A. If the governing body determines it is necessary to procure water for the benefit of the shade or ornamental trees in the streets and public grounds within the municipality, the governing body may:

(1) procure water from any available source at the lowest price for which the water may be obtained; and

(2) construct irrigation ditches, laterals, headgates and other works for properly and economically conducting the water to the streets and public grounds for the benefit of the shade and ornamental trees.

B. On or before the first Monday in April of each year, the governing body by resolution shall for the ensuing calendar year:

(1) determine what streets, parts of streets and public grounds shall be irrigated;

(2) estimate the expense of irrigating the shade and ornamental trees which shall include the cost of water, constructing ditches and laterals, keeping the ditches and laterals in repair, and delivering the water throughout the irrigation system; and

(3) equitably assess each tract or parcel of land along, by or in front of which a ditch or lateral runs and conducts water, its proportion cost of the total estimated expense according to the length of the row of trees along the streets contiguous to the lots or tracts of lands.

C. The resolution shall further provide for the manner of giving notice of the assessment and when the assessment is due and payable.

D. If the owner or agent of the tract or parcel of land assessed as provided in this section fails to pay the assessment within the time provided by the resolution required in this section and after notice is given to the owner or agent of the tract or parcel of land assessed, the assessment becomes a lien against the tract or parcel of land so assessed and shall be enforced as provided in Sections 3-36-1 through 3-36-5 NMSA 1978.

E. On or before the first Monday in April of each year, the governing body may establish a charge in addition to the assessment provided for in this section for furnishing water to any tract or parcel of land privately owned within the municipality for irrigation purposes but no water shall be delivered to a tract or parcel of land until the annual charge has been paid in advance.

F. The governing body may by ordinance adopt regulations preventing the waste or excess use of water.

History: 1953 Comp., § 14-54-5, enacted by Laws 1965, ch. 300.

Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — Discrimination between property within and that outside municipality or other governmental district as to public service or utility rates, 4 A.L.R.2d 595.

63 C.J.S. Municipal Corporations § 1320.