreement; or
                      (ii) while temporarily necessary during the construction of district facilities.
                      (5) The state, a municipality, or a county may acquire private property interests by eminent
                  domain pursuant to Title 78, Chapter 34, Eminent Domain, including fee simple, easements, air rights,
                  rights-of-way, and other private property interests necessary to the establishment and operation of
                  a public transit district.
                      Section 119. Section 17A-2-1038 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1038. Board of trustees -- Appointment -- Apportionment -- Qualifications --
                  Quorum -- Compensation -- Terms.
                      (1) (a) All powers, privileges, and duties vested in any incorporated district shall be
                  performed by a board of [directors] trustees.
                      (b) The board may delegate the exercise of any duty to any of the offices created under this
                  part.

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                      (2) If 200,000 people or less reside within the district boundaries:
                      (a) the board of [directors] trustees shall consist of [directors] trustees appointed by the
                  legislative bodies of each municipality, county, or unincorporated area within any county on the basis
                  of one [director] trustee for each full unit of regularly scheduled passenger routes proposed to be
                  served by the district in each municipality or unincorporated area within any county in the following
                  calendar year;
                      (b) the number of service miles comprising a unit shall be determined jointly by the legislative
                  bodies of the municipalities or counties comprising the district;
                      (c) [Directors] trustees shall be appointed and added to the board or omitted from the board
                  at the time scheduled routes are changed, or as municipalities, counties, or unincorporated areas of
                  counties annex to or withdraw from the district using the same appointment procedures; and
                      (d) municipalities, counties, and unincorporated areas of counties in which regularly
                  scheduled passenger routes proposed to be served by the district in the following calendar year is less
                  than a full unit, as defined in Subsection (2)(a), may combine with any other similarly situated
                  municipality or unincorporated area to form a whole unit and may appoint one [director] trustee for
                  each whole unit formed.
                      (3) If more than 200,000 people reside within the district boundaries, the board of [directors]
                  trustees shall consist of 15 [directors] trustees appointed as described under Subsections (4) and (5).
                      (4) (a) Except as provided under Subsections (4)(b) and (c), the board shall apportion
                  members to each county within the district based on:
                      (i) from the effective date of this act until the apportionment following the year 2000
                  decennial United States Census Bureau report, the proportion of population included in the district
                  and residing within each county, rounded to the nearest 1/15 of the total transit district population;
                  and
                      (ii) beginning with the first apportionment following the year 2000 decennial United States
                  Census Bureau report, an average of:
                      (A) the proportion of population included in the district and residing within each county,
                  rounded to the nearest 1/15 of the total transit district population; and

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                      (B) the proportion of transit sales and use tax collected from areas included in the district and
                  within each county, rounded to the nearest 1/15 of the total transit sales and use tax collected for the
                  transit district.
                      (b) The board shall join an entire or partial county not apportioned a member under this
                  subsection with an adjacent county for representation. The combined apportionment basis included
                  in the district of both counties shall be used for the apportionment.
                      (c) If rounding to the nearest 1/15 of the total transit district apportionment basis under
                  Subsection (4)(a) results in an apportionment of:
                      (i) more than 15 members, the county or combination of counties with the smallest additional
                  fraction of a whole member proportion shall have one less member apportioned to it; or
                      (ii) less than 15 members, the county or combination of counties with the largest additional
                  fraction of a whole member proportion shall have one more member apportioned to it.
                      (5) (a) If the unincorporated area of a county is at least 1/15 of the district's population, the
                  county executive, with the advice and consent of the county legislative body, shall appoint one
                  [director] trustee to represent each 1/15 of the district's population within a county's unincorporated
                  area population.
                      (b) If a municipality's population is at least 1/15 of the district's population, the chief
                  municipal executive, with the advice and consent of the municipal legislative body, shall appoint one
                  [director] trustee to represent each 1/15 of the district's population within a municipality.
                      (c) The number of [directors] trustees appointed from a county and municipalities within a
                  county under Subsections (5)(a) and (b) shall be subtracted from the county's total member
                  apportionment under Subsection (4).
                      (d) If the entire county is within the district, the remaining [directors] trustees for the county
                  shall represent the county or combination of counties if Subsection (4)(b) applies, or the
                  municipalities within the county.
                      (e) If the entire county is not within the district, and the county is not joined with another
                  county under Subsection (4)(b), the remaining [directors] trustees for the county shall represent a
                  municipality or combination of municipalities.

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                      (f) Except as provided under [Subsection] Subsections (5)(a) and (b), [directors] trustees
                  representing counties, combinations of counties if Subsection (4)(b) applies, or municipalities within
                  the county shall be designated and appointed by a simple majority of the chief executives of the
                  municipalities within the county or combinations of counties if Subsection (4)(b) applies. The
                  appointments shall be made by joint written agreement of the appointing municipalities, with the
                  consent and approval of the county legislative body of the county that has at least 1/15 of the district's
                  apportionment basis.
                      (g) [Directors] Trustees representing a municipality or combination of municipalities shall be
                  designated and appointed by the chief executive officer of the municipality or simple majority of chief
                  executive officers of municipalities with the consent of the legislative body of the municipality or
                  municipalities.
                      (h) The appointment of [directors] trustees shall be made without regard to partisan political
                  affiliation from among citizens in the community.
                      (i) Each [director] trustee shall be a bona fide resident of the municipality, county, or
                  unincorporated area or areas which the [director] trustee is to represent for at least six months before
                  the date of appointment, and must continue in that residency to remain qualified to serve as a
                  [director] trustee.
                      (j) (i) Each [director] trustee whose term has not expired and is serving on the effective date
                  of this act shall continue to serve as a [director] trustee until the expiration of the term for which the
                  [director] trustee was appointed, subject to the term limitations under which the [director] trustee was
                  initially appointed.
                      (ii) Beginning on the effective date of this act, any vacancy for which the successor has not
                  taken the oath of office shall be filled in the following order:
                      (A) by a municipality eligible to make an appointment under Subsection (5)(b);
                      (B) by a county eligible to make an appointment for its unincorporated area under Subsection
                  (5)(a); and
                      (C) as otherwise provided under this section.
                      (k) (i) All population figures used under this section shall be the most recent official census

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                  or census estimate of the United States Bureau of the Census.
                      (ii) If population estimates are not made for any county, city, or town by the United States
                  Bureau of Census, population figures shall be determined according to the biennial estimate from the
                  Utah Population Estimates Committee.
                      (iii) All transit sales and use tax totals shall be obtained from the Tax Commission.
                      (l) After the initial apportionment immediately following the effective date of this act, the
                  board shall be apportioned as provided under this section in conjunction with the decennial United
                  States Census Bureau report every ten years.
                      (6) (a) Except the initial [directors] trustees, the terms of office of the [directors] trustees
                  shall be three years or until their successors are appointed, qualified, seated, and have taken the oath
                  of office.
                      (b) At the first meeting of the initial [directors] trustees, the directors shall designate by the
                  drawing of lots 1/3 of their number to serve for one-year terms, 1/3 for two-year terms, and 1/3 for
                  three-year terms.
                      (c) A [director] trustee may not be appointed for more than two successive full terms.
                      (7) (a) Vacancies shall be filled by the official appointing the member creating the vacancy
                  for the unexpired term, unless the official fails to fill the vacancy within 90 days.
                      (b) If the appointing official under Subsection (2) does not fill the vacancy within 90 days,
                  the board of [directors] trustees of the authority shall fill the vacancy.
                      (c) If the appointing official under Subsection (5) does not fill the vacancy within 90 days,
                  the governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall fill the vacancy.
                      (8) (a) Each [director] trustee may cast one vote on all questions, orders, resolutions, and
                  ordinances coming before the board of [directors] trustees.
                      (b) A majority of all members of the board of [directors] trustees are a quorum for the
                  transaction of business.
                      (c) The affirmative vote of a majority of all [directors] trustees present at any meeting at
                  which a quorum was initially present shall be necessary and, except as otherwise provided, is
                  sufficient to carry any order, resolution, ordinance, or proposition before the board of [directors]

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                  trustees.
                      (9) The district shall pay to each [director] trustee:
                      (a) an attendance fee of $50 per board or committee meeting attended, not to exceed $200
                  in any calendar month to any [director] trustee; and
                      (b) reasonable mileage and expenses necessarily incurred to attend board or committee
                  meetings.
                      (10) (a) Members of the initial board of [directors] trustees shall convene at the time and
                  place fixed by the chief executive officer of the entity initiating the proceedings.
                      (b) Immediately upon convening, the board of [directors] trustees shall elect from its
                  membership a president, vice president, and secretary who shall serve for a period of two years or
                  until their successors shall be elected and qualified.
                      (11) [(a)] At the time of a [director's] trustee's appointment or during a [director's] trustee's
                  tenure in office, a [director] trustee may not hold:
                      [(i) hold] (a) any elected public office with the United States, the state, or any political
                  subdivision of either; or
                      [(ii)] (b) any employment, except as an independent contractor, with a county or municipality
                  within the district.
                      [(b) Each director shall:]
                      [(i) take an oath of office before entering the office; and]
                      [(ii) file a copy of the oath with the lieutenant governor and the secretary of the district.]
                      Section 120. Section 17A-2-1039 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1039. Board of directors -- Powers and duties.
                      (1) The board of trustees:
                      [(1) Shall be the legislative body of the district and, in connection with the provisions of this
                  part, shall determine all questions of district policy.]
                      [(2) Shall fix the time and place when regular meetings shall be held and shall provide for the
                  calling and holding of special meetings.]
                      [(3) May contract and take all actions and proceedings and do all other things necessary to

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                  carry out the purposes of this part.]
                      [(4)] (a) Shall determine what transit facilities should be acquired or constructed.
                      [(5)] (b) Shall supervise and regulate every transit facility owned and operated by the district,
                  including the fixing of rates, fares, rentals, charges, and classifications thereof, and making and
                  enforcement of rules, regulations, contracts, practices, and schedules, for or in connection with any
                  transit facility owned or controlled by the district.
                      [(6) Shall prescribe by resolution a system of business administration and create any and all
                  necessary offices and positions of employment, and select and employ, establish, and re-establish the
                  powers, duties, and compensation of all officers and employees and prescribe the periods, terms, and
                  conditions of their employment, and require and fix the amount of all official bonds necessary for the
                  protection of the funds and property of the district.]
                      [(7) May contract for or employ any professional services required by the district or for the
                  performance of work or services for the district which in the opinion of the board cannot satisfactorily
                  be performed by the officers or employees of the district.]
                      [(8)] (c) May make and pass ordinances, resolutions, and orders not repugnant to the
                  Constitution of the United States or of the state [of Utah], or of the provisions of this part, necessary
                  for the government and management of the affairs of the district for the execution of the powers
                  vested in the district and for carrying into effect the provisions of this part. On all ordinances, the roll
                  shall be called and the ayes and nays recorded. Resolutions and orders may be adopted by voice vote,
                  but on demand of any member the roll shall be called. No ordinance shall be adopted unless it is
                  introduced at least a day prior to the time of adoption except by unanimous vote of all members of
                  the board present at a meeting at which there is present not less than [three-fourths] 3/4 of all
                  directors; provided, that in lieu of such previous introduction or unanimous vote, any ordinance may
                  be mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to each member of the board of directors at least five
                  days prior to the day upon which the ordinance shall be presented for adoption. All ordinances shall
                  take effect upon their adoption by the board, unless otherwise provided therein. The board shall fix
                  the location of the principal place of business of the district and the location of all offices and
                  departments.

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                      [(9) May, by ordinance or resolution, delegate and redelegate to officers of the district power
                  to employ clerical, legal, and engineering assistants and labor, and, under such conditions and
                  restrictions as shall be fixed by the directors, power to bind the district by contract.]
                      [(10)] (d) Shall cause an annual audit made of all books and accounts of the district by an
                  independent certified public accountant, and shall as soon as practicable after the close of each fiscal
                  year submit to the chief administrative officers and legislative bodies of cities and counties within the
                  district a financial report showing the result of operations during the preceding fiscal year and the
                  financial status of the district on the final day thereof. Copies of the report shall be supplied to the
                  general public upon request in the quantity deemed appropriate by the board.
                      [(11)] (e) May provide by resolution, under terms and conditions it [deems] considers fit, for
                  the payment of demands against the district, without prior specific approval by the board if the
                  demand is for a purpose for which an expenditure has been previously approved by the board and in
                  an amount no greater than the amount so authorized, and if the demand is approved by the general
                  manager or such other officer or deputy as the board may prescribe.
                      [(12)] (f) May hold public hearings, subpoena witnesses, and perform all other acts necessary
                  to properly carry out its duties. The board may appoint other officers of the district to conduct any
                  hearing who shall make findings and conclusions and report thereon to the board. Each director or
                  designated hearing officer may administer oaths and affirmations in any district investigation or
                  proceeding.
                      (2) The provisions of Title 17B, Chapter 2, Part 4, Board of Trustees, except Sections
                  17B-2-402 , 17B-2-403 , and 17B-2-404 , apply to each public transit district to the same extent as if
                  the public transit district were a local district under Title 17B, Chapter 2, Local Districts.
                      Section 121. Section 17A-2-1040 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1040. District officers -- Appointment -- Duty -- Compensation -- Oath -- Bond.
                      (1) The officers of the district shall consist of: the members of the board of [directors]
                  trustees; a president and vice president who shall be members of the board; a secretary, a general
                  manager, a general counsel, a treasurer, a comptroller, and any other officers, assistants, and deputies
                  the board [deems] considers necessary.

