65-212. Establishment of mental health clinics and joint boards of mental health in certain counties; tax levies, use of proceeds; issuance of bonds; adoption and publication of resolution; protest petition and election. The board of county commissioners of any such county may, upon the establishment of such mental health clinic, levy an annual tax upon all taxable tangible property in such county for the operation of such mental health clinic, and in addition thereto to provide for the construction of facilities for such mental health clinic and to pay a portion of the principal of and interest on bonds issued under the authority of K.S.A. 12-1774, and amendments thereto, by cities located in the county. In addition to the levy authorized for the operation of such mental health clinic, the board of county commissioners may levy an annual tax on all taxable tangible property in their county and may issue and sell general obligation bonds of such county, for the purpose of creating and providing a special fund to be used in acquiring a site for, and the building, equipping, repairing, remodeling and furnishing of a mental health clinic or for any one or more of such purposes. Such levy may also be used to pay a portion of the principal of and interest on bonds issued under the authority of K.S.A. 12-1774, and amendments thereto, by cities located in the county. Such additional tax levy may be made annually until sufficient funds have been created for such purpose or purposes, or if the county has issued and sold general obligation bonds, the proceeds raised by the annual tax levy shall be used to retire the general obligation bonds and such tax levy shall continue until the general obligation bonds have been retired. Such federal, state or private funds as may be available may be accepted by the board of county commissioners to be placed in the fund for operation of or construction of a mental health clinic as the case may be. Title to the building or buildings of the mental health clinic shall vest in the board of county commissioners and they may allow the mental health clinic which is subject to the jurisdiction of the joint board of health pursuant to K.S.A. 65-211, and amendments thereto, to use the building without charge. The proceeds thereof shall be placed in the hands of the treasurer of the joint board of health, to be administered as provided by K.S.A. 65-206, and amendments thereto. No levy shall be made under the provisions of this act until a resolution authorizing the making of such levies is passed by the board of county commissioners and published in three successive issues in a newspaper of general circulation within the county, whereupon such levies may be made unless a petition in opposition to the same, signed by electors equal in number to not less than 10% of the qualified electors of such county who voted for the office of secretary of state in the last preceding election, is filed with the county clerk of such county within 30 days following the last publication of such resolution.

In the event such petition is filed it shall be the duty of the board of county commissioners to submit the question to the voters at an election called for such purpose or at the next general election. None of the debt limitations prescribed by law for any such county shall apply to any bonds issued under the authority conferred by this act. The provisions of this act shall be supplemental to other existing health laws in the counties affected thereby, but shall in no way abrogate or amend any such other existing health laws.

History: L. 1955, ch. 285, § 2; L. 1961, ch. 284, § 1; L. 1965, ch. 371, § 2; L. 1970, ch. 100, § 39; L. 1975, ch. 162, § 37; L. 1979, ch. 52, § 159; L. 1988, ch. 378, § 1; L. 1999, ch. 154, § 42; May 27.