As used in this article, the following definitions apply:

A district may be created pursuant to, and it may exercise the powers granted by, this article.

Whenever it is desired to form a district, a petition requesting the creation and maintenance of a district, and describing the exterior boundaries of the proposed district shall be signed by at least 5,000 electors residing within the territory proposed to be included in the district and shall be presented to the board of supervisors of the county containing the largest area within the proposed district.

fees.

city and on the city or county’s Internet Web site. At least 20 days before the hearing, the legislative body shall give mailed notice of its hearing to the executive officer of the local agency formation commission of the principal county. The notice shall generally describe the proposed formation of the district and the territory proposed to be included in the district.

A petition may consist of any number of separate instruments, all of which together shall constitute one petition. Each instrument shall contain the affidavit of the person who circulated it, certifying that each signature is the true signature of the person whose name it purports to be. Every elector signing the petition shall write his address opposite his signature. The clerk of the board of supervisors of the county having the largest area within the proposed district, shall check and verify the signatures to the petition and certify the result of the examination to the board of supervisors.

If the petition contains names of electors residing in a county other than the one having the largest area within the proposed district, and does not contain the requisite number of signatures of electors residing in the county having the largest area within the proposed district, a duplicate original of the petition shall be filed with the board of supervisors of the other county, and the clerk of the board of supervisors of the other county shall likewise check and verify the signatures to the petition and certify the result to the board of supervisors of his county, and thereupon copies of the clerk’s certificates shall be transmitted to each county

affected.

If the petition contains sufficient signatures of electors residing in the county having the largest area within the proposed district, but the petition includes land within another county or other counties, the clerk of the board of supervisors of the county having the largest area within the proposed district shall transmit a certified copy of the petition and of his certificate to the board of supervisors of the other county or counties.

subdivision (c), includes the servicing of bonds issued pursuant to Section 5539.3.

to be held in the proposed regional district for the purpose of determining whether the regional district shall be formed.

description of proposed outlays for operation and maintenance, to be funded, over a 20-year period from the date on which the assessment is first levied, with proceeds of assessments levied by the regional district.

on the proposition vote in favor of formation of the regional district.

of supervisors shall act, ex officio, as the governing body of the district. In those cases, the provisions of this article pertaining to the election of district directors shall not apply and all powers and authority of the district shall be vested in the board of supervisors of the county in its capacity as the governing body of the district.

the district is not subject to the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 (Division 3 (commencing with Section 56000) of Title 5 of the Government Code).

The governing body of a district formed pursuant to Section 5506.5 may, by resolution, change the legal name of the district to the “Marin County Open Space District” or the “Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District,” as appropriate.

election of district directors do not apply, and all powers and authority of the district shall be vested in the board of supervisors in its capacity as the governing body of the district.

The election shall be consolidated with a statewide election or any election conducted throughout Riverside County.

Los Angeles County, including all incorporated cities.

which the district will be financed.

levying annual assessments for all categories of property.

servicing shall be used to supplement existing levels of service and not to fund existing levels of service.

servicing of bonds issued pursuant to Section 5539.10.

provisions of this article pertaining to district directors do not apply, and all powers and authority of the regional district shall be vested in the board of supervisors in its capacity as the governing body of the regional district.

pursuant to Section 9160 of the Elections Code.

operation and maintenance. Bond proceeds may be expended to pay all costs incidental to the preparation and issuance of the bonds.

proposed regional district and state the reasons for forming it.

state the reasons for forming it.

districts.

cities within that territory.

paragraph (8). The provisions of this article pertaining to district directors do not apply, and all powers and authority of the regional district shall be vested in the board of supervisors in its capacity as the governing body of the regional district, unless a separate board is elected pursuant to paragraph (8).

sooner than 10 years after formation of the regional district, the directors may, after holding a hearing, adopt a resolution placing the question of having an elected board of directors pursuant to Section 5527 on the ballot. Notice of the hearing on the resolution, specifying the time and place, shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the district.

is submitted to the voters at a general district election, the notice required by Section 12112 of the Elections Code shall contain a statement of the question to appear on the ballot. If the question is submitted to the voters at a special election, the notice of election and ballot shall contain a statement of the question.

Reorganization Act of 2000 (Division 3 (commencing with Section 56000) of Title 5 of the Government Code).

If the clerk’s certificate or certificates indicate that the petition has been properly signed, the board of supervisors of the county or counties not having the largest area within the proposed district shall, by resolution, fix a time and place for a hearing upon the question whether the territory described within the boundaries of its county will be benefited and should be included in the proposed district.

Notice of the hearing, specifying the time and place, shall be published twice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county conducting the hearing. The first publication shall be at least ten days before the day of the hearing.

The hearing may be continued from time to time, not exceeding four weeks in all. At the conclusion of the hearing the board of supervisors conducting it shall pass a resolution, either approving in whole or in part the inclusion within the proposed district of the territory within its county described in the petition, or disapproving it. If the board approves it in part only, it shall in the resolution describe the territory in its county the inclusion of which it approves. It shall then cause a certified copy of the resolution to be immediately transmitted to the clerk of the board of supervisors of the county having the largest area within the proposed

district.

The board of supervisors of the county having the largest area within the proposed district shall then, by resolution, fix a time and place for a hearing upon the question whether the petition should be granted and further proceedings taken under this article, and whether the property described in the petition will be benefited and should be included in the proposed district.

Notice of the hearing, specifying the time and place, shall be published twice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county conducting the hearing. The first publication shall be at least ten days before the day of the hearing.