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                      (2) The general manager shall be a full-time officer appointed by the affirmative vote of a
                  majority of the members of the board. The general manager shall serve at the pleasure of the board
                  and may be removed by a majority vote of the board. All other officers and employees other than
                  those mentioned in Subsection (1) shall be appointed by the general manager and shall serve at his
                  pleasure.
                      (3) The compensation of all district officers and employees, except as otherwise provided in
                  this part, shall be fixed by ordinance or resolution of the board.
                      (4) The general counsel shall be a person admitted to practice law in the state [of Utah] and
                  shall have been actively engaged in the practice of law for not less than seven years next preceding
                  his appointment. The person appointed comptroller shall have been actively engaged in the practice
                  of accounting for not less than seven years next preceding his appointment.
                      (5) The oath of office of all officers appointed by the board of [directors] trustees or by the
                  general manager of the district shall be taken, subscribed, and filed with the secretary of the district
                  at any time after the officer has notice of his appointment but not later than 15 days after the
                  commencement of his term of office. No other filing is required.
                      (6) The board may require officers, assistants, deputies, and employees to give bonds and fix
                  the amount thereof.
                      (7) The treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds of the district and make payments only
                  upon warrants duly and regularly signed by the president or vice president, secretary, or general
                  manager or other person authorized by the board. [He] The treasurer shall keep an account of all
                  receipts and disbursements.
                      Section 122. Section 17A-2-1044 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1044. Annual tax levy -- Election.
                      Before June 22, the board of [directors] trustees of the district shall, by resolution, determine
                  the amount of money necessary to be raised by taxation during the fiscal year beginning January 1
                  next preceding to pay the district's operating needs and obligations for the fiscal year, and to
                  recommend to the governing body of each county within the district the rate of taxation for the areas
                  within the district. Upon receipt of the resolution by the board of [directors] trustees of the district,

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                  the governing body of each county may levy a tax not to exceed .0004 per dollar of taxable value of
                  taxable property within the district. This tax may not be imposed unless the county legislative body
                  has provided by resolution [for the submittal of] to submit the proposed tax to a general election
                  within the county in which all electors situated both within and without the incorporated areas of the
                  county may participate and a majority of the electors voting on the proposal have approved it. The
                  county legislative body shall cause 15 days notice of the election to be given in the manner provided
                  by law for giving notice of general elections. The election shall be held, its results canvassed, and the
                  returns made under the provisions of the general election laws. If a majority of the electors voting on
                  the proposal to impose the additional tax have approved the proposal, the additional tax shall become
                  effective on the date fixed by the governing body.
                      Section 123. Section 17A-2-1048 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1048. Annexations to or consolidations with municipalities already within
                  district.
                      Additional municipalities and county areas may be included within or become part of a district
                  by either of the following methods:
                      (1) If any area is annexed to or consolidated with any municipality which is a part of a district
                  organized under these provisions, the annexed or consolidated area shall by virtue of its annexation
                  or consolidation become part of the district and be taxable in accordance with the provisions of this
                  part to pay the indebtedness of the district outstanding at the time of annexation or consolidation.
                      (2) The governing body of any municipality or of any county may apply to and obtain from
                  the comptroller of the district a financial statement showing the financial condition of the district, its
                  assets and liabilities, taxable value of taxable property according to the last assessment, and the names
                  of the municipalities and a description of other areas included in the district. After consideration of
                  the statement, the governing body of the municipality or county may apply to the board of [directors]
                  trustees of the district for consent to annex the municipality or described county area. The board of
                  [directors] trustees after reasonable notice and public hearing may grant or deny the application and
                  in granting it may fix the terms and conditions upon which the area may be annexed. The action of
                  the board of [directors] trustees evidenced by order made on motion shall be promptly transmitted

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                  to the governing body or bodies of the entities applying for annexation, which shall promptly submit
                  the proposition of annexation to the qualified electors of the area. Notice of election shall be given
                  by posting or publication. When notice is given by posting, notice shall be posted for at least ten days
                  in three public places in each area to be annexed. When notice is given by publication, notice shall
                  be published at least once ten days before the date fixed for election in a newspaper of general
                  circulation in the municipality and county area. Publication may be made in one newspaper having
                  general circulation in each of the areas sought to be annexed. Notice shall contain the substance of
                  the terms and conditions fixed by the board of [directors] trustees. Elections shall be conducted and
                  returns canvassed by the governing bodies of the areas seeking annexation. If the annexation
                  proposition receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the electors, the governing body of the
                  municipality or county shall certify the election results to the board of [directors] trustees of the
                  district and a certificate of proceedings shall be made by the secretary of the district and filed with
                  the lieutenant governor. Upon filing the certificate in the office of the lieutenant governor, the
                  municipality or county area shall become an integral part of the district and the taxable property in
                  the municipality or area subject to taxation for the purposes of the district, including the payment of
                  bonds and other obligations of the district at the time authorized or outstanding.
                      (3) No action to contest the validity of annexation proceedings may be commenced more than
                  three months after the certificate of proceedings is filed with the lieutenant governor.
                      (4) Upon annexation the annexed area shall have a representative on the board of [directors]
                  trustees on the same basis as it would have had if it had [it] been included in the district as originally
                  organized.
                      Section 124. Section 17A-2-1049 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1049. Withdrawal from district.
                      Any municipality or unincorporated county area may withdraw from the district in the
                  following manner:
                      The governing body of such municipality, or unincorporated area, may submit to the electors
                  at a special election a proposition for withdrawal from the district. Notice of election shall be given
                  in the manner provided in Section 17A-2-1048 . Elections shall be conducted and returns canvassed

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                  in the manner provided by law for the conduct of municipal elections. If a majority of the electors
                  voting thereon vote in favor of withdrawal, the result thereof shall be certified by the governing body
                  of the municipality or unincorporated area to the board of [directors] trustees of the district and filed
                  with the lieutenant governor. Withdrawal shall become effective upon filing the certificate with the
                  lieutenant governor. Taxable property within the withdrawn area at the time of exclusion shall
                  continue taxable for purposes of paying any bonded indebtedness or judgments against the district
                  incurred prior to the date of withdrawal.
                      Section 125. Section 17A-2-1050 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1050. Conflict of interests prohibited -- Disclosure -- Violation -- Penalty.
                      (1) As used in this section, "relative" means any parent, spouse, child, grandparent,
                  grandchild, great grandparent, great grandchild, or sibling of a [director] trustee, officer, or employee.
                      (2) Except as provided in this section, a [director] trustee or any other officer or employee
                  of the district may not be interested in any manner, directly or indirectly, in any contract or in the
                  profits derived from any contract:
                      (a) awarded by the board of [directors] trustees; or
                      (b) made by any officer or employee pursuant to discretionary authority vested in him.
                      (3) Notwithstanding Subsection (2), when a [director] trustee or other officer or employee
                  of the district is a stockholder, bondholder, director, or other officer or employee of a corporation
                  contracting with the district, the district may contract with that corporation for its general benefit
                  unless the [director] trustee, officer, or employee of the district owns or controls, directly or
                  indirectly, stock or bonds in an amount greater than 5% of the total amount of outstanding stock or
                  bonds.
                      (4) (a) (i) A [director] trustee, officer, or employee of the district who has, or whose relative
                  has, a substantial interest in any contract, sale, purchase, or service to the district shall disclose that
                  interest to the board of [directors] trustees of the district in a public meeting of the board.
                      (ii) The board of [directors] trustees of the district shall disclose that interest in the minutes
                  of its meeting.
                      (b) A [director] trustee, officer, or employee of the district who has, or whose relative has,

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                  a substantial interest in any contract, sale, purchase, or service to the district may not vote upon or
                  otherwise participate in any manner as a [director] trustee, officer, or employee in the contract, sale,
                  or purchase.
                      (5) A [director] trustee, officer, or employee of the district, in contemplation of official action
                  by himself or by the district or in reliance on information to which he has access in his official capacity
                  and which has not been made public, commits misuse of official information if he:
                      (a) acquires a pecuniary interest in any property, transaction, or enterprise that may be
                  affected by the information or official action;
                      (b) speculates or wagers on the basis of the information or official action; or
                      (c) aids, advises, or encourages another to do so with intent to confer upon any person a
                  special pecuniary benefit.
                      (6) Each [director] trustee, officer, and employee who violates this section:
                      (a) is guilty of a class B misdemeanor; and
                      (b) if convicted, his board appointment or district employment is terminated.
                      Section 126. Section 17A-2-1051 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1051. Members of board subject to recall.
                      Every member of the board of [directors] trustees of a district shall be subject to recall for
                  cause by the governing body of the municipality or unincorporated county area from which he is
                  appointed, and any member upon notice may resign his position as [director] trustee.
                      Section 127. Section 17A-2-1052 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1052. Board may promulgate additional rules.
                      The board of [directors] trustees has authority to promulgate rules and regulations not
                  provided in this part for the administration of districts.
                      Section 128. Section 17A-2-1054 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1054. Fiscal year -- Annual statement of revenues and expenditures.
                      The fiscal year of any district incorporated hereunder shall commence on the first day of
                  January of each year and shall continue until the close of the 31st day of December. As promptly as
                  shall be possible after the close of each fiscal year, it shall be the duty of the comptroller of the district

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                  to prepare and transmit to the chief executive officer of each municipality or unincorporated county
                  area within the district a statement of revenues and expenditures in the detail prescribed by the board
                  of [directors] trustees.
                      Section 129. Section 17A-2-1056 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1056. Claims against district -- Procedures.
                      Any person who believes [he has] to have a claim against the district for death, injury, or
                  damage alleged to have been caused by the negligent act or omission of the district shall:
                      (1) file a written notice of claim with the board of [directors] trustees as provided in Title 63,
                  Chapter 30, [the] Utah Governmental Immunity Act; and
                      (2) comply with all the requirements of Title 63, Chapter 30, [the] Utah Governmental
                  Immunity Act, in seeking satisfaction of the claim.
                      Section 130. Section 17A-2-1326 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1326. Administrative control board -- Powers -- Compensation.
                      (1) (a) The governing authority of a municipality or the county legislative body that has
                  established a service district may, by resolution adopted at the time of the establishment or at any time
                  afterwards, create an administrative control board for the service district.
                      (b) (i) The administrative control board shall consist of at least three and no more than seven
                  persons, each of whom is a qualified elector of the service district.
                      (ii) If a county establishes a service district that includes all or part of one or more
                  municipalities or one or more improvement districts organized under Title 17A, Chapter 2, Part 3,
                  County Improvement Districts for Water, Sewerage, Flood Control, Electric and Gas, to provide the
                  same service as the service district, the municipality or improvement district may appoint one member
                  to represent it on any administrative control board created.
                      (iii) That member may, but need not, be a qualified elector of the service district.
                      (c) (i) If a service district is providing commodities, services, or facilities to an institution of
                  higher education, that institution may appoint the number of members necessary to assure that it has
                  at least [one-third] 1/3 of the total of the board members to represent it on the board.
                      (ii) Those members may, but need not, be qualified electors of the service district.

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                      (d) The number of members of the administrative control board shall be increased by the
                  number of improvement district, municipal, or institution of higher education members appointed.
                      (2) Members of the administrative control board other than improvement district, municipal,
                  or institution of higher education members shall be either appointed or elected as provided in Title
                  17A, Chapter 1, Part 3, Special District Board Selection Procedures.
                      (3) (a) If a service district was established to provide either water or sewerage service or
                  both, the governing authority may by resolution adopted at or after the time of establishment, or if
                  the service district was established before March 29, 1983, or within 90 days after that date, create
                  an administrative control board according to Subsection (1).
                      (b) A resolution creating a service district for water or sewerage purposes adopted under
                  Section 17A-2-1305 after March 29, 1983, shall identify all existing water and sewerage districts
                  within the area of the proposed service district.
                      (4) (a) One-half of the members initially elected or appointed shall serve two-year terms and
                  [one-half] 1/2 shall serve four year terms.
                      (b) The initial terms shall be determined by lot.
                      (5) (a) The governing authority of the municipality or the county legislative body that
                  established the service district may, by resolution, delegate any of its powers to the administrative
                  control board, including the power to act as the governing authority of the service district and to
                  exercise all or any of the powers provided for in Sections 17A-2-1314 , 17A-2-1316 , 17A-2-1320 ,
                  and 17A-2-1321 .
                      (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this part, the governing authority of the
                  municipality or the county legislative body may not delegate the power to:
                      (i) levy a tax on the taxable property of the service district;
                      (ii) issue bonds payable from taxes;
                      (iii) call or hold an election for the authorization of the tax or bonds;
                      (iv) levy assessments for improvements in an improvement district created under Title 17A,
                  Chapter 3, Part 3, Municipal Improvement Districts, or Title 17A, Chapter 3, Part 2, County
                  Improvement Districts;

