§3087.197. Powers of the board

A. In order to accomplish the purposes for which the district is created, the board of commissioners may:

(1) Purchase, hold, sell, and convey immovable and movable property and execute such contracts as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to properly carry out the purposes for which it is created.

(2) Acquire servitudes and rights-of-use by purchase, lease, or assignment for a single reservoir or recreational areas or otherwise.

(3) Cooperate with the state Department of Transportation and Development and other state agencies in the maintenance or improvement and the construction of any works or improvements for the control, retention, diversion, or utilization of water or to retard runoff of water and soil erosion; in the construction of any ditch, channel improvement, dike, dam, or levee; and in the repair, improvement, and maintenance of any such improvements or structures.

(4) Acquire movable property by donation or purchase; employ and hire any such personnel as may be necessary in the operation of the business of the district and fix their compensation; and employ engineers, attorneys, and other professional personnel as becomes necessary and fix their compensation.

(5) Issue bonds and incur indebtedness within the limitations prescribed by the Constitution of Louisiana and in the manner prescribed thereby.

(6) Cooperate and contract with persons, firms, associations, partnerships, private corporations, municipalities of this state, or other public corporations, and with any other local, state, or federal agencies for the sale or use of any waters impounded by the district.

(7) Select a domicile and home office for the district.

(8) Grant franchises to telephone, telegraph, and electric power companies and grant franchises for the purposes of laying gas, water, sewer, electrical utilities, or other utilities to supply the inhabitants or any person or corporation with gas, water, sewerage, or electrical utilities when such construction is within the single reservoir created by the district.

(9) Acquire property for development of recreational facilities or lands for other development pursuant to terms and conditions established by the commission.

(10) Do and perform any and all things necessary or incident to the fulfillment of the purposes for which the district is created.

B. The Washington Parish Reservoir District shall have, with respect to the improvements and maintenance of the district, the advice of the Department of Transportation and Development, and the department shall assist the district to make such surveys, inspections, and investigations, render such reports, estimates, and recommendations, and furnish such plans and specifications as the board of commissioners of the district may request from time to time.

C. The district may issue certificates of indebtedness maturing within one year from date of issuance to evidence money borrowed in anticipation of current revenues for the administration, operation, construction, and maintenance costs and expenses of the district, which certificates shall be payable in principal and interest from any available income, revenues, fees, or taxes pledged to their payment by the district.

D. The board of commissioners shall have no authority to expropriate by eminent domain any immovable property in furtherance of this Part.

Acts 2003, No. 71, §2, eff. May 28, 2003; Acts 2005, No. 307, §1, eff. June 29, 2005; Acts 2016, No. 513, §1.