Chapter 1. Powers Generally of California Water Code >> Division 20. >> Part 5. >> Chapter 1.

A district may exercise the powers which are expressly granted by this division or are necessarily implied.

A district may:
  (a) Have perpetual succession.
  (b) Adopt a seal and alter it at pleasure.

A district may make contracts, employ labor, and do all acts necessary for the full exercise of its powers.

A district may provide by ordinance for the pensioning of officers or employees, for the terms and conditions under which such pensions shall be awarded, and for the time and extent of service of officers or employees before such pensions shall be available to them.

A district may, in the ordinance providing for the pensioning of officers and employees, create a special fund for the purpose of paying such pensions and provide for the accumulation of contributions to this fund from revenues of the district, wages of officers or employees, voluntary contributions, gifts, donations, or any source of revenue not inconsistent with the general powers of the board.

A district may contract with any insurance corporation, the State Employees' Retirement System, or any other insurance carrier for the maintenance of a service covering the pension of the district officers or employees and for their health and accident insurance coverage.

A district may disseminate information concerning the rights, properties, and activities of the district. Such power shall not be construed as an exception to the California Public Records Act.

A district may by resolution of a four-fifths majority of its directors obtain membership in associations having for their purpose the furtherance of subjects relating to the powers and duties of the district and for the interchange of information relating to such powers and duties. Funds necessary for such purposes may be appropriated. The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the provisions of this section are declaratory of existing law except insofar as they specify that a resolution of a four-fifths majority of the directors is necessary.

A district may, by resolution of the board of directors spread on its minutes, change the name of the district. Certified copies of the resolution changing the name of the district shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder of every affected county and sent to the county clerk of every affected county.

If, on or after the effective date of this section, substantially all of a district water system is acquired by another public agency by any method other than a vote of the electorate of that district so authorizing, the following provisions shall apply:
  (a) All funds derived from the operation of the former district system shall be separately accounted for and used exclusively for the purposes of maintenance, operation, betterments, and bond debt service of the acquired system.
  (b) No funds derived from the former district system shall be used for any other such purpose until all debt of that former system has been paid in full or until a majority vote of the electorate of the area served by that former system has authorized such other expenditures.

Every person convicted of an infraction for a violation of any local ordinance or regulation adopted pursuant to this division shall be punished upon a first conviction by a fine not exceeding fifty dollars ($50) and for a second conviction within a period of one year by a fine of not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) and for a third or any subsequent conviction within a period of one year by a fine of not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

(a) In order to enforce the provisions of any ordinance of the district, including an ordinance fixing charges for the furnishing of commodities or services, the district may correct any violation of an ordinance of the district. The district may also petition the superior court for the issuance of a preliminary or permanent injunction, or both, as may be appropriate, restraining any person from the continued violation of any ordinance of the district or for the issuance of an order stopping or disconnecting a service if the charges for that service are unpaid at the time specified in the ordinance.
  (b) The district may enter upon the private property of any person within the jurisdiction of the district in order to investigate possible violations of an ordinance of the district. The investigation shall be made with the consent of the owner or tenant of the property or, if consent is refused, with a warrant duly issued pursuant to the procedures set forth in Title 13 (commencing with Section 1822.50) of Part 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure, except that, notwithstanding Section 1822.52 of the Code of Civil Procedure, the warrant shall be issued only upon probable cause.
  (c) The district shall notify the county or city building inspector, county health inspector, or other affected county or city employee or office, in writing, within a reasonable time if an actual violation of a district, city, or county ordinance is discovered during the investigation.