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                      (v) issue interim warrants or bonds payable from those assessments; or
                      (vi) appoint a board of equalization under Section 17A-3-217 or Section 17A-3-317 .
                      (c) The administrative control board may not hold an election, levy a tax or assessment, or
                  issue bonds or interim warrants unless the county or municipal legislative body that created the
                  district has approved.
                      (d) The county or municipal legislative body that created the district may revoke in whole
                  or in part any power or authority delegated to an administrative control board or other officers or
                  employees.
                      (6) [(a)] Administrative control board members [shall be paid at a per diem rate to be set by
                  resolution of the governing authority.] may receive compensation and reimbursement of expenses as
                  provided in Section 17B-2-404 to the same extent as if they were members of a board of trustees of
                  a local district.
                      [(b) The administrative control board shall be assigned or authorized to employ staff
                  commensurate with the duties and functions assigned to it by the governing authority.]
                      Section 131. Section 17A-2-1402 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1402. Short title -- Title of districts and bonds -- Requirements as to publication
                  -- Definitions.
                      This part is known as "Water Conservancy Act"; the districts created hereunder may be
                  termed "water conservancy districts"; and the bonds which may be issued hereunder may be called
                  "water conservancy bonds," and such designation may be engraved or printed on their face.
                      (1) Wherever the term "publication" is used in this part and no manner specified therefor, it
                  shall be taken to mean once a week for three consecutive weeks in at least one newspaper of general
                  circulation in each county wherein such publication is to be made. It shall not be necessary that
                  publication be made on the same day of the week in each of the three weeks, but not less than 14 days
                  (excluding the day of the first publication) shall intervene between the first publication and the last
                  publication, and publication shall be complete on the date of the last publication.
                      (2) Whenever the term "person" is used in this part, and not otherwise specified, it shall be
                  taken to mean a person, firm, copartnership, association or corporation, other than a county, town,

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                  city, city and county, or other political subdivision. Similarly, the words "public corporation" shall
                  be taken to mean counties, city and counties, towns, cities, school districts, metropolitan water
                  districts, irrigation districts, water districts, park districts, subdistricts, and all other governmental
                  agencies of this state, clothed with the power of levying or providing for the levy of general or special
                  taxes or special assessments; and any political subdivision of another state of the United States.
                      (3) Whenever the word "board" is used in this part, and not otherwise specified, it shall be
                  taken to mean the board of [directors] trustees of the district.
                      (4) Whenever the term "works" is used in this part, it shall unless otherwise specified, be held
                  to mean dams, storage reservoirs, compensatory and replacement reservoirs, canals, conduits,
                  pipelines, drains, tunnels, power plants and any and all works, facilities, improvements, and property
                  necessary or convenient for the supplying of water for domestic, irrigation, power, milling,
                  manufacturing, mining, metallurgical and any and all other beneficial uses, and for otherwise
                  accomplishing the purposes of this part.
                      (5) Whenever the term "court" is used in this part, and not otherwise specified, it shall be
                  taken to mean the district court of that judicial district of the state [of Utah] wherein the petition for
                  the organization of a water conservancy district [shall be] is filed.
                      (6) Whenever the term "property" is used in this part, it shall unless otherwise specified, be
                  held to mean real estate and personal property.
                      (7) Whenever the term "land" or "real estate" is used in this part, it shall unless otherwise
                  specified, be held to mean real estate, as the words "real estate" are defined by the laws of the state
                  [of Utah], and shall embrace all railroads, tramroads, highways, electrical roads, street and interurban
                  railroads, roads, streets, and street improvements, telephone, telegraph, and transmission lines, gas,
                  sewer and water systems, water rights, pipelines and rights of ways for public service corporations
                  and all other real property whether held for public or private use.
                      (8) Whenever the term "land" or "property" is used in this part with reference to benefits,
                  appraisals, assessments, or taxes, public corporations shall as political entities, according to benefits
                  received, be considered as included in such reference in the same manner as "land" or "property."
                      Section 132. Section 17A-2-1407 is amended to read:

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                       17A-2-1407. Protest petition -- Objections -- Hearing -- Decree establishing district --
                  Meetings -- Dismissal of petition or proceedings -- Finality and conclusiveness of order --
                  Appeal.
                      (1) At any time after the filing of a petition for the organization of a conservancy district, and
                  not less than 30 days prior to the time fixed by the order of the court for the hearing upon the
                  petition, a petition protesting the creation of the district may be filed in the office of the clerk of the
                  court where the proceeding for the creation of the district is pending. The petition must be signed
                  by not fewer than 20% of the owners of the lands in the proposed district outside the limits of any
                  incorporated city or town, who have not signed the petition for creating the district. The aggregate
                  taxable value of their lands, together with improvements, shall equal at least 20% of the total taxable
                  value of land in the proposed district situated outside the limits of incorporated cities and towns. The
                  protesting petition must also be signed by not fewer than 20% of owners of lands within the limits
                  of each incorporated city and town situated in the proposed district who have not signed the petition
                  for creating the district. The aggregate taxable value of their lands, together with improvements, shall
                  equal at least 20% of the total taxable value of land within the limits of each incorporated city and
                  town in the proposed district. The signers of the protesting petition shall state in the petition:
                      (a) a description of the land owned by each signer; and
                      (b) the land's value as shown by the last preceding assessment.
                      (2) If a proposed water conservancy district will consist of more than one county, the lands
                  within a county shall be eliminated from the petition for organization of the district if a protesting
                  petition is filed, signed by the percentage of owners of land specified in Subsection (1) of the requisite
                  taxable value located in the protesting county.
                      (3) If a petitioner signs the petition as an owner of land situated both inside and outside a
                  municipality, [his] the petitioner's name shall be counted only as an owner of land situated outside a
                  municipality.
                      (4) After the protesting petition is filed, the clerk of the court shall make as many certified
                  copies of the petition, including the signatures, as there are counties in which any part of the proposed
                  district extends, and shall send a certified copy to the county treasurer of each of the counties. Prior

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                  to the hearing date each county treasurer shall determine from the tax rolls of [his] the treasurer's
                  county, and certify to the district court under [his] the treasurer's official seal, the total valuation of
                  the tracts of land listed in the protest, situated in the proposed district within [his] the treasurer's
                  county. On the hearing date of the original petition, if it appears to the court from the certificate and
                  evidence that the protesting petition is not signed by the requisite number of owners of land and of
                  the requisite value as set forth in Subsection (1), the court shall:
                      (a) dismiss the protesting petition; and
                      (b) proceed with the original hearing as provided in this section.
                      (5) If the court finds that the protesting petition is signed by the requisite number of owners
                  of lands, and of the requisite values, the court shall dismiss the original petition for the creation of the
                  district. The finding and order of the court on the issues regarding total valuation, the genuineness
                  of the signatures, and all matters of law and fact incident to the determination shall be final and
                  conclusive on all parties in interest whether appearing or not, unless within 30 days from entry of the
                  order of dismissal an appeal is taken to the Supreme Court as provided in this section.
                      (6) (a) If any owner of real property in the proposed district did not individually sign a
                  petition for the organization of a conservancy district, and objects to the organization and
                  incorporation of the district, [he] the owner may file an objection to the organization and
                  incorporation of the district on or before the date set for the hearing.
                      (b) The objection is limited to a denial of the statements in the petition and shall be heard by
                  the court as an advanced case without unnecessary delay.
                      (7) (a) The court shall, by order, adjudicate all questions of jurisdiction, declare the district
                  organized, and give it a corporate name, if it appears at the hearing that:
                      (i) a petition for the organization of a water conservancy district has been signed and
                  presented pursuant to this part;
                      (ii) the allegations of the petition are true; and
                      (iii) no protesting petition has been filed, or if filed has been dismissed as provided in this
                  section.
                      (b) The district shall be a political subdivision of the state [of Utah] and a body corporate

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                  with all the powers of a public or municipal corporation.
                      (8) (a) In the decree establishing the district, the court shall designate the place where the
                  office or principal place of the district shall be located, which shall be within the corporate limits of
                  the district, and may be changed by order of the court from time to time.
                      (b) The official records and files of the district shall be kept in the district office.
                      (c) The regular meetings of the board shall be held at the office or place of business, but may
                  be held at another convenient place. If a change in meeting place is proposed and the time and place
                  agreed upon by a majority of [directors] trustees at a regular meeting of the board held at the district's
                  office or principal place of business, no other public notice of the changed meeting is required. If,
                  however, a change in the meeting place of the board is set at a place other than the district office or
                  principal place of business, and the time and place are not fixed in a prior meeting of the board at its
                  office or principal place of business during a regular meeting of the board, notice of the time and
                  place of the meeting shall be given by:
                      (i) posting notice at the district's office or principal place of business at least three days before
                  the meeting; and
                      (ii) by publication of a notice of the time and place of the meeting in one issue of a newspaper
                  with general circulation within the district at least three days before the meeting.
                      (9) The court shall dismiss the proceedings and adjudge the costs against the signers of the
                  petition proportionately and equitably if it finds that:
                      (a) the petition has not been signed and presented pursuant to this part; or
                      (b) the material facts are not as set forth in the petition.
                      (10) An appeal to the Supreme Court from the order of dismissal may be taken as provided
                  in this section. Nothing in this part shall be construed to prevent the filing of a subsequent petition
                  for similar improvements or water conservancy districts, and the right to renew the proceedings is
                  expressly granted.
                      (11) If an order is entered establishing the district, the order is final and shall conclusively
                  establish the regular organization of the district against all persons, unless an appeal is taken to the
                  Supreme Court as provided in this section or quo warranto proceedings attacking the order are

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                  instituted on behalf of the state by the attorney general within three months of the order. The
                  organization of the district shall not be directly nor collaterally questioned in any suit, action, or
                  proceeding except as expressly authorized in this part.
                      (12) Any petitioner, protestant, or objector may appeal to the Supreme Court from the order
                  of the district court entered pursuant to this section. Those appeals shall be taken within 30 days
                  from the entry of the order in accordance with the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure.
                      Section 133. Section 17A-2-1409 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1409. Board of trustees -- Selection of members -- Number -- Qualifications --
                  Terms -- Vacancies -- Surety bonds -- Meetings -- Reports.
                      (1) (a) Within 45 days after entry of the decree incorporating the district, the board of
                  [directors] trustees shall be selected as provided in this Subsection (1).
                      (b) For a district that consists of a single county, the county legislative body of that county
                  shall appoint each [director] trustee.
                      (c) (i) For a district that consists of more than a single county, the governor, with the advice
                  and consent of the Senate, shall appoint each [director] trustee from nominees submitted as provided
                  in this Subsection (1)(c).
                      (ii) (A) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(c)(ii)(B), in a division composed solely of
                  incorporated cities, the legislative body of each city within the division shall submit two nominees per
                  [director] trustee.
                      (B) Notwithstanding Subsection (1)(c)(ii)(A), the legislative body of a city may submit fewer
                  than two nominees per [director] trustee if the legislative body certifies in writing to the governor that
                  the legislative body is unable, after reasonably diligent effort, to identify two nominees who are
                  willing and qualified to serve as [director] trustee.
                      (iii) (A) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(c)(iii)(B), in all other divisions, the county
                  legislative body of the county in which the division is located shall submit three nominees per
                  [director] trustee.
                      (B) Notwithstanding Subsection (1)(c)(iii)(A), the county legislative body may submit fewer
                  than three nominees per [director] trustee if the county legislative body certifies in writing to the

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                  governor that the county legislative body is unable, after reasonably diligent effort, to identify three
                  nominees who are willing and qualified to serve as [director] trustee.
                      (iv) If a [director] trustee represents a division located in more than one county, the county
                  governing bodies of those counties shall collectively compile the list of three nominees.
                      (d) In districts where substantial water is allocated for irrigated agriculture, one [director]
                  trustee appointed in that district shall be a person who owns irrigation rights and uses those rights as
                  part of that person's livelihood.
                      [(2) (a) (i) The terms of office shall be fixed so that:]
                      [(A) approximately 1/4 of the directors trustees first appointed, after organization of the
                  district, shall serve for one year;]
                      [(B) approximately 1/4 of the directors trustees first appointed shall serve for two years;]
                      [(C) approximately 1/4 of the directors trustees first appointed shall serve for three years;]
                  and
                      [(D) the remainder of the directors trustees shall serve for four years.]
                      [(ii) All succeeding terms of office shall be four years.]
                      [(b)] (2) (a) The court shall establish the number, representation, and votes of [directors]
                  trustees for each district in the decree creating the district. The board of [directors] trustees of the
                  district shall consist of not more than 11 persons who are residents of the district. If the district
                  consists of five or more counties, the board of [directors] trustees shall consist of not more than 21
                  persons who are residents of the district.
                      [(c)] (b) At least 90 days before expiration of a [director's] trustee's term, the secretary of the
                  board shall:
                      (i) give written notice of vacancies in any office of [director] trustee and of the expiration
                  date of terms of office of [directors] trustees to the county legislative body in single county districts
                  and to the nominating entities and the governor in all other districts; and
                      (ii) publish the notice in a newspaper having general circulation.
                      [(d)] (c) (i) Upon receipt of the notice of the expiration of a [director's] trustee's term or
                  notice of a vacancy in the office of [director] trustee, the legislative body of the city or the county

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                  legislative body, as the case may be, shall nominate candidates to fill the unexpired term of office
                  pursuant to Subsection (1).
                      (ii) If the entity charged with nominating candidates for appointment by the governor has not
                  submitted the list of nominees within 90 days after service of the notice, the governor shall make the
                  appointment from qualified candidates without consultation with the legislative body of the city or
                  the county legislative body.
                      (iii) If the governor fails to appoint, the incumbent shall continue to serve until [his] a
                  successor is appointed and qualified.
                      (iv) Appointment by the governor vests in the appointee, upon qualification, the authority to
                  discharge the duties of [director] trustee, subject only to the advice and consent of the Senate.
                      [(e)] (d) Each [director] trustee shall hold office during the term for which appointed and
                  until a successor is duly appointed and has qualified.
                      (3) Each [director] trustee shall furnish a corporate surety bond at the expense of the district,
                  in amount and form fixed and approved by the court, conditioned for the faithful performance of
                  duties as a [director] trustee.
                      [(4) (a) An annual meeting of the board of directors trustees shall be held on a date to be
                  fixed by the court in the order incorporating the district. The board shall also hold special meetings
                  at least quarterly.]
                      [(b)] (4) (a) A report of the business transacted during the preceding year by the district,
                  including a financial report prepared by certified public accountants, shall be filed with:
                      (i) the clerk of the district court;
                      (ii) the governing bodies of counties with lands within the district; and
                      (iii) cities charged with nominating [directors] trustees.
                      [(c)] (b) No more than 14 days and no less than five days prior to the annual meeting, the
                  district shall have published at least once in a newspaper having general circulation within the district:
                      (i) a notice of the annual meeting; and
                      (ii) the names of the [directors] trustees.
                      [(d)] (c) The district shall have published a summary of its financial report in a newspaper