The hearing may be continued from time to time, not exceeding four weeks in all. At the conclusion of the hearing, the board of supervisors conducting it shall pass a resolution, either approving the petition in whole or in part, or denying it. If the board approves it in part only, it shall describe in the resolution the territory proposed to be included in the district. It shall not include in the description any territory, the inclusion of which has not been approved by the board of supervisors of the county in which it is located.

that purpose, by resolution approved by four-fifths of the directors of the district. Notice of the hearing, specifying the time and place, shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the district; or if there be none, in the county having the largest population within the district.

Where all the territory described in the petition is located entirely within one county, the board of supervisors of that county shall, after the petition has been checked and certified by the clerk, proceed in the first instance as provided for the county having the largest area within the proposed district.

created and established and, if necessary, for the purpose of electing the first board of directors therefor in case the district is created.

Before calling the election the board of supervisors shall divide the proposed district into five or seven wards or subdistricts, the boundaries of which shall be so drawn that each contains approximately an equal number of electors.

The municipalities and any other territory included in the proposed district may be divided for the purpose of establishing the boundaries of the wards or subdistricts, if no election precinct is divided.

Upon establishing the wards the board of supervisors of the county shall give notice of an election to be held within the proposed district for the purpose of determining whether it shall be created and established, and for the purpose of electing directors if established.

The notice shall state the name of the proposed district, and describe its boundaries. It shall also describe the boundaries of the wards or subdistricts provided for the purpose of electing directors.

The notice shall be published once a week for at least three weeks before the day of the election in each municipality in the proposed district. If no newspaper of general circulation is published in any of the municipalities included in the district, the notice shall be posted for at least three weeks in not less than three public places in each of such municipalities. If unincorporated territory is included in the district the notice shall be posted for a like period in at least three public places in the unincorporated territory.

Within five days after the district formation election has been called, the legislative body which has called the election shall transmit, by registered mail, a written notification of the election call to the executive officer of the local agency formation commission of the county or principal county in which the territory or major portion of the territory of the proposed district is located. Such written notice shall include the name and a description of the proposed district, and may be in the form of a certified copy of the resolution adopted by the legislative body calling the district formation election.

The executive officer,

within five days after being notified that a district formation election has been called, shall submit to the commission, for its approval or modification, an impartial analysis of the proposed district formation.

The impartial analysis shall not exceed 500 words in length and shall include a specific description of the boundaries of the district proposed to be formed.

The local agency formation commission, within five days after the receipt of the executive officer’s analysis, shall approve or modify the analysis and submit it to the officials in charge of conducting the district formation election.

The board of supervisors or any member or members of the board authorized by the board, or any individual voter or bona fide association of citizens entitled to vote on the district formation proposition, or any combination of such voters and associations of citizens, may file a written argument for or a written argument against the proposed district formation.

Arguments shall not exceed 300 words in length and shall be filed with the officials in charge of conducting the election not less than 54 days prior to the date of the district formation election.

If more than one argument for or more than one argument against the proposed district formation is filed with the election officials within the time prescribed, such election officials shall select one of the arguments for printing and distribution to the voters.

In selecting the arguments, the election officials shall give preference and priority in the order named to the arguments of the following:

voters or bona fide associations of citizens or a combination of such voters and associations.

The elections officials in charge of conducting the election shall cause a ballot pamphlet concerning the district formation proposition to be voted on to be printed and mailed to each voter entitled to vote on the district formation question.

The ballot pamphlet shall contain the following, in the order prescribed:

proposition, prepared by the local agency formation commission.

The elections officials shall mail a ballot pamphlet to each voter entitled to vote in the district formation election at least 10 days prior to the date of the election. The ballot pamphlet is “official matter” within the meaning of Section 13303 of the Elections Code.

The ballots for the election shall contain such instructions as are required by law, and in addition the following:

The ballots shall also contain the names of the persons nominated in each ward to serve as a member of the board of directors from the ward, showing separately each ward and its nominees. Any person may be nominated for the office of director upon written petition of 50 or more qualified electors of the ward or subdistrict in which the nominee resides.

The election, including the nomination and election of directors and all matters not otherwise provided for by this article, shall be held and conducted and the result ascertained, determined, and declared in accordance with the general election laws of the State, as nearly as may be. No person is entitled to vote at the election unless he is a qualified elector of the territory included in the proposed district. The election may be held on the same day as and consolidated with any State, county, or city election.

The election returns shall be forwarded to the board of supervisors of the county having the largest area within the proposed district at the conclusion of the canvass, pursuant to Section 15372 of the Elections Code. At the next meeting after the receipt of the election returns, the board shall certify the results of the election. If a majority of those who have voted on the proposition vote in favor of the creation of the district the board of supervisors shall order and declare the district created.

If it appears from

the canvass that a majority of the electors voting at the election have voted against the formation of the district, the proceedings fail entirely, and there shall be no similar proceedings instituted within that territory within six months from the date of the election.

The board of supervisors shall also canvass the returns of the election with respect to the persons voted for as directors, and shall declare the persons receiving the highest number of votes, for each ward, respectively, to be duly elected as directors of the district, if they are residents and electors of the ward of the district as finally determined.

A person is not entitled to serve as a director unless he is a resident and elector of the district as finally determined, and any vacancies on the board of directors caused by the elimination of territory shall be filled by the remaining directors, in which case ward lines may be disregarded in making their appointments.

The directors shall hold their respective offices only until the first Monday after the first day of January next following the first general election held at least 11 months after the election at which the district was formed, and until their successors are elected and qualified.

The board of supervisors of the county having the largest area within the district shall cause a certified copy of the order declaring