FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 5767

                           C 89 L 95

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Authorizing consolidation of municipal irrigation assessment districts.

Sponsors:  Senators Deccio and McCaslin.

Senate Committee on Government Operations

House Committee on Government Operations

Background:  Cities and towns may acquire and operate irrigation and water delivery systems, and may levy and collect special assessments against the property served by such systems to pay for maintenance or other costs related to acquisition of the system or of water rights.  In some cities, a large number of irrigation systems have been acquired over the years, and their consolidation would make operations more efficient and would enable a more even distribution of annual assessments.

Summary:  A city or town may consolidate separate irrigation assessment districts for the purposes of construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance.  The consolidated districts need not be in the same neighborhood, and any money previously received from assessments in the component districts may be deposited in a consolidated fund for future expenses within the consolidated district.  A city or town may accumulate reasonable operating fund reserves to pay for system upkeep, repair, operation and maintenance, but the reserve may not exceed the cost of system construction, reconstruction, or refurbishment.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate    45 0

House     97 0

Effective:  July 23, 1995