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                  having general circulation within the district. The summary shall be published no later than 30 days
                  after the date the audit report required under Title 51, Chapter 2, Audits of Political Subdivisions,
                  Interlocal Organizations and Other Local Entities, is required to be filed with the state auditor.
                      [(e)] (d) Subsections (4)[(c)](b) and [(d)] (c) do not apply to districts with annual revenues
                  of less than $1,000,000.
                      Section 134. Section 17A-2-1412 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1412. Duties of secretary -- Board may employ chief engineer, attorney, and
                  other employees.
                      The secretary shall be custodian of the records of the district and of its corporate seal, and
                  shall assist the board in such particulars as it may direct in the performance of its duties. The
                  secretary shall attest, under the corporate seal of the district, all certified copies of the official records
                  and files of the district that may be required [of him] by this part or by any person ordering the same
                  and paying the reasonable cost of transcription, and any portion of the record so certified and attested
                  shall prima facie import verity. [The secretary shall serve also as treasurer of the district, unless a
                  treasurer is otherwise provided for by the board.] The board may also employ a chief engineer, who
                  may be an individual, copartnership or corporation; an attorney, and such other engineers, attorneys
                  and other agents and assistants as may be needful; and may provide for their compensation which,
                  with all other necessary expenditures, shall be taken as a part of the cost or maintenance of the
                  improvement. The chief engineer shall be superintendent of all the works and improvements, and
                  shall make a full report to the board each year, or oftener if required by the board, and may make                   such
                  suggestions and recommendations to the board as [he may deem] the chief engineer considers proper.
                  The secretary and treasurer and such other agents or employees of the district as the court may direct
                  shall furnish corporate surety bonds, at the expense of the district, in amount and form fixed and
                  approved by the court, conditioned upon the faithful performance of their respective duties.
                      Section 135. Section 17A-2-1413 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1413. District powers -- Powers of board of trustees -- Other provisions
                  applicable.
                      (1) (a) Each water conservancy district established under this part:

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                      (i) shall have perpetual succession;
                      (ii) except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), may exercise the power of eminent domain, as
                  provided by law, to take any property necessary to exercise powers granted to the district.
                      (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (1)(a)(ii), a water conservancy district may not:
                      (i) exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire title to or beneficial use of vested water
                  rights for transmountain diversion; and
                      (ii) carry or transport water in transmountain diversion, the title to which has been acquired
                  by a municipality by virtue of eminent domain proceedings.
                      (2) The board [shall have power] of trustees may, on behalf of the district [to]:
                      [(1) have perpetual succession;]
                      [(2)] (a) take by appropriation, grant, purchase, bequest, devise, or lease, and [to] hold and
                  enjoy water, waterworks, water rights, sources of water supply, and any real and personal property
                  within or without the district necessary or convenient to [fully] exercise fully its powers;
                      [(3)] (b) sell, lease, encumber, alienate, or otherwise dispose of water, waterworks, water
                  rights, and sources of water supply for any beneficial use within or without the district, and [to] fix
                  rates and terms for the sale, lease, or other disposal of water;
                      [(4)] (c) acquire, construct, operate, control, and use any works or facilities within or without
                  the district necessary or convenient to exercise its powers;
                      [(5) have and to exercise the power of eminent domain, as provided by law, to take any
                  property necessary to exercise powers granted, except the district may not exercise the power of
                  eminent domain to acquire title to or beneficial use of vested water rights for transmountain diversion,
                  and the district may not carry or transport water in transmountain diversion, the title to which has
                  been acquired by any municipality by virtue of eminent domain proceedings;]
                      [(6)] (d) construct, establish, or maintain works or facilities:
                      [(a)] (i) across or along any public street or highway;
                      [(b)] (ii) in, upon, or over any vacant public lands which are now, or may become, the
                  property of this state in accordance with [Titles] Title 53C, School and Institutional Trust Lands
                  Management Act, and Title 65A, State Lands, except that any such action upon school or institutional

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                  trust lands may only be undertaken with the consent of the director of the School and Institutional
                  Trust Lands Administration, acting pursuant to Sections 53C-1-102 and 53C-1-303 ; or
                      [(c)] (iii) across any streams of water or watercourses;
                      [(7)] (e) contract with any agency of the United States, person, or corporation, public or
                  private, for the construction, preservation, operation, or maintenance of tunnels, drains, pipelines,
                  reservoirs, regulating basins, diversion canals and works, dams, power plants, and any necessary
                  incidental works;
                      [(8)] (f) acquire perpetual rights to the use of water from the works referred to in Subsection
                  [(7)] (2)(e) and to sell perpetual rights to the use of water from those works to persons and
                  corporations, public and private;
                      [(9)] (g) list in separate ownership the lands within the district which are susceptible of
                  irrigation from district sources and to make an allotment of water to all those lands, which allotment
                  of water may not exceed the maximum amount that the board determines could be beneficially used
                  on the lands;
                      [(10)] (h) levy assessments, as provided for by this part, against lands within the district to
                  which water is allotted on the basis of:
                      [(a)] (i) a uniform district-wide value per acre-foot of irrigation water; or
                      [(b)] (ii) a uniform unit-wide value per acre-foot of irrigation water provided that the board
                  divides the district into units and fixes a different value per acre-foot of water in the respective units;
                      [(11)] (i) fix rates for the sale, lease, or other disposal of water, other than irrigation water,
                  at rates that are equitable, although not necessarily equal or uniform, for like classes of service;
                      [(12) contract for services, employ persons, and elect or appoint officers as shall be necessary
                  and convenient to transact the district's business;]
                      [(13)] (j) adopt and modify plans and specifications for the works for which the district was
                  organized;
                      [(14)] (k) investigate and promote water development;
                      [(15)] (l) appropriate and otherwise acquire water and water rights within or without the
                  state;

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                      [(16)] (m) develop, store, and transport water;
                      [(17)] (n) acquire stock in canal companies, water companies, and water users' associations;
                      [(18)] (o) make and adopt plans for and to acquire, construct, operate, and maintain dams,
                  reservoirs, canals, conduits, pipelines, tunnels, power plants, and any works, facilities, improvements,
                  and property necessary or convenient for those purposes;
                      [(19)] (p) generate, distribute, or sell electric power from hydroelectric power plants owned,
                  operated, licensed, or leased by the district if, as determined by the board, the electric power plant
                  was acquired or constructed as an incidental and not the primary purpose of a project for the
                  conservation, development, storage, transportation, or distribution of water;
                      [(20)] (q) invest any surplus money in the district treasury pursuant to [the] Title 51, Chapter
                  7, State Money Management Act;
                      [(21)] (r) refund bonded indebtedness incurred by the district pursuant to rules prescribed by
                  the board;
                      [(22)] (s) borrow money and to issue bonds or other evidence of indebtedness;
                      [(23) adopt bylaws not in conflict with the Utah Constitution and laws of the state for
                  carrying on the business of the board and district;]
                      [(24)] (t) construct works and improvements on land not subject to acquisition by
                  condemnation held by the district for a term of not less than 50 years under lease, easement, or
                  otherwise and to issue bonds to pay the costs for which bonds may be issued as in this part;
                      [(25)] (u) acquire, construct, operate, or maintain works for the irrigation of land;
                      [(26)] (v) sell water and water services to individual customers and to charge sufficient rates
                  for the water and services supplied; however, no sale of water for domestic or culinary use shall be
                  made to a customer located within the limits of any incorporated municipality without the consent
                  of the municipality, except as provided by Subsection 17A-2-1439 (7);
                      [(27)] (w) make and collect fees for customer connections to the works of the district and
                  for permitting and supervising the making of the connections;
                      [(28)] (x) use the proceeds of connection charges for any lawful corporate purpose, including
                  the construction or acquisition of facilities, payment of principal of and interest on bonds, and the

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                  creation of a reserve for such purposes;
                      [(29)] (y) own property for its corporate purposes within the boundaries of incorporated
                  municipalities; and
                      [(30)] (z) adopt a fiscal year, which may end June 30 or December 31.
                      (3) (a) The provisions of Title 17B, Chapter 2, Part 4, Board of Trustees, except Section
                  17B-2-402 , apply to each water conservancy district to the same extent as if the water conservancy
                  district were a local district under Title 17B, Chapter 2, Local Districts.
                      (b) (i) If a change in the expiration date of the term of a board of trustees member is
                  necessary to comply with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-403 (1), the term of each board
                  member whose term expires on a day other than the first Monday in January shall be extended to the
                  first Monday in January after the normal expiration date next following the special district election
                  date under Section 17A-1-305 .
                      (ii) If a change in the length of the term of a board of trustees member is necessary to comply
                  with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-403 (2), the change may not take effect until the expiration
                  of the term of the member whose term length is to be changed.
                      Section 136. Section 17A-2-1420 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1420. Organization of subdistricts -- Authority -- Bonds -- Board of trustees --
                  Powers -- Validation of proceedings -- Separability clause.
                      (1) Subdistricts may be organized upon the petition of owners of real property, within or
                  partly within and partly without the district, which petition shall be in substantially the same form and
                  shall fulfill the same requirements concerning the subdistricts as the petition outlined in Section
                  17A-2-1404 is required to fulfill concerning the organization of the main district. The petition shall
                  also contain a statement of the initial quantity of water which the subdistrict proposes to acquire from
                  the district for perpetual use, and the court shall, prior to the entry of its decree organizing a
                  subdistrict, require that the petitioners attach to the petition written evidence of the consent of the
                  board of [directors] trustees of the district to furnish each subdistrict the perpetual use of water for
                  the purpose specified. Petitions for the organization of subdistricts shall be filed with the clerk of the
                  court and shall be accompanied by a bond as provided for in Section 17A-2-1405 . The procedure for

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                  the organization of subdistricts shall be the same as for the organization of districts, except that the
                  provisions of Section 17A-2-1404 respecting the minimum taxable value of land and improvements
                  within districts does not apply to subdistricts. A subdistrict shall be a separate entity within the
                  district, may contract with the district for the furnishing of water and for other purposes, and in
                  addition to any other authority granted under this part, may issue its bonds pursuant to and in
                  conformity with the provisions of this part for the following purposes: (a) acquiring or constructing
                  all or part of an irrigation water system to be operated by the subdistrict for the purpose of providing
                  irrigation water for agricultural and residential land within the boundaries of the subdistrict, including
                  as a part of the subdistrict, the purchase or acquisition of stock in canal companies, water companies,
                  and water users' associations and the acquisition or purchase of water rights and sources of water
                  supply; and (b) constructing water pipelines and storage works, purchase of water and water rights,
                  operation of waterworks systems for the purpose of providing municipal water within the boundaries
                  of the subdistrict and for this purpose the subdistrict board has the same powers, rights, and privileges
                  granted to a district board referred to in Sections 17A-2-1413 , 17A-2-1421 , 17A-2-1422 , and
                  17A-2-1424 , to carry out its separate purposes under the provisions of this part. The subdistrict board
                  may contract with the district for the furnishing of water for the purposes as stated in the initial
                  petition as well as other purposes. Within 30 days after entering the decree incorporating a
                  subdistrict, the county legislative body of the county shall appoint a board of [directors] trustees of
                  the subdistrict not exceeding seven persons who are owners of real property in the subdistrict and
                  who are not [directors] trustees of the district. Vacancies in subdistricts shall be filled by the county
                  legislative body of the county. The board of [directors] trustees of a subdistrict has all of the powers,
                  rights, and privileges granted to a district board, including specifically, but not limited to, the right
                  of the subdistrict board to levy and collect taxes and assessments referred to in Sections 17A-2-1423
                  through 17A-2-1430 , to carry out its separate purposes, including the payment of principal and
                  interest on bonds payable in whole or in part from the proceeds of assessments and taxes levied under
                  this part issued by the subdistrict under this part. These taxes and assessments may be levied and
                  collected by a subdistrict, notwithstanding the fact that taxes and assessments are being levied and
                  collected by the district in which the subdistrict may lie, to carry out the district purposes; but the

