Chapter 2. Hearings of California Water Code >> Division 18. >> Part 6. >> Chapter 2.

On or before the second Tuesday in March of each year, and provided the survey and report called for by Section 60300 has been made, the board, by resolution, shall declare whether funds shall be raised to purchase water for replenishment during the next ensuing fiscal year and whether the funds shall be raised either by (a) a water charge, as provided in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 60245) of Part 5, (b) a general assessment, as provided in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 60250) of Part 5, (c) a replenishment assessment as provided in this chapter, or (d) a combination of any two or more of the foregoing, and whether the funds so to be raised, whether by a water charge, a general assessment, a replenishment assessment or a combination of those means, will benefit, directly or indirectly, all of the persons or real property and improvements within the district. The resolution shall also declare whether funds shall be raised to remove contaminants from groundwater supplies during the next ensuing fiscal year or to exercise any other power under Section 60224, and whether funds for that purpose shall be raised by a replenishment assessment as provided in this chapter, with a like statement of benefit.

If the board, by resolution, determines that all or a portion of the funds needed to purchase replenishment water, or to remove contaminants from the groundwater supplies of the district, or to exercise any other power under Section 60224, shall be raised by the levy of a replenishment assessment, then the board shall immediately publish a notice that a public hearing will be held on the second Tuesday of April for the purpose of determining whether and to what extent the estimated costs thereof for the ensuing year shall be paid for by a replenishment assessment. The notice shall contain a copy of the board's resolution, the time and place of the hearing, and an invitation to all interested parties to attend and be heard in support of or opposition to the proposed assessment, the engineering survey and report, and the board's determination, and shall invite inspection of the engineering survey and report upon which the board acted. The notice shall be published in each affected county pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code, at least 10 days before the hearing date.

Said hearing shall be held before the board and a quorum shall be present. The hearing may be adjourned from time to time by the president or presiding officer or hearing officer but shall be completed by the first Tuesday in May next following.

The board may appoint a qualified registered engineer familiar with water problems as a hearing officer to conduct said hearing.

All evidence relevant to the engineering survey and report and the board's determination that such a replenishment assessment shall be levied may be introduced.