Current through 2024 First Special Session
Section 31-15-16c - Bonds for county capital improvements; limitations; authority to issue revenue bonds; use of funds to pay for projects(a) The West Virginia Economic Development Authority may, in accordance with the provisions of this article and article twenty seven, chapter seven of this code, issue special revenue bonds from time to time, to pay for a portion of the cost of constructing, equipping, improving or maintaining road projects under article twenty seven, chapter seven of this code or to refund the bonds, at the request of the county. The principal amount of the bonds issued under this section may not exceed, in the aggregate, an amount that, in the opinion of the Authority, is necessary to provide sufficient funds for achievement of the purposes of this section and article twenty seven, chapter seven of this code, and is within the limits of moneys pledged for the repayment of the principal, interest and redemption premium, if any, on any revenue bonds or refunding bonds authorized by this section and article twenty seven, chapter seven of the code. Any revenue bonds issued on or after the effective date of this section which are secured by county transportation sales and use tax shall mature at a time or times not exceeding thirty years from their respective dates except as otherwise provided in article twenty-seven, chapter seven of the code. The principal, interest and redemption premium, if any, on the bonds shall be payable solely from the county's subaccount in the County Road Improvement Account in the State Treasury established in article twenty-seven, chapter seven of this code.(b) All amounts deposited in the fund shall be pledged to the repayment of the principal, interest and redemption premium, if any, on any revenue bonds or refunding revenue bonds authorized by this section. The Authority may further provide in the trust agreement for priorities on the revenues paid into the county's subaccount in the County Road Improvement Account as may be necessary for the protection of the prior rights of the holders of bonds issued at different times under the provisions of this section or article twenty seven, chapter seven of this code. The bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be separate from all other bonds which may be or have been issued from time to time under the provisions of this article or article twenty seven, chapter seven of this code. The debt service fund established for each bond issue shall be pledged solely for the repayment of bonds issued pursuant to this section and article twenty seven, chapter seven of this code. On or prior to May 1 of each year, commencing May 1, 2017, the Authority shall certify to each county commission the principal and interest and coverage ratio requirements for the following fiscal year on any revenue bonds or refunding revenue bonds issued pursuant to this section, and for which moneys deposited in the debt service fund have been pledged, or will be pledged, for repayment pursuant to this section.(c) After the Authority has issued bonds authorized by this section, and after the requirements of all funds have been satisfied, including coverage and reserve funds established in connection with the bonds issued pursuant to this section, any balance remaining in the debt service fund may be used for the redemption of any of the outstanding bonds issued under this section which, by their terms, are then redeemable or for the purchase of the outstanding bonds at the market price, but not to exceed the price, if any, at which redeemable, and all bonds redeemed or purchased shall be immediately canceled and shall not again be issued. Any funds not used as provided in this subsection shall be returned to the county commission of the county for which the bonds were issued.Added by 2016 Acts, ch. 51 (HB 4009), eff. 6/10/2016.