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                  taxes levied and collected pursuant to Section 17A-2-1423 may not exceed .0002 per dollar of                   taxable
                  value of taxable property within the subdistrict to pay the expenses of its organization and
                  administration and may not exceed .0002 per dollar of taxable value of taxable property for all
                  purposes.
                      (2) Each subdistrict created under this section may exercise all powers granted to subdistricts
                  under this part, it being expressly found and determined that all taxable property lying in each
                  subdistrict will be [benefited] benefitted by the acquisition or construction of the improvements
                  acquired or constructed by the district to an amount not less than the aggregate of the taxes and
                  assessments levied against the property to pay for the cost of acquisition or construction. Wherever
                  proceedings are adopted under authority of this part purporting to create any subdistrict, all
                  proceedings in connection with the creation of each subdistrict are validated, ratified, and confirmed,
                  notwithstanding any failure to comply with any one or more pertinent statutory provisions; and each
                  subdistrict is declared to be a validly created and existing subdistrict under authority of law.
                      (3) If any provision of this part, or the application of any provision to any person or
                  circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of this part is not affected.
                      Section 137. Section 17A-2-1425 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1425. Board may sell or lease water to irrigation districts -- Levy and collection
                  of special assessments under class C.
                      To levy and collect special assessments upon lands under class C as herein provided, the board
                  shall make an allotment of water to each of the petitioning irrigation districts within the district in the
                  manner as hereinafter provided in such quantity as will in the judgment of the board, when added to
                  the present supply of water of such irrigation district, make an adequate supply of water for such
                  irrigation district, and shall fix and determine the rates per acre-foot or other unit of measurement,
                  the service, turnout, connection, distribution system charges or other charges and terms at and upon
                  which water shall be sold, leased or otherwise disposed of to such irrigation district; provided,
                  however, that such rates and charges shall be equitable although not necessarily equal or uniform for
                  like classes of services throughout the district. [In the event] If any irrigation district [shall desire]
                  desires to purchase, lease, or otherwise obtain the beneficial use of waters of the district, the board

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                  of such irrigation district shall by resolution authorize and direct its [president] chair and secretary
                  to petition the board for an allotment of water, upon terms prescribed by the board, which petition
                  shall contain, inter alia, the following:
                      (1) Name of irrigation district.
                      (2) Quantity of water to be purchased or otherwise acquired.
                      (3) Price per acre-foot or other unit of measurement and the amount of any service,
                  connection, distribution system charge or other charges to be paid.
                      (4) Whether payments are to be made in cash or annual installments.
                      (5) Agreement by such irrigation district to make payments for the beneficial use of such
                  water, together with annual maintenance and operating charges, and to be bound by the provision of
                  this part and the rules and regulations of the board.
                      The secretary of the board shall cause notice of the filing of such petition to be given and
                  published, which notice shall state the filing of such petition and giving notice to all persons interested
                  to appear at the office of the board at a time named in [said] the notice and show cause in writing,
                  if any they have, why the petition should not be granted. The board at the time and place mentioned
                  in [said] the notice, or at such time or times at which the hearing of [said] the petition may be
                  adjourned, shall proceed to hear the petition and objections thereto, presented, in writing, by any
                  person showing cause [as aforesaid] why [said] the petition should not be granted. The failure of any
                  person interested to show cause in writing, as aforesaid, shall be [deemed and taken as] considered
                  an assent [on his part] to the granting of [said] the petition. The board may, at its discretion, accept
                  or reject the [said] petition, but if it [deems] considers it for the best interest of the district that the
                  [said] petition [shall] be granted, shall enter an order to that effect granting the [said] petition, and
                  from and after such order, the irrigation district, and/or persons therein shall be deemed to have
                  purchased, leased, or otherwise acquired the beneficial use of water as set forth in [said] the order.
                  If [said] the petition is granted, the board shall, in each year, determine the amount of money
                  necessary to be raised by special assessment on lands within such irrigation district and shall
                  determine whether such special assessment shall be levied by the district or by the irrigation district.
                  If the board determines that such assessments shall be levied by the district, it shall certify to the

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                  county auditor of the county in which the lands of such irrigation district are located the amount of
                  the assessment, plus a fair proportionate amount of the estimated operating and maintenance charges
                  for the next succeeding year on each tract of land on or before the 1st day of July of each year, and
                  such county auditor shall extend the amount of such special assessment, plus [said] the operating and
                  maintenance charges on the tax roll as a special assessment against the lands on which [said] the
                  special assessment is made. If the board determines that such assessments shall be levied by the
                  irrigation district, the district shall make a contract with the irrigation district which shall provide
                  among other things for the annual payment to the district of an amount to be obtained from the levy
                  by the irrigation district of annual assessments in accordance with the irrigation district law. If
                  subdistrict or subdistricts are organized as herein provided, assessments of special benefits shall be
                  made, spread on the tax rolls and collected in the same manner as herein provided in the case of
                  irrigation districts.
                      Section 138. Section 17A-2-1437 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1437. Change of boundaries -- Petitions for and against inclusion within district
                  -- Hearing -- Petition protesting inclusion -- Hearing -- Appeal -- Annexation -- Hearings --
                  Objections -- Order of inclusion -- Findings and decrees -- Appeal.
                      (1) The boundaries of any district organized under this part may be changed as provided by
                  this section, but the change of boundaries of the district shall not impair or affect:
                      (a) its organization;
                      (b) its rights in or to property;
                      (c) any of its other rights or privileges; or
                      (d) any contract, obligation, lien, or charge for or upon which it might be liable or chargeable
                  had the change of boundaries not been made.
                      (2) (a) (i) The owners of lands which are either contiguous or noncontiguous to the district
                  and to each other may file a written petition with the board requesting that their lands be included in
                  the district. The petition shall contain:
                      (A) a description of the tracts or body of land sought to be included; and
                      (B) the signatures, acknowledged in the same form as conveyances of real estate, of the

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                  owners of the lands.
                      (ii) A petition filed in this form will be considered to give assent of the petitioners to the
                  inclusion within the district of the lands described in the petition.
                      (b) The board shall, within 90 days after the filing of the petition, set and convene a hearing
                  to consider the petition and all objections.
                      (c) The secretary of the board shall cause notice of the filing of the petition to be given and
                  published in the county in which the lands are situated. This notice shall state:
                      (i) the names of petitioners;
                      (ii) a description of lands mentioned;
                      (iii) the request of the petitioners; and
                      (iv) that all persons interested must appear at the office of the board at the time named in the
                  notice and state in writing why the petition should not be granted.
                      (d) The board shall at the appropriate time, proceed to hear the petition and review the
                  written objections to the petition. The failure of any person to show cause, in writing, shall be
                  considered to be [his] that person's assent to the inclusion of these lands within the district.
                      (e) If any of the lands proposed for inclusion in the district are located within a municipality,
                  the petitioners shall, before the date of the hearing set by the board, obtain from the municipality's
                  governing body its written consent to the inclusion of the land located within the municipality.
                      (f) (i) If any of the lands proposed for inclusion in the district are located within a
                  municipality's proposed municipal expansion area established by the municipality's annexation policy
                  declaration adopted under Title 10, Chapter 2, Part 4, [Extension of Corporate Limits - Local
                  Boundary Commissions] Annexation, the petitioners shall, before the date of the hearing set by the
                  board, obtain from that municipality's governing body its written consent to the inclusion of the land
                  located within the area proposed for municipal expansion.
                      (ii) Subsection (2)(f)(i) does not apply if the land proposed for inclusion in the district is
                  located within the proposed municipal expansion area of more than one municipality in a county of
                  the first class.
                      (g) If any of the lands proposed for inclusion in the district are located within a county not

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                  previously containing any part of the district, the petitioners shall, before the date of the hearing set
                  by the board, obtain from the county's legislative body its written consent to the inclusion of the land
                  located within that county.
                      (h) If any of the lands proposed for inclusion in the district are located within the
                  unincorporated portion of a county, the petitioners shall, before the date of the hearing set by the
                  board, obtain from the county's legislative body its written consent to the inclusion of that land.
                      (i) If the petition is granted, the board shall make an order to that effect and file the petition
                  with the clerk of the court and upon order of the court the lands shall be included in the district.
                      (3) (a) In addition to the method provided in Subsection (2), additional areas may be included
                  in a district by petition as described in this subsection. A written petition may be filed to include:
                      (i) irrigated lands;
                      (ii) nonirrigated lands;
                      (iii) land in towns and cities;
                      (iv) other lands; or
                      (v) any combination of lands under this Subsection (3)(a). These lands may be contiguous
                  or noncontiguous to the district and to each other.
                      (b) The petition [must] shall:
                      (i) be filed in the district court of the county in which the petition for organization of the
                  original district was filed;
                      (ii) include the signatures, acknowledged in the same form as conveyances of real estate, of
                  not fewer than 20% or 500, whichever is the lesser, of the owners of irrigated lands in the area, but
                  outside the corporate limits of a city or town;
                      (iii) include the signatures, acknowledged in the same form as conveyances of real estate, of
                  not fewer than 5% or 100, whichever is the lesser, of the owners of nonirrigated lands and lands
                  within the incorporated limits of a city or town, which are within the area specified in the petition;
                      (iv) list a description of each tract of land owned by the signer opposite the name of the
                  signer, with an indication that each tract, together with its improvements, has a taxable value of not
                  less than $300; and

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                      (v) set forth:
                      (A) a general description of the territory in the area sought to be included in the district;
                      (B) the name of the district in which it is sought to be included;
                      (C) the terms and conditions upon which inclusion is sought;
                      (D) a statement that the property sought to be included will be [benefited] benefitted by the
                  accomplishment of the purposes for which the original district was formed; and
                      (E) a request for inclusion of the area in the district.
                      (c) No petition with the requisite signatures [shall] may be declared null and void because of
                  alleged defects, but the court may permit the petition to be amended to conform to the facts by
                  correcting any errors. However, similar petitions or duplicate copies of the petition for the inclusion
                  of the same area may be filed and shall together be regarded as one petition. All petitions filed prior
                  to the hearing on the first petition shall be considered by the court the same as though filed with the
                  first petition. In determining whether the requisite number of landowners has signed the petition, the
                  names as they appear upon the tax roll shall be prima facie evidence of their ownership.
                      (d) At the time of filing the petition or at any time before, and prior to the time of hearing on
                  the petition, a bond shall be filed, with security approved by the court sufficient to pay all expenses
                  connected with the proceedings in the case. If at any time during the proceeding the court determines
                  that the first bond is insufficient, the court may require that an additional bond be obtained within ten
                  days following the court's request. If the petitioner fails to obtain a bond, the petition shall be
                  dismissed.
                      (e) Immediately after the filing of the petition, the district court of the county where the
                  petition is filed shall fix a place and time between 60 and 90 days after the petition is filed for a
                  hearing. The clerk of the court shall then publish notice of the pendency of the petition and of the time
                  and place of hearing. The clerk of the court shall also mail a copy of the notice by registered mail to:
                      (i) the board of [directors] trustees of the district;
                      (ii) the county legislative body of each of the counties with land within the area proposed to
                  be included in the district; and
                      (iii) the governing body of each of the cities or towns having territory within the area

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                  proposed to be included within the district.
                      (f) If any of the lands proposed for inclusion in the district are located within a municipality,
                  the petitioners shall, before the date of the hearing set by the district court, obtain from the
                  municipality's governing body its written consent to the inclusion of the land located within the
                  municipality.
                      (g) (i) If any of the lands proposed for inclusion in the district are located within a
                  municipality's proposed municipal expansion area established by the municipality's annexation policy
                  declaration adopted under Title 10, Chapter 2, Part 4, [Extension of Corporate Limits - Local
                  Boundary Commissions] Annexation, the petitioners shall, before the date of the hearing set by the
                  board, obtain from that municipality's governing body its written consent to the inclusion of the land
                  located within the area proposed for municipal expansion.
                      (ii) Subsection (3)(g)(i) does not apply if the land proposed for inclusion in the district is
                  located within the proposed municipal expansion area of more than one municipality in a county of
                  the first class.
                      (h) If any of the lands proposed for inclusion in the district are located within a county not
                  previously containing any part of the district, the petitioners shall, before the date of the hearing set
                  by the district court, obtain from the county's legislative body its written consent to the inclusion of
                  the land located within that county.
                      (i) If any of the lands proposed for inclusion in the district are located within the
                  unincorporated portion of a county, the petitioners shall, before the date of the hearing set by the
                  district court, obtain from the county's legislative body its written consent to the inclusion of that
                  land.
                      (j) After the filing of a petition for inclusion of an additional area and at least 30 days prior
                  to the time fixed by the court for the hearing on the petition, a petition protesting the inclusion of the
                  lands within the district may be filed in the clerk's office of the court where the proceeding for
                  inclusion is pending. The protest petition must contain:
                      (i) the signatures, acknowledged in the same form as conveyances of real estate, of at least:
                      (A) 35% of the owners of irrigated lands in the area sought to be included, but not within the

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                  incorporated limits of a city or town; and
                      (B) 20% of the owners of nonirrigated lands and lands within the incorporated limits of a city
                  or town within the area proposed to be included within the district; and
                      (ii) a description of each tract of land opposite the name of the signer, with an indication that
                  each tract, together with its improvements, has an assessed value of at least $300.
                      (k) A landowner may protest if he:
                      (i) did not sign the petition for inclusion; and
                      (ii) owns land, including improvements thereon, which had a taxable value of at least $300
                  as shown by the last preceding assessment.
                      (l) If a petitioner signs the petition both as owner of irrigated and nonirrigated land, his name
                  counts only as an owner of irrigated lands.
                      (m) On the day set for the hearing on the original petition, if it appears to the court that the
                  protesting petition does not meet the requirements of Subsection (3)(j), the court shall dismiss the
                  protesting petition and proceed with the original hearing as provided in this section. If the court finds
                  from the evidence that the protesting petition does qualify, the court shall dismiss the original petition
                  for inclusion. The finding of the court upon the question of valuation, the genuineness of the
                  signatures, and all matters of law and fact incident to this determination shall be final and conclusive
                  on all parties in interest whether appearing or not, unless within 30 days from entry of the order of
                  dismissal an appeal is taken to the Supreme Court.
                      (n) (i) Any owner of real property in the proposed area who did not individually sign a
                  petition for the inclusion, but who desires to object to the inclusion, may, on or before ten days prior
                  to the date set for the cause to be heard, file an objection to the inclusion. This objection shall be
                  heard by the court as an advanced case without unnecessary delay.
                      (ii) An owner of irrigated lands may file a petition asking to have [his] the owner's irrigated
                  lands excluded from the inclusion pursuant to the requirements of Subsection (3)(n)(i). This petition
                  shall be heard by the district court on the date set for the hearing of the petition for inclusion of the
                  area and the district court shall exclude these irrigated lands from the area proposed for inclusion
                  within the district.

