The Florida Senate

153.09  Water revenue bonds and sewer revenue bonds.--

(1)  Water revenue bonds may be used only in connection with the acquisition, construction or operation of water supply systems or water system improvements, and sewer revenue bonds may be used only in connection with the acquisition, construction and operation of sewage disposal systems and sewer improvements. Water revenue bonds and/or sewer revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter shall not be deemed to constitute a pledge of the faith and credit of the county but such bonds shall be payable solely from the funds provided therefor under the provisions of this chapter. All such bonds shall contain a statement on their face substantially to the effect that the county is not obligated to pay such bonds or the interest thereon except from such funds and that the faith and the credit of the county is not pledged to the payment of the principal of or the interest on such bonds. The issuance of water revenue bonds and/or sewer revenue bonds under the provisions of this chapter shall not directly or indirectly or contingently obligate the county to levy any taxes whatever therefor or to make any appropriation for their payment except from the funds pledged under the provisions of this chapter.

(2)(a)  The resolution authorizing the issuance of water revenue bonds under the provisions of this chapter shall pledge the revenues to be received but shall not convey or mortgage any water supply system or water system improvements, or any part thereof.

(b)  The resolution authorizing the issuance of sewer revenue bonds under the provisions of this chapter shall pledge the revenue to be received but it shall not convey or mortgage any sewage disposal system or sewer improvements or any part thereof.

(c)  Either water revenue bonds or sewer revenue bonds may contain such provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bondholders as may be reasonable and proper and not in violation of law, including covenants setting forth the duties of the county commission in relation to the purchase, construction, reconstruction, improvement, maintenance, operation, repair and insurance of the water supply system or systems and the water system improvements and the sewage disposal system or systems and the sewer improvements and provisions for the custody, and safeguarding and application of all moneys, and for the employment of consulting engineers in connection with such purchase, construction, reconstruction or operation. Such resolution may set forth the rights and remedies of the bondholders and may restrict the individual right of action by bondholders as is customary in trust agreements or trust indentures securing bonds or debentures of corporations.

(d)  In addition to the foregoing, such resolution may contain such other provisions as the county commission may deem reasonable and proper for the security of bondholders. Except as in this chapter otherwise provided, the county commission may provide for the payment of the proceeds of the sale of the bonds and revenues of the water supply system or systems and of any water system improvements or of the sewage disposal system or systems and of any sewer improvements to such officer, board or depository as it may designate for the custody thereof, and for the method of disbursement thereof, with such safeguards and restrictions as it may determine.

(3)  The resolution providing for the issuance of water revenue bonds and/or sewer revenue bonds may also contain such limitations upon the issuance of additional water revenue bonds and/or sewer revenue bonds as the county commission may deem proper, and such additional bonds shall be issued under such restrictions and limitations as may be prescribed by such resolution.

(4)  No water revenue bonds or sewer revenue bonds shall be issued under the authority of this chapter unless the county commission shall have theretofore found and determined the estimated cost of the facilities or systems on account of which such bonds are to be issued, the estimated annual revenues of such facilities or systems, and the estimated annual cost of maintaining, repairing and operating such facilities or systems, nor unless it shall appear from such estimate that the annual revenues will be sufficient to pay such cost of maintenance, repair and operation and the interest on such bonds and the principal thereof as such interest and principal shall become due.

(5)  If the approval of the issuance of water revenue bonds or sewer revenue bonds at an election of the freeholders who are qualified electors residing in the county shall be required by the constitution of the state, such election shall be called, noticed and conducted and the result thereof determined and declared as shall have been or may be required by law for the issuance of bonds of the county.

History.--s. 9, ch. 29837, 1955.