Wash. Rev. Code § 87.03.115

Current through 2024

Section 87.03.115 - Organization of board-Meetings-Quorum-Certain powers and duties

(1) The directors of the district shall organize as a board and shall elect a president from their number, and appoint a secretary, who shall keep a record of their proceedings.

(2) The office of the directors and principal place of business of the district shall be at some place in the county in which the organization was effected, to be designated by the directors.

(3) The directors serving districts of five thousand acres or more shall hold a regular monthly meeting at their office on the first Tuesday in every month, or on such other day in each month as the board shall direct in its bylaws, and may adjourn any meeting from time to time as may be required for the proper transaction of business.

(4) Directors serving districts of less than five thousand acres shall hold at least quarterly meetings on a day designated by the board's bylaws, and may adjourn any meeting from time to time as may be required for the proper transaction of business.

(5) Special meetings shall be called and conducted in the manner required by chapter 42.30 RCW.

(6) All meetings of the directors must be public.

(7) A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and in all matters requiring action by the board there shall be a concurrence of at least a majority of the directors.

(8) All records of the board shall be open to the inspection of any electors during business hours.

(9) The board shall have the power, and it shall be its duty, to adopt a seal of the district, to manage and conduct the business and affairs of the district, to make and execute all necessary contracts, to employ and appoint such agents, officers, and employees as may be necessary and prescribe their duties, and to establish equitable bylaws, rules, and regulations for the government and management of the district, and for the equitable distribution of water to the lands within the district, upon the basis of the beneficial use thereof, and generally to perform all such acts as shall be necessary to fully carry out the provisions of this chapter: PROVIDED, That all water, the right to the use of which is acquired by the district under any contract with the United States shall be distributed and apportioned by the district in accordance with the acts of congress, and rules and regulations of the secretary of the interior until full reimbursement has been made to the United States, and in accordance with the provisions of said contract in relation thereto.

(10) The bylaws, rules, and regulations must be on file and open to inspection of any elector during regular business hours.

(11) All leases, contracts, or other form of holding any interest in any state or other public lands shall be, and the same are hereby declared to be title to and evidence of title to lands and for all purposes within *this act, shall be treated as the private property of the lessee or owner of the contractual or possessory interest: PROVIDED, That nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the title of the state or other public ownership, nor shall any lien for such assessment attach to the fee simple title of the state or other public ownership.

(12) The board of directors shall have authority to develop and to sell, lease, or rent the use of:

(a) Water facilities and water derived from the operation of the water facilities to such municipal and quasi-municipal entities, the state of Washington, and state entities and agencies, and public and private corporations and individuals located within and outside the boundaries of the district, and on such terms and conditions as the board of directors shall determine;

(b) electric facilities and power derived from electric facilities authorized by RCW 87.03.015 or 87.03.0155, to such municipal or quasi-municipal corporations and cooperatives authorized to engage in the business of distributing electricity, electrical companies subject to the jurisdiction of the utilities and transportation commission, private commercial or industrial entities that acquire electric power for their own use or resale, and other irrigation districts, and on such terms and conditions as the board of directors shall determine; and

(c) power derived from electric facilities authorized by RCW 87.03.015 or 87.03.0155 on such terms and conditions as the board of directors shall determine. No water shall be furnished for use outside of said district until all demands and requirements for water for use in said district are furnished and supplied by said district. As soon as any public lands situated within the limits of the district shall be acquired by any private person, or held under any title of private ownership, the owner thereof shall be entitled to receive his or her proportion of water as in case of other land owners, upon payment by him or her of such sums as shall be determined by the board, and at the time to be fixed by the board, which sums shall be such equitable amount as such lands should pay having regard to placing said lands on the basis of equality with other lands in the district as to benefits received, and giving credit if equitable for any sums paid as water rent by the occupant of said lands prior to the vesting of private ownership, and such lands shall also become subject to all taxes and assessments of the district thereafter imposed.

RCW 87.03.115

Amended by 2017 c 63,§ 3, eff. 7/23/2017.

Amended by 2013 c 23,§ 492, eff. 7/28/2013.

1983 c 262 § 1; 1979 ex.s. c 185 § 3; 1921 c 129 § 5; 1919 c 180 § 4; 1915 c 179 § 4; 1913 c 165 § 5; 1889-90 p 677 § 11; RRS § 7428. Formerly RCW 87.01.200 and 87.32.010, part.

*Reviser's note: "This act" first appears in 1921 c 129 s 5.

Effective date-Severability-1979 ex.s. c 185: See notes following RCW 87.03.013.

Director divisions: Chapter 87.04 RCW.