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                      (o) If it appears at the hearing that a petition for the inclusion has been signed and presented
                  as provided in Subsections (3)(a) and (b), that each written consent required by Subsections (3)(f),
                  (g),(h), and (i) has been obtained, that the allegations of the petition are true, and that no protesting
                  petition has been filed, or if filed has been dismissed as provided in Subsection (3)(m), the court shall:
                      (i) adjudicate all questions of jurisdiction;
                      (ii) find that the property described in the petition will, if included, be [benefited] benefitted
                  by the accomplishment of the purposes for which the original district was formed;
                      (iii) declare the area included in the district;
                      (iv) declare whether the area is annexed to an existing division, or constitutes a separate
                  division; and
                      (v) declare whether the area can be properly represented by existing [directors] trustees or
                  whether the number of [directors] trustees shall be increased to provide for representation of the area
                  annexed. However, prior to the entry of its decree including such area within the district, the court
                  shall obtain the verified consent of the board of [directors] trustees of the district to the inclusion of
                  such area.
                      (p) If the court finds that the petition for inclusion has not been signed and presented
                  pursuant to this section, that any written consent required by Subsections (3)(f), (g), (h), and (i) has
                  not been obtained, or that the material facts are not as set forth in the petition filed, it shall dismiss
                  the proceedings and adjudge the costs against the signers of the petition in such proportion as it
                  considers just and equitable. An appeal to the Supreme Court shall lie from an order dismissing the
                  proceeding. Nothing in this part shall be construed to prevent the filing of a subsequent petition or
                  petitions for similar purposes, and the right to renew such proceeding is expressly granted.
                      (4) (a) If lands are annexed into a public corporation which corporation is already part of the
                  district described in this part and these annexed lands are not located within the district's boundaries,
                  the board may make a finding that these lands are not part of the district, and that these lands are or
                  may be [benefited] benefitted from the service provided by the district. Upon making this finding, the
                  board shall set a time and place for a public hearing to hear objections as to why these lands should
                  not be annexed and included within the district. The secretary of the board shall cause notice of the

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                  time and place of the hearing to consider the inclusion of the lands within the district to be given and
                  published in the county in which the lands are situated. The notice shall:
                      (i) state a general description of the lands;
                      (ii) state that the lands are being considered for inclusion within the district; and
                      (iii) give notice to all interested persons to appear at the time and place named in the notice
                  and show cause, in writing, as to why the lands should not be included within the district. The
                  secretary shall mail a copy of the notice by registered mail to the governing body of the public
                  corporation and to the landowners.
                      (b) Before the date set for the hearing, the board shall obtain the written consent of the public
                  corporation's governing body to the inclusion of the lands into the district.
                      (c) The board shall, at the time and place named in the notice or at any time at which the
                  hearing may be adjourned, proceed to hear all objections to the inclusion of the lands within the
                  district. The failure of any interested person to appear or show cause, in writing, shall be [taken]
                  considered as an assent on his part to the inclusion of the lands within the district. If, after hearing
                  all objections to the inclusion of the land within the district, the board has obtained the consent of the
                  public corporation's governing body as required in Subsection (4)(b) and determines that the lands
                  will be [benefited] benefitted by inclusion within the district, the board shall make an order to that
                  effect. Upon filing the order with the clerk of the court and upon order of the court, the lands shall
                  be included in the district.
                      (d) A finding by the board that the lands will not be [benefited] benefitted by inclusion within
                  the district shall not preclude the board at any subsequent date from finding that changed conditions
                  or circumstances now benefit the lands. After making this finding the board may renew the
                  proceedings for inclusion of these lands in whole or in part and find that the lands will be [benefited]
                  benefitted by inclusion in the district and make an order to that effect. Upon filing the order with the
                  clerk of the court and upon order of the court, the lands shall be included in the district.
                      (e) If the board finds that any portion of land to be annexed into the district is presently
                  receiving water from another public water system, the board shall exclude that portion of land from
                  the land to be annexed into the district.

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                      (5) Upon the entry of the decree, the clerk of the court shall transmit to the Division of
                  Corporations and Commercial Code and the county recorder in each of the counties having lands in
                  the area, copies of the findings and decrees of the court. The findings and decrees shall be filed with
                  the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code pursuant to the general laws concerning
                  corporations. Copies shall also be filed in the office of the county recorder in each county in which
                  the district is located where they will become permanent records. The recorder in each county shall
                  receive the fee designated by the county legislative body for filing and preservation. The Office of
                  the Lieutenant Governor shall receive fees as may be provided by law for like services in similar cases.
                      (6) If an order is entered establishing the inclusion of the area into the district, such order
                  shall be final unless within 30 days an appeal is taken to the Supreme Court. The entry of a final order
                  shall conclusively establish the inclusion of the area against all persons, except that the state may
                  attack the order in an action in the nature of a writ of quo warranto, commenced by the attorney
                  general within three months after the decree declaring the area included. The inclusion of the area
                  shall not be directly or collaterally questioned in any suit, action, or proceeding, except as expressly
                  authorized.
                      (7) Any area included in a district pursuant to this part shall be subject to taxes and
                  assessments levied for the payment of indebtedness of the district which was outstanding at the time
                  of the entry of the order for inclusion, and for the payment of indebtedness thereafter incurred as if
                  the area were a part of the district as originally established.
                      (8) The boundaries of any subdistrict may be changed in the manner provided in this part for
                  the change of the boundaries of districts.
                      Section 139. Section 17A-2-1439 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1439. Contracts providing for payment in installments -- Issuance and sale of
                  bonds -- Sinking fund -- Covenants -- Default -- Revenue obligations -- Refunding bonds.
                      (1) (a) (i) To pay for construction, operation, and maintenance of works, and expenses
                  preliminary and incidental to them, the board may enter into contracts with the United States of
                  America or its agencies, providing for payment in installments.
                      (ii) To pay for all or part of the cost of the construction or acquisition of any works, to pay

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                  for the improvement and extension of them, to pay expenses preliminary and incidental to them, to
                  pay interest on the bonds during acquisition and construction, to provide for necessary reserves, and
                  to pay costs of issuance and sale of the bonds (including, without limitation, printing, registration and
                  transfer costs, legal fees, financial advisor's fees, and underwriter's discount), the board may issue the
                  bonds of the district as provided in this section.
                      (b) The indebtedness or obligation represented by any bonds issued by or any contract
                  entered into by the board may be payable in whole or in part from all or part of the revenues derived
                  by the district from the operation of all or any designated portion of its works, from the proceeds of
                  assessments and taxes levied under this part, or from any combination of those revenues, assessments,
                  and taxes.
                      (c) The indebtedness or obligation represented by any bonds issued by or any contract
                  entered into by the board may be incurred for the acquisition, construction, or both, of all or part of
                  any works, for the improvement or extension of any works, or for a system of works for the
                  distribution of water or for the treatment of water or both, whether or not the works of the district
                  so acquired, constructed, improved, or extended include a source of water supply.
                      (d) (i) These bonds shall be issued and sold in compliance with Title 11, Chapter 14, Utah
                  Municipal Bond Act, and may be in the form and denominations and have provisions and details
                  permitted by the Utah Municipal Bond Act, except that the bonds shall mature serially or otherwise
                  and contract payment installments shall fall due at any time or times not later than 50 years from their
                  date.
                      (ii) The bonds and any evidences of participation interests in the bonds may be issued,
                  executed, authenticated, registered, transferred, exchanged, and otherwise made to comply with Title
                  15, Chapter 7, Registered Public Obligations Act, or any other statute relating to the registration of
                  bonds enacted to meet the requirements of Section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as
                  amended, or any similar or successor federal law, and applicable regulations.
                      (2) (a) Bonds may be issued hereunder at one time or from time to time.
                      (b) If more than one issue or series of bonds is delivered hereunder, the bonds of the
                  respective issues or series shall have priorities of payment as provided in the proceedings authorizing

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                  the bonds.
                      (3) (a) Any resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds or the entering into of a contract
                  indebtedness or obligation payable in installments hereunder shall provide for the creation of a sinking
                  fund into which shall be paid from the revenues, assessments, and taxes, any or all, pledged to the
                  payment in the authorizing resolution sums fully sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the
                  bonds or on the contract indebtedness or obligation and to create a reserve for contingencies as
                  required by the resolution.
                      (b) Any resolution so authorizing bonds or the entering into of a contract indebtedness or
                  obligation may contain those covenants with the future holders of the bonds or the other contracting
                  party as to the management and operation of the properties and works of the district, the imposition
                  and collection of fees and charges, including taxes and assessments, for the water and services
                  furnished thereby, the disposition of the fees and revenues, the issuance of future bonds and the
                  incurring of future contract indebtedness or obligations and the creation of future liens and
                  encumbrances against the works and the revenues thereof, the carrying of insurance on the works and
                  the disposition of the proceeds of insurance, the sale, disposal, or alienation of the works, and other
                  pertinent matters [deemed] considered necessary or proper by the board to assure the merchantability
                  of the bonds or the execution of the contract.
                      (c) These covenants and agreements may not be inconsistent with this section.
                      (4) (a) It may be provided in the resolution that any holder of the bonds or any contracting
                  party may by appropriate legal action compel performance of all duties required of the board and the
                  officials of the district by this part and the resolution authorizing the bonds or contract.
                      (b) If any bond issued or any contract entered into hereunder is permitted to go into default
                  as to any installment of principal or interest, any court of competent jurisdiction may, pursuant to the
                  application of the holder of any bond or of the other contracting party, appoint a receiver to operate
                  the works of the district and to collect and distribute the revenues thereof under the resolution, this
                  part, and as the court may direct.
                      (5) (a) When the district has issued bonds or entered into a contract and pledged any
                  revenues of the works for the payment of them as provided in this part, the district shall impose and

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                  collect fees and charges for water and services furnished by the works in that amount and at those
                  rates fully sufficient at all times (in conjunction with the proceeds of available taxes and assessments
                  if the bonds or contract indebtedness or obligation are also payable in part from the proceeds of
                  assessments and taxes levied under this part) to pay the expenses of operating and maintaining the
                  works, to provide a sinking fund sufficient to assure the prompt payment of principal of and interest
                  on the bonds or contract indebtedness or obligation as principal and interest fall due, and to provide
                  those funds for reserves and contingencies and for a depreciation fund for repairs, extensions, and
                  improvements to the works as [deemed] considered necessary to assure adequate and efficient
                  service, all as may be required by the resolution.
                      (b) No board or commission other than the board of [directors] trustees of the district has
                  authority over or is required to approve the making or fixing of fees and charges, the acquisition of
                  property by the district, the issuance of its bonds, or the entering into of a contract.
                      (6) (a) The board of any district that issues or has issued any bonds under this part, or that
                  enters or has entered into any contracts under this part, may issue bonds hereunder for the purpose
                  of refunding all or any part of the outstanding bonds, or the outstanding indebtedness or obligation
                  represented by the contracts, or in part for the purpose of the refunding and in part for the purpose
                  of acquiring, constructing, improving, or extending works for the district.
                      (b) If bonds are issued solely for refunding purposes, the election required by Section
                  17A-2-1440 is not a condition precedent to the issuance of the bonds.
                      (c) Refunding bonds so authorized:
                      (i) may be sold and the proceeds thereof applied to or deposited in an escrow and invested
                  pending the retirement of the outstanding bonds; or
                      (ii) may be delivered in exchange for the outstanding bonds.
                      (d) The refunding bonds shall be authorized and secured in the manner herein provided for
                  the issuance and securing of other bonds and may, but are not required to, have the same source of
                  security and payment as the bonds refunded.
                      (7) (a) If bonds have been issued or a contract indebtedness or obligation has been incurred
                  hereunder payable in whole or in part from revenues to be derived from supplying water to the

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                  inhabitants of territory which was not at the time of the issuance of the bonds or the entering into of
                  the contract contained within the corporate limits of any municipality or any other district created for
                  the purpose of supplying water to the territory, the district shall thereafter be the sole public
                  corporation or political subdivision authorized to supply water to this area.
                      (b) No municipal corporation or other district into which any part of the territory is
                  incorporated or included has authority either to supply water to the inhabitants of the corporation or
                  district or to grant a franchise for the supplying of the water.
                      (c) Nothing contained in this Subsection (7) prevents the modification of this restriction
                  contained by the district if modification does not in any way jeopardize the prompt payment of
                  principal of and interest on the bonds of the district then outstanding or of the payment of installments
                  of indebtedness or obligation under a contract.
                      Section 140. Section 17A-2-1440 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1440. Election for issuance of bonds or incurring contract indebtedness or
                  obligation -- When an election is not required.
                      (1) If the majority of a water conservancy district board approves a resolution determining
                  that the interests of the district and the public interest or necessity demand the acquisition,
                  construction, or completion of any water supply, waterworks, improvements, or facilities, or the
                  making of any contract with the United States or other persons or corporations, public or private, to
                  carry out the purposes of the district, wherein an indebtedness or obligation is created, to satisfy
                  which requires an expenditure greater than the ordinary annual income and revenue of the district,
                  the board shall adopt a resolution directing that an election be held to determine whether bonds shall
                  be issued, or an indebtedness or obligation under a contract shall be incurred in the amount and for
                  the purposes specified in the resolution.
                      (2) The following shall be subject to the conditions provided in Title 11, Chapter 14, Utah
                  Municipal Bond Act:
                      (a) adoption of the resolution calling the election;
                      (b) giving notice of the election;
                      (c) conduct of the election;

