Chapter 1. Annual Estimate of California Water Code >> Division 21. >> Part 8. >> Chapter 1.

As used in this part:
  (a) "Ensuing fiscal year" means the fiscal year in which the board is required to furnish the annual estimate, as provided in this chapter.
  (b) "Following fiscal year" means the fiscal year which next follows the ensuing fiscal year.

The board shall, on or before the 10th day of July of each fiscal year, furnish the board of supervisors and the auditor of each affected county, an estimate in writing of the amount of money needed for the purposes of the district for the ensuing fiscal year, for any reserve funds necessary for the first six months of the following fiscal year, and to provide for the prompt payment, when due, of principal and interest on bonds.

The amount in the annual estimate shall be sufficient to raise a sum of money which shall be sufficient to pay all of the following:
  (a) The incidental expenses of the district.
  (b) The costs of the work of spreading and sinking waters which the board deems advisable to be done during the ensuing fiscal year.
  (c) The estimated costs of repairs to and maintenance of any property or works of the district.
  (d) The amount of any indebtedness (other than bonded debt) of the district currently due or to become due in the ensuing fiscal year.
  (e) The amount deemed necessary by the board for reserve funds to meet the costs and expenses of the district during the first six months of the following fiscal year.
  (f) The estimated amount necessary for the payment of the costs of any action or proceeding which may be taken by the district, including the cost of employment of attorneys and engineers.

If bonds have been voted and sold by the district, the board shall include in the annual estimate an amount which, together with any moneys available therefor in the bond fund, shall be at least sufficient to pay all bond principal and interest coming due during the ensuing fiscal year and also during that part of the following fiscal year before the proceeds of an assessment tax levied at the time for making the general tax levy in such following fiscal year can be made available for the payment thereof, and such estimate each year shall include an amount clearly sufficient to provide for the payment of principal of and interest on bonds of the district as the same become due.

If bonds have been voted but not sold, and the board expects to sell such bonds prior to the end of the ensuing fiscal year, there shall be included in the annual estimate an amount estimated to be sufficient to provide for the payment of all principal and interest of such unsold bonds which the board believes will come due during the ensuing fiscal year and also during that part of the following fiscal year before the proceeds of an assessment tax levied at the time for making the general tax levy in such following fiscal year can be made available for the payment thereof.

If the district has voted a special assessment as provided in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 75390) of this part, the board shall include in the annual estimate the amount of the installment of the special assessment to be levied each year.

The annual estimate may also include such an amount as the board deems advisable to expend in the acquisition or construction of settling basins, wells, dams, reservoirs, and other works for the storing, spreading, and sinking of waters, together with canals, ditches, conduits, and necessary rights-of-way for use of all such works.

Except as provided in Section 75358, the assessment levied during any year pursuant to this chapter shall not exceed two and one-half mills ($0.0025) on each one hundred cents ($1) of the assessed value of the lands within the district, according to the last assessment rolls; provided, that the assessment levied during any year pursuant to this chapter shall not exceed five mills ($0.005) on each one hundred cents ($1) of the assessed value of the lands within the district, according to the last assessment rolls, in any district in which such limitation is approved by the voters of the district at an election held within the district at which a majority of the voters voting on the proposition approve such limitation. Such election may be called by the board and consolidated with any other election held within the district, and the manner of holding and conducting the election shall be in accordance with the general laws of the state relative to elections at which propositions are submitted and voted upon. This limitation shall not apply to a special assessment levied pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 75390) of this part or assessments for the payment of the principal and interest on bonds.

If the proceeds of bonds voted for the acquisition of properties for, or the construction of, any works or projects of the district are insufficient to pay the cost of such properties, works, or projects, then, in addition to the assessments mentioned in Section 75357, an assessment may be levied not to exceed one mill ($0.001) on each one hundred cents ($1) of the assessed value of lands within the district for not to exceed five fiscal years, for the payment of the remaining cost of such properties, works, or projects; provided, however, that no district shall levy more than one such special one mill ($0.001) assessment at any one time.

When a district is in more than one county, the total annual estimate shall be divided by the board in proportion to the value of the land of the district in each county. This value shall be determined from the equalized values of the last assessment rolls of such counties, as revised by the boards of supervisors. When such division of the estimate has been made, the board shall furnish the board of supervisors and auditor of each affected county a written statement of the part of the estimate apportioned to that county.