HARRY HUGHES, Governor

2065

BOARD. Connection charges [shall] MAY be established by the
[commission subject to the approval of the county
commissioners] BOARD. These charges may be based upon
reasonable classifications AS the [commissioners] BOARD may
determine and those classifications may vary within any
water[,] OR sewer[, or drainage] system and among any of
those systems depending on any special circumstances which
the [commission] BOARD finds exist. The charges provided
are not to be limited to the costs to the [commission] BOARD
for making those connections. The [commission] BOARD is
empowered to determine the manner in which charges shall be
payable.

(b) The [commission] BOARD may permit a connection
with a water main or sewer by a property owner whose
property does not abut on the water main or sewer. The
entire cost of extending the system to the property to be
connected (specifically including, but without limitation,
the cost of engineering and feasibility studies, and of
acquiring necessary easements) shall be paid by the property
owner requesting service. However, if the size of the
extension required by the [commission] COUNTY exceeds that
which may be necessary to serve the property of the owner
requesting service, then the cost of the excess shall be
paid by the [commission] BOARD. The costs to be paid by the
property owner, as estimated by the [commission] BOARD, plus
a reasonable reserve for contingencies, shall be deposited
by the property owner with the [commission] BOARD before the
[commission] COUNTY enters into any contract or incurs any
expense in connection with the proposed extension. The cost
of the extension required to be paid by the property owner
shall be in addition to those front—foot benefit assessments
as may be assessed according to Section [10A—19] 10A—25 of
this chapter, and those connection charges as may be imposed
according to Subsection (a) of this section.

[10A-21.] 10A-28.

For the purpose of providing funds for maintaining,
repairing, and operating its water [supply,] AND sewerage[,
or drainage] systems, and for its operation and other
expenses, including property depreciation allowances, and
for interest on and the retirement of bonds as specified in
this chapter, the [commission] BOARD may make the following
charges:

(1) A water and sewer service charge. The
rates for water and sewer service shall consist of a minimum
or ready-to-serve charge which shall be based upon the size
of the meter on the water connection leading to the
property, and of a charge for water used, which shall be
based upon the amount of water passing through the meter
during the period between the last two readings. The meter
shall be required to be placed on each water connection by
and at the sole expense of the [commission] COUNTY, and it
shall remain the property of the [commission] COUNTY. Such
rates shall be [uniform throughout each such system operated