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                      (d) determination of voters' qualifications; and
                      (e) canvassing of election results.
                      (3) The board may, for purposes of the election:
                      (a) treat the entire district as a single precinct or divide the district into precincts; and
                      (b) fix polling places.
                      (4) If bonds or the indebtedness or obligations under a contract are payable solely from
                  revenues derived from the operation of all or any part of the district's works, no election is required
                  under this section prior to issuance of the bonds or the entering into of the contract, except as
                  provided in Subsection (5).
                      (5) No district may issue bonds or incur an indebtedness or obligation under a contract
                  payable solely from revenues unless:
                      (a) the issuance of the bonds or the incurring of the contract indebtedness or obligation has
                  been approved at an election called and held as provided in this section; or
                      (b) the board of [directors] trustees adopts a resolution declaring the intention of the district
                  to issue bonds or incur a contract indebtedness or liability payable solely from revenues in the amount
                  and for the purpose provided in the resolution and directs that notice of this intention be published
                  once in a newspaper of general circulation in the district.
                      (i) The notice of intention shall set forth:
                      (A) the amount and purpose of the proposed bond issue or contract; and
                      (B) when and where petitions may be filed requesting the calling of an election to determine
                  whether the bonds may be issued or the contract indebtedness or obligation may be incurred.
                      (ii) The resolution of the board shall specify the form of the petitions.
                      (iii) If, within 30 days after the publication of the notice of intention, a petition is filed with
                  the secretary of the board, signed by not less than 5% of the qualified electors of the district,
                  requesting that an election be called to authorize the issuance of the bonds or the incurring of the
                  contract indebtedness or liability payable solely from revenues, then the board shall proceed to call
                  and hold an election as provided in this section. The qualified electors of the district shall be certified
                  to the board, prior to the adoption of the resolution, by the clerks of the counties in which portions

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                  of the district are located.
                      (iv) If no petition is filed, or if the number of signatures filed within the 30-day period is less
                  than the required number, the board of [directors] trustees may adopt the resolution and proceed to
                  issue the bonds or enter into the contract.
                      Section 141. Section 17A-2-1442 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1442. Board may petition district court for judicial determination of its acts --
                  Procedure.
                      The board may, in its discretion, at any time file a petition in the court, praying a judicial
                  examination and determination of any power conferred hereby or by any amendment hereto or of any
                  tax or assessment levied or of any act, proceeding or contract of the district, whether or not [said]
                  the contract shall have been executed, including proposed contracts for the acquisition, construction,
                  maintenance or operation of works for the district. Such petition shall set forth the facts whereon the
                  validity of such power, assessment, act, proceeding or contract is founded and shall be verified by the
                  [president] chair of the board. Notice of the filing of [said] the petition shall be given by the clerk of
                  the court, under the seal thereof, stating in brief outline the contents of the petition and showing
                  where a full copy of any contract or contracts, therein mentioned, may be examined. [Said] The
                  notice shall be served by publication at least once a week for five consecutive weeks (five issues) in
                  a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the principal office of the district is located,
                  and by posting the same in the office of the district at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in [said]
                  the notice for the hearing on [said] the petition. Any owner of property in the district or person
                  interested in the contract or proposed contract may appear and demur to or answer [said] the petition
                  at any time prior to the date fixed for [said] the hearing or within such further time as may be allowed
                  by the court; and the petition shall be taken as confessed by all persons who fail so to appear. The
                  [said] petition and notice shall be sufficient to give the court jurisdiction and, upon hearing, the court
                  shall examine into and determine all matters and things affecting the question submitted, shall make
                  such findings with reference thereto and render such judgment and decree thereon as the case
                  warrants. Costs may be divided or apportioned among the contesting parties in the discretion of the
                  trial court. Review of the judgment of the court may be had as in other similar cases, except that such

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                  review must be applied for within 30 days after the time of the rendition of such judgment, or within
                  such additional time as may be allowed by the court within 30 days. The [Code] Rules of Civil
                  Procedure shall govern in matters of pleading and practice where not otherwise specified herein. The
                  court shall disregard any error, irregularity or omission which does not affect the substantial rights
                  of the parties.
                      Section 142. Section 17A-2-1448 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1448. Validation of proceedings -- Changes.
                      [That wherever] If proceedings have been [heretofore] adopted under authority of [the Water
                  Conservancy Act] this part purporting to create any conservancy district thereunder, all proceedings
                  had in connection with the creation of each such district are hereby validated, ratified and confirmed
                  notwithstanding any failure to comply with any one or more pertinent statutory provisions and each
                  such district is declared to be a validly created and existing district under authority of [said] the law.
                  It is expressly found and determined that all taxable property lying in each such district will be
                  [benefited] benefitted by the construction of the improvements to be constructed by such district to
                  an amount not less than the aggregate of the taxes and assessments to be levied against such property
                  to pay for the cost of such improvements. All proceedings had in connection with the appointment
                  election and organization of board of [directors] trustees for each such district are ratified and
                  approved and each such board of [directors] trustees is declared to be de facto and de jure governing
                  body of each such district. [Where] If in any such district an election has been [heretofore] held on
                  the approval of a contract with the United States of America or on the issuance of the bonds of the
                  district or both, all proceedings had in connection with the calling and holding of each such election
                  are validated, ratified and confirmed despite any irregularity which may have occurred therein and any
                  contract so approved by any such election and any bonds so authorized at any such election are
                  validated and confirmed and the board of [directors] trustees and officers of each such district are
                  authorized and empowered to proceed to do all things necessary to the execution of such contract
                  or to the issuance of such bonds as the case may be and each such contract when duly executed and
                  all such bonds when delivered and paid for are declared to be valid and binding obligations of such
                  district in accordance with the terms thereof and to be fully negotiable for all purposes. All

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                  construction contracts heretofore entered into by any such district for the construction or acquisition
                  of works or facilities for such district are validated, ratified, and confirmed and declared to be valid
                  obligations of such district in accordance with the terms thereof. The board of directors of any such
                  district may make such changes in any contract or in any bond proceedings or bonds hereby validated
                  as may in its opinion be desirable for the best interests of such district without in any wise impairing
                  or making ineffective any of the curative effect of this section. Any such change or changes may be
                  so made despite the fact that such change or changes may be inconsistent with the proceedings at
                  which any such contract, if voted at an election, or any such bonds, where voted, and no new election
                  to approve or authorize such change or changes shall be necessary.
                      Section 143. Section 17A-2-1449 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1449. Validation of proceedings and actions -- Changes in validated contracts,
                  bond proceedings or bonds authorized.
                      All proceedings that have been adopted and actions taken before May 13, 1969, under
                  authority of [the Water Conservancy Act] this part, purporting to create any water conservancy
                  district thereunder or purporting to provide for the inclusion of any additional area or areas in any
                  such district, including all petitions filed and all notices given, published and mailed in connection with
                  any such creation and any such inclusion, are hereby validated, ratified and confirmed,
                  notwithstanding any failure to comply with any one or more pertinent statutory provisions and each
                  such district as so created or enlarged is declared to be a validly created and existing district. It is
                  expressly determined that all taxable property lying in each such district shall be [benefited] benefitted
                  by any improvements constructed before or after this part takes effect to an amount not less than the
                  aggregate of the taxes and assessments levied against such property to pay for the cost of such
                  improvements. All proceedings and actions taken with respect to the appointment, election and
                  organization of a board of [directors] trustees and officers thereof for each such district are validated,
                  ratified and confirmed and each such board of [directors] trustees is declared to be the de facto and
                  de jure governing body of each such district. [Where] If in any such district an election has been held,
                  before May 13, 1969, on the question of approving a contract with the United States of America or
                  on the question of the issuance of the bonds of the district, or both, all proceedings and actions

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                  concerned with the calling, holding and conduct of any such elections are validated, ratified and
                  confirmed despite any irregularities which may have occurred in connection therewith. Any contract
                  so approved at such an election and any bonds so authorized at such an election are validated, ratified
                  and confirmed. The board of [directors] trustees and officers of each such district may do all things
                  necessary to execute any such contract or issue such bonds, and each such contract when executed
                  and all such bonds when delivered and paid for shall be valid and binding obligations of such district
                  in accordance with the tenor and terms thereof. Any contracts made by such district for the
                  construction or acquisition of works or facilities for such district are validated, ratified and confirmed
                  and shall be valid obligations of such district in accordance with the terms thereof. Changes made
                  after May 13, 1969 by the board of directors of any such district in any contract, bond proceedings
                  or bonds hereby validated shall be considered not to nullify any curative effect of this section.
                      Section 144. Section 17A-2-1454 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1454. Terms of trustees representing excluded lands cease.
                      If land being excluded from a district constitutes all or substantially all of the land in a division
                  of the district:
                      (1) on the effective date of the exclusion the [directors] trustees representing the division
                  shall cease to be [directors] trustees of the board of the district; and
                      (2) the court shall issue an order amending the decree which created the district to show:
                      (a) a reduction in the number of [directors] trustees of the district; and
                      (b) the elimination of the [directors] trustees representing the division from the board.
                      Section 145. Section 17A-2-1808 is amended to read:
                       17A-2-1808. Board of trustees -- Selection procedure -- Other provisions applicable.
                      (1) Each regional service area organized under this part shall be governed by a board of
                  trustees [consisting of not less than three but not more than five members].
                      (2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, members of the board of trustees shall be
                  elected by following the procedures and requirements of Title 17A, Chapter 1, Part 3, Special District
                  Board Selection Procedures.
                      (3) Candidates for election to the board of trustees shall be taxpayers and qualified voters in

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                  the regional service area.
                      (4) Those persons serving on the board of trustees of the county service area when the
                  county service area is reorganized as a regional service area shall be the initial board of trustees of
                  the regional service area for the remainder of the term to which they were each elected or appointed
                  as trustees of the county service area.
                      [(5) (a) The board of trustees may by resolution, at any time after the regional service area
                  is organized, including in the organizing resolution, increase the number of trustees to the maximum
                  number allowed under Subsection (1). ]
                      [(b)] (5) If the number of trustees is increased, additional trustees shall be appointed by the
                  board of trustees following the procedures of Section 17A-1-302 .
                      [(c) The terms of the appointed additional trustees shall expire the first Monday in January
                  after the next municipal election which is at least six months after the date of appointment.]
                      (6) (a) The board of trustees may, at any time, divide the regional service area into districts
                  for the purpose of electing some or all of the trustees. Before dividing the regional service area, the
                  board of trustees shall:
                      (i) prepare a districting proposal that includes the boundaries of the proposed election
                  districts; and
                      (ii) hold a public hearing at which any interested person may appear and speak for or against
                  the districting proposal.
                      (b) If trustee election districts are established, each election district shall be as nearly equal
                  in population as practicable and shall be of a compact form.
                      (c) Except for land excluded from or annexed to the regional service area under this part, the
                  boundaries of established trustee election districts may not be changed more often than once every
                  five years and election district boundaries shall be reviewed at least every ten years.
                      (d) After election districts are established, every part of the regional service area shall be
                  included in a trustee election district.
                      (e) One or more trustee position may be an at large position to be voted upon by all
                  registered voters within the regional service area.

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                      [(7) (a) Trustee terms shall be apportioned so that as close to an equal number of trustee
                  positions as possible will be voted on at each special district election.]
                      [(b) Trustees elected after the organization of the regional service area and trustees elected
                  after having been appointed under Subsection (5) shall serve two-, four-, or six-year terms, beginning
                  on the first Monday in January after the election, as necessary to achieve the apportionment required
                  under Subsection (a).]
                      [(c) Initial elected terms shall be selected by lot as necessary to apportion the terms.]
                      [(d) After terms have been properly apportioned, except for appointments to fill unexpired
                  terms, the term of each member of the board of trustees is six years.]
                      [(8)] (7) Subject to districting for election purposes, all qualified voters in the regional service
                  area may vote in trustee elections.
                      [(9)] (8) Each member of the board of trustees may vote on all questions, orders, resolutions,
                  and ordinances coming before the board.
                      [(10) Each trustee shall receive compensation at a rate to be set by resolution of the board
                  of trustees after holding at least one public hearing at which all interested persons may appear and
                  speak in favor of or against the compensation proposal. After the public hearing, the board of
                  trustees may establish the rate of compensation in an amount which is not more than the maximum
                  amount proposed at the public hearing not to exceed $5,000 per year.]
                      [(11) Each trustee shall give a bond in the amount, and with the sureties, prescribed in the
                  bylaws of the regional service area.]
                      [(12) Each trustee shall take the oath of office and take office on the first Monday in January
                  following the election of the trustee.]
                      [(13) The trustees shall meet and elect one of their members as chair and shall appoint a clerk
                  and a treasurer, or a clerk-treasurer, and other officers approved by the board of trustees.]
                      [(14)] (9) All vacancies of elected trustees in office shall be filled as provided under Section
                  17A-1-302 .
                      (10) (a) The provisions of Title 17B, Chapter 2, Part 4, Board of Trustees, apply to each
                  regional service area to the same extent as if the regional service area were a local district under Title

