(A) The newly converted district has all rights and powers of a public body politic and corporate of this State including, without limitations, all the rights and powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate its purposes including, but not limited to, the following rights and powers to:

(1) have perpetual succession;

(2) sue and be sued and appear and defend in all actions and proceedings in its corporate name to the same extent as a natural person;

(3) adopt, use, and alter a corporate seal;

(4) maintain a principal office;

(5) adopt, change, amend, and repeal bylaws for the management and regulation of its affairs;

(6) receive, administer, and comply with the conditions and requirements respecting any gift, grant, or donation of any property or money;

(7) purchase, build, construct, maintain, rent, lease, and operate ditches, tunnels, culverts, flumes, conduits, mains, pipes, trunk and collection lines, dykes, dams, reservoirs, water and wastewater treatment facilities, and any adjunct facility or facilities for the impounding, treatment, production, transmission, distribution, operation, service in connection with the sale of water or supply of sewer service;

(8) acquire and operate any type of machinery, appliances, or appurtenances necessary or useful in constructing, operating, and maintaining the system;

(9) enter into contracts of short or long duration;

(10) prescribe rate charges for its services and enact regulations;

(11) make contracts of all kinds and execute all instruments or documents necessary or convenient to carry out the business of the district;

(12) sell, lease, exchange, transfer, or otherwise dispose of or grant option for any purpose with respect to any real or personal property or interest in them in conformity with state law;

(13) acquire by purchase, lease, gift, or otherwise, or obtain options for the acquisition of any property, real or personal, improved or unimproved, including an interest in land less than the fee in conformity with state law;

(14) incur liabilities, lend and borrow money, issue bonds or notes of the district, secure its obligations by mortgage, and pledge or assign any money, rents, charges, or other revenues and any proceeds derived by the district from the sales of property, insurance, or condemnation awards;

(15) acquire, enjoy, utilize, and dispose of patents, copyrights, and trademarks and licenses and other rights or interests in them;

(16) authorize the construction, operation, maintenance of any project by any person, firm, or corporation, including political subdivisions and agencies of any state of the United States;

(17) apply to the appropriate agencies of the State, the United States or any state, and to any other proper agency for and obtain from them permits, licenses, certificates, or approvals as may be necessary; and construct, maintain, and operate the project in accordance with such license, permits, certificates, or approvals;

(18) appoint officers, agents, employees, and servants to prescribe the duties of such, to fix their compensation, and to determine if and to what extent they must be bonded for the faithful performance of their duties;

(19) employ engineers, architects, attorneys, appraisers, financial advisors, and other consultants and employers as may be required in the judgment of the district and fix and pay their compensation from funds available to the joint system, if applicable;

(20) engage in the business of supplying water, water distribution, or sewage collection or treatment; and

(21) exercise, in connection with water or sewage disposal business, the power of eminent domain as prescribed in Section 6-13-50(19).

(B) The rates charged for services furnished for the purpose of providing water supply or sewage disposal, or a combination of these services, is not subject to supervision or regulations by any state bureau, board, commission, or like instrumentality or agency of it.

HISTORY: 2001 Act No. 78, Section 2.