In order to obtain funds for the preparation of plans, specifications, estimates of cost, tentative assessments, and a plan of financing for any water resource project or part thereof, the board of trustees of a regional water and sewer district may levy upon the property in such district to be benefited by such project assessments apportioned in accordance with one or more of the methods set forth in section 6119.42 of the Revised Code. The aggregate of such assessments shall not exceed the amount determined by the board of trustees to be necessary for such purpose, including costs of financing, legal services, and other incidental costs, and shall be payable in such number of annual installments, not less than one, as the board of trustees prescribes, together with interest on any water resource revenue notes and bonds which may be issued in anticipation of the collection of such assessments.

If the board of trustees proposes to obtain funds in accordance with this section, it shall determine by resolution that it is necessary to construct the water resource project and to maintain and operate the same on behalf of the district.

Prior to the adoption of the resolution making such determination, the board of trustees shall give notice of the pendency thereof and of the proposed determination of the necessity of the construction of such project therein generally described, and such notice shall set forth a description of the properties to be benefited by such project and the time and place of a hearing of objections to, and endorsements of, such project. Such notice shall be given by publication in one newspaper of general circulation in the district once a week for two consecutive weeks or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code, the first publication to be at least two weeks prior to the date set for the hearing, provided that the board of trustees may give, or cause to be given, such alternative or further notice of such hearing as it finds to be necessary or appropriate. At such hearing, or at any adjournment thereof, of which no further notice need be given, the board of trustees shall hear all owners whose properties are proposed to be assessed and such other evidence as is considered to be necessary, and may then adopt its resolution determining that the proposed project is necessary and should be undertaken by the district. In such resolution, the board of trustees shall direct the preparation of the estimated assessments upon the benefited properties and by whom they shall be prepared.

After such assessments have been prepared and filed in the office of the secretary of the board of trustees and prior to the adoption of the resolution levying such assessments, the board of trustees shall give notice of the pendency of such resolution and of the proposed determination to levy such assessments, and such notice shall set forth the time and place of a hearing of objections to such assessments. Such notice shall be given by publication once in one newspaper of general circulation in the district, such publication to be made at least ten days prior to the date set for the hearing, provided that the board of trustees may give or cause to be given, such alternative of further notice of such hearing as it finds to be necessary or appropriate. At such hearing, or at any adjournment thereof, of which no further notice need be given, the board of trustees shall hear all persons whose properties are proposed to be assessed, shall correct any errors and make any revisions in the estimated assessments that appear to be necessary or just, and may then adopt a resolution levying upon the properties determined to be benefited the assessments as originally prepared or as so corrected and revised.

The board of trustees shall have the power at any time to levy additional assessments upon such properties to complete the payment of the costs for which the original assessments were levied or to provide funds for any additional plans, specifications, estimates of cost, tentative assessments, and other incidental costs, provided that the board shall first have held a hearing on objections to such additional assessments in the same manner as required by this section with respect to such original assessments. Such additional assessments shall be payable in such number of annual installments, not less than one, as the board of trustees prescribes, together with interest on any water resource revenue notes and bonds which may be issued in anticipation of the collection of such assessments.

The board of trustees may authorize contracts to carry out the purposes for which such assessments have been levied without the prior issuance of water resource revenue notes and bonds, provided that the payments to be made by the district do not fall due prior to the times when such assessments shall be collected.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.28, HB 153, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2011.

Effective Date: 11-19-1971 .