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                  17B, Chapter 2, Local Districts.
                      (b) (i) If a change in the number of board of trustees members is necessary to comply with
                  the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-402 (1), the board of trustees may by majority vote,
                  notwithstanding Subsection 17B-2-402 (3), change the number of board members to the next odd
                  number higher or lower than the number of current board members.
                      (ii) If a change under Subsection (10)(b)(i) decreases the number of board members, the
                  change may not take effect until the expiration of the term of the member whose term next expires.
                      (iii) If a change in the number of board members necessitated by Subsection 17B-2-402 (1)
                  would cause the district to violate a provision of bonds issued by the district, the number of board
                  members may be modified to the extent necessary to avoid a violation.
                      (c) (i) If a change in the expiration date of the term of a board of trustees member is
                  necessary to comply with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-403 (1), the term of each board
                  member whose term expires on a day other than the first Monday in January shall be extended to the
                  first Monday in January after the normal expiration date next following the special district election
                  date under Section 17A-1-305 .
                      (ii) If a change in the length of the term of a board of trustees member is necessary to comply
                  with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-403 (2), the change may not take effect until the expiration
                  of the term of the member whose term length is to be changed.
                      Section 146. Section 17B-2-203 is amended to read:
                       17B-2-203. Process to initiate the creation of a local district -- Petition or resolution.
                      (1) The process to create a local district may be initiated by:
                      (a) subject to Section 17B-2-204 , a petition signed by the owners of private real property
                  that:
                      (i) is located within the proposed local district;
                      (ii) covers at least 33% of the total private land area within the proposed local district as a
                  whole and within each applicable area;
                      (iii) is equal in value to at least 25% of the value of all private real property within the
                  proposed local district as a whole and within each applicable area; and

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                      (iv) complies with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-205 (1) and Section 17B-2-208 ;
                      (b) subject to Section 17B-2-204 , a petition that:
                      (i) is signed by registered voters residing within the proposed local district as a whole and
                  within each applicable area, equal in number to at least 33% of the number of votes cast in the
                  proposed local district as a whole and in each applicable area, respectively, for the office of governor
                  at the last regular general election prior to the filing of the petition; and
                      (ii) complies with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-205 (1) and Section 17B-2-208 ; or
                      (c) a resolution proposing the creation of a local district, adopted by the legislative body of
                  each county whose unincorporated area includes and each municipality whose boundaries include any
                  of the proposed local district.
                      (2) (a) Each resolution under Subsection (1)(c) shall:
                      (i) describe the area proposed to be included in the proposed local district;
                      (ii) be accompanied by a map that shows the boundaries of the proposed local district;
                      (iii) describe the service proposed to be provided by the proposed local district;
                      (iv) explain the anticipated method of paying the costs of providing the proposed service;
                  [and]
                      (v) state the estimated average financial impact on a household within the proposed local
                  district[.]; and
                      (vi) state the number of members that the board of trustees of the proposed local district will
                  have, consistent with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-402 (1).
                      (b) Each county or municipal legislative body adopting a resolution under Subsection (1)(c)
                  shall, on or before the first public hearing under Section 17B-2-210 , mail or deliver a copy of the
                  resolution to the responsible body if the county or municipal legislative body's resolution is one of
                  multiple resolutions adopted by multiple county or municipal legislative bodies proposing the creation
                  of the same local district.
                      Section 147. Section 17B-2-208 is amended to read:
                       17B-2-208. Additional petition requirements and limitations.
                      (1) Each petition shall:

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                      (a) be filed with the responsible clerk; [and]
                      (b) separately group signatures by county and municipality, so that all signatures of the
                  owners of real property located within or of registered voters residing within each county whose
                  unincorporated area includes and each municipality whose boundaries include part of the proposed
                  local district are grouped separately[.]; and
                      (c) state the number of members that the board of trustees of the proposed local district will
                  have, consistent with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-402 (1).
                      (2) (a) A petition may not propose the creation of a local district that includes an area located
                  within the unincorporated part of a county or within a municipality if the legislative body of that
                  county or municipality has adopted a resolution under Subsection 17B-2-212 (1) indicating that the
                  county or municipality will provide to that area the service proposed to be provided by the proposed
                  local district.
                      (b) Subsection (2)(a) does not apply if the county or municipal legislative body is considered
                  to have declined to provide the requested service under Subsection 17B-2-212 (3).
                      (c) Subsection (2)(a) may not be construed to prevent the filing of a petition that proposes
                  the creation of a local district whose area excludes that part of the unincorporated area of a county
                  or that part of a municipality to which the county or municipality has indicated, in a resolution
                  adopted under Section 17B-2-212 , it will provide the requested service.
                      (3) A petition may not propose the creation of a local district whose area includes:
                      (a) some or all of an area described in a previously filed petition that, subject to Subsection
                  17B-2-202 (4)(b):
                      (i) proposes the creation of a local district to provide the same service as proposed by the
                  later filed petition; and
                      (ii) is still pending at the time the later petition is filed; or
                      (b) some or all of an area within a political subdivision that provides in that area the same
                  service proposed to be provided by the proposed local district.
                      (4) A petition may not be filed more than 12 months after a county or municipal legislative
                  body declines to provide the requested service under Subsection 17B-2-212 (1) or is considered to

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                  have declined to provide the requested service under Subsection 17B-2-212 (2) or (3).
                      Section 148. Section 17B-2-401 is enacted to read:
                 
Part 3. Reserved

                 
Part 4. Board of Trustees

                      17B-2-401. Board of trustees duties and powers.
                      (1) (a) Each local district shall be governed by a board of trustees which shall manage and
                  conduct the business and affairs of the district and shall determine all questions of district policy.
                      (b) All powers of a local district are exercised through the board of trustees.
                      (2) The board of trustees may:
                      (a) fix the location of the local district's principal place of business and the location of all
                  offices and departments, if any;
                      (b) select and use an official district seal;
                      (c) employ employees and agents, or delegate to district officers power to employ employees
                  and agents, for the operation of the local district and its properties and prescribe or delegate to
                  district officers the power to prescribe the duties, compensation, and terms and conditions of
                  employment of those employees and agents;
                      (d) require district officers and employees charged with the handling of district funds to
                  provide surety bonds in an amount set by the board or provide a blanket surety bond to cover all
                  those officers and employees;
                      (e) contract for or employ professionals to perform work or services for the local district that
                  cannot satisfactorily be performed by the officers or employees of the district;
                      (f) through counsel, prosecute on behalf of or defend the local district in all court actions or
                  other proceedings in which the district is a party or is otherwise involved;
                      (g) adopt bylaws for the orderly functioning of the board;
                      (h) adopt rules and regulations for the orderly operation of the local district and for carrying
                  out the purposes for which the district was created;
                      (i) prescribe a system of civil service for district employees;
                      (j) on behalf of the local district, enter into contracts that the board considers to be for the

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                  benefit of the district;
                      (k) acquire, construct or cause to be constructed, operate, occupy, control, and use buildings,
                  works, or other facilities for carrying out the purposes of the local district;
                      (l) on behalf of the local district, acquire, use, hold, manage, occupy, and possess property
                  necessary to carry out the purposes of the district, dispose of property when the board considers it
                  appropriate, and institute and maintain in the name of the district any action or proceeding to enforce,
                  maintain, protect, or preserve rights or privileges associated with district property; and
                      (m) exercise all powers and perform all functions in the operation of the local district and its
                  properties as are ordinarily exercised by the governing body of a political subdivision of the state and
                  as are necessary to accomplish the purposes of the district.
                      Section 149. Section 17B-2-402 is enacted to read:
                      17B-2-402. Number of board of trustees members.
                      (1) The number of members of each board of trustees shall be an odd number that is no less
                  than three and no more than nine.
                      (2) For a newly created local district, the number of members of the initial board of trustees
                  shall be the number specified:
                      (a) for a local district whose creation was initiated by a petition under Subsection
                  17B-2-203 (1)(a) or (b), in the petition; or
                      (b) for a local district whose creation was initiated by a resolution under Subsection
                  17B-2-203 (1)(c), in the resolution.
                      (3) (a) For an existing local district, the number of members of the board of trustees may be
                  changed by a two-thirds vote of the board of trustees.
                      (b) No change in the number of members of a board of trustees under Subsection (3)(a) may:
                      (i) violate Subsection (1); or
                      (ii) serve to shorten the term of any member of the board.
                      Section 150. Section 17B-2-403 is enacted to read:
                      17B-2-403. Term of board of trustees members -- Oath of office -- Bond.
                      (1) The term of each member of a board of trustees shall begin at noon on the first Monday

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                  of January following the member's election or appointment.
                      (2) (a) The term of each member of a board of trustees shall be four years, except that
                  approximately half the members of the initial board of trustees, chosen by lot, shall serve a two-year
                  term so that the term of approximately half the board members expires every two years.
                      (b) Each board of trustees member shall serve until a successor is duly elected or appointed
                  and qualified, unless the member earlier is removed from office or resigns or otherwise leaves office.
                      (3) (a) Before entering upon the duties of office, each member of a board of trustees shall
                  take the oath of office specified in Utah Constitution Article IV, Section 10.
                      (b) The failure of a board of trustees member to take the oath required by Subsection (3)(a)
                  does not invalidate any official act of that member.
                      (4) A board of trustees member is not limited in the number of terms the member may serve.
                      (5) Except as provided in Subsection (6), each midterm vacancy in a board of trustees
                  position shall be filled as provided in Section 20A-1-512 .
                      (6) (a) For purposes of this Subsection (6):
                      (i) "Appointed official" means a person who:
                      (A) is appointed as a member of a local district board of trustees by a county or municipality
                  entitled to appoint a member to the board; and
                      (B) holds an elected position with the appointing county or municipality.
                      (ii) "Appointing authority" means the county or municipality that appointed the appointed
                  official to the board of trustees.
                      (b) The board of trustees shall declare a midterm vacancy for the board position held by an
                  appointed official if:
                      (i) during the appointed official's term on the board of trustees, the appointed official ceases
                  to hold the elected position with the appointing authority; and
                      (ii) the appointing authority submits a written request to the board to declare the vacancy.
                      (c) Upon the board's declaring a midterm vacancy under Subsection (6)(b), the appointing
                  authority shall appoint another person to fill the remaining unexpired term on the board of trustees.
                      (7) (a) Each member of a board of trustees shall give a bond for the faithful performance of

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                  the member's duties, in the amount and with the sureties prescribed by the board of trustees.
                      (b) The local district shall pay the cost of each bond required under Subsection (7)(a).
                      Section 151. Section 17B-2-404 is enacted to read:
                      17B-2-404. Annual compensation -- Per diem compensation -- Participation in group
                  insurance plan -- Reimbursement of expenses.
                      (1) (a) A member of a board of trustees may receive compensation for service on the board,
                  as determined by the board of trustees.
                      (b) The amount of compensation under this Subsection (1) may not exceed $3,500 per year.
                      (c) (i) As determined by the board of trustees, a member of the board of trustees may
                  participate in a group insurance plan provided to employees of the local district on the same basis as
                  employees of the local district.
                      (ii) The amount that the local district pays to provide a member with coverage under a group
                  insurance plan shall be included as part of the member's compensation for purposes of Subsection
                  (1)(b).
                      (2) (a) As determined by the board of trustees, a member of a board of trustees may receive
                  per diem compensation, in addition to the compensation provided in Subsection (1), for attendance
                  at up to 12 meetings or activities per year related to any district business.
                      (b) The amount of per diem compensation under Subsection (2)(a) shall be as established by
                  the Division of Finance for policy boards, advisory boards, councils, or committees within state
                  government.
                      (3) In addition to any compensation a member receives under this section, each member of
                  a board of trustees shall be reimbursed by the local district for all actual and necessary expenses
                  incurred in attending board meetings and in performing the member's official duties.
                      Section 152. Section 17B-2-405 is enacted to read:
                      17B-2-405. Board officers -- Term.
                      (1) (a) The board of trustees shall elect from their number a chair and may elect other officers
                  as the board considers appropriate.
                      (b) The offices of treasurer and clerk may not be held by the same person.

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                      (2) Each officer serves at the pleasure of the board of trustees, but the board may designate
                  a set term for officers.
                      Section 153. Section 17B-2-406 is enacted to read:
                      17B-2-406. Quorum of board of trustees -- Meetings of the board.
                      (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), a majority of the board of trustees constitutes
                  a quorum for the transaction of board business, and action by a majority of a quorum constitutes
                  action of the board.
                      (b) (i) Subject to Subsection (1)(b)(ii), a board may adopt bylaws or other rules that require
                  more than a majority to constitute a quorum or that require action by more than a majority of a
                  quorum to constitute action by the board.
                      (ii) Except for board action to dispose of real property owned by the local district, board
                  bylaws or rules may not require a vote of more than two-thirds vote of the board to constitute board
                  action.
                      (2) The board of trustees shall hold such regular and special meetings as the board determines
                  at a location that the board determines.
                      (3) Each meeting of the board of trustees shall comply with Title 52, Chapter 4, Open and
                  Public Meetings.
                      Section 154. Repealer.
                      This act repeals:
                      Section 17A-2-209, Terms of office.
                      Section 17A-2-215, Board of cemetery maintenance commissioners -- Organization --
                  Vacancies -- Officers -- Certified copies of appointments -- Regular and special meetings --
                  Bills payable-- Oath of office and bond.
                      Section 17A-2-218, Powers of commissioners.
                      Section 17A-2-220, Compensation and expenses of commissioners -- Compensation of
                  agents and employees.
                      Section 17A-2-508, Bonds of supervisors.
                      Section 17A-2-510, Duties of president.

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                      Section 17A-2-513, Meetings of the board -- Records.
                      Section 17A-2-1410, Directors to take oath -- Chairman, president, and secretary --
                  Compensation.
                      Section 17A-2-1411, Quorum.

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