Any district shall have the following powers, in addition to those stated elsewhere in this chapter:
(1) To have perpetual existence, subject to termination as herein provided.
(2) To have and use a corporate seal, but the use of a corporate seal on any document shall not be required for the validity of a document or the due execution and delivery thereof.
(3) To sue and to be sued and to be a party to suits, actions, and proceedings, but subject to the limitations on liability and the immunity granted in this chapter.
(4) To enter into contracts and agreements affecting the affairs of the district, including contracts with the United States of America and any other public person.
(5) To borrow money and to incur indebtedness and to evidence the same by bonds, all without an election.
(6) To acquire and dispose of land, real property, personal property, and interests therein of any nature.
(7) To acquire, construct, install, and operate improvements and all property, rights, or interests incidental or pertinent thereto, and to dispose of real and personal property and any interest therein, including leases and easements and options to purchase in connection therewith; provided, however, that nothing in this chapter shall authorize a district to construct, own, or operate a system for the generation, transmission, or distribution of electric power, cable television, or Internet system, or telecommunications utility or to be in the business of providing electric energy, cable television, Internet, or telecommunications services.
(8) To refund any bonds of the district without an election.
(9) To have the management, control, and supervision of all the business and affairs of the district, and of the acquisition, construction, installation, and operation of improvements therein.
(10) To enter into contracts with one or more owners of property within the district relating to the acquisition, construction, or installation of improvements. Without limitation, contracts may require owners to connect their properties with gas, water, or sewer mains or other utilities in the streets in front of, at the rear of, or otherwise adjacent or near to their properties prior to the paving or final paving of roads on which their properties front. In addition, to the extent not subject to a bid law, contracts may specify the improvements to be made in general or particular terms, the choice of construction companies or other contractors, consultants, or professionals, choice of underwriter, trustee, fiscal agent, attorneys, engineers, and all other matters relating to the acquisition, construction, and installation of the improvements, the levying of assessments, or the issuance of bonds.
(11) To contract with any public person for the purpose of providing any materials or any work with respect to the acquisition, installation, or construction of improvements, and any contracting with any public person shall be exempt from any laws relating to the advertising and award of construction contracts and purchase contracts, including, without limitation, Article 3 of Chapter 16 of Title 41.
(12) To purchase liability and other forms of insurance.
(13) To hire and compensate employees and contractors, to provide retirement and other forms of deferred compensation, to provide fringe benefits, and to otherwise contract with employees and contractors.
(14) Except to the extent limited in the district's articles of incorporation, to have and exercise the power of eminent domain in the manner provided by law to obtain private property for the purposes of the district including, without limitation, proceedings under Chapter 1A of Title 18, as a condemner. However, a district may not exercise the power of eminent domain without the consent of the council of the appointing government.
(15) To adopt and amend bylaws not in conflict with the articles of incorporation and the laws of this state.
(16) To enter into contracts and agreements with any landowner, owner, or any other person concerning the installation, construction, or acquisition of improvements, assessment of the costs thereof, the waiver or limitation of legal rights, or any other matter concerning the district or the improvements.
(17) To have and exercise all rights and powers necessary or incidental to or implied from the specific powers granted in this chapter. A specific power shall not be considered as a limitation upon any power necessary, useful, or appropriate to carry out the purposes and intent of this chapter.
(18) To allow utilities or similar entities to use any rights-of-way on which the district is developing any improvements or has developed any improvements.
(19) To take official action with respect to the reimbursement of costs with bond proceeds.
(20) To enter into contracts, agreements, options, leases, deeds, and other instruments, and to take other actions as may be necessary or convenient to accomplish any purpose for which a district is organized or to exercise any power expressly granted hereunder.
(21) To dedicate or grant streets, sidewalks, parks, any other improvements, easements, rights-of-way, and other interests in property to the public, to a public person, or to a utility provided that nothing herein shall require a public person to accept the dedication without an affirmative act of acceptance by the public person.
Last modified: May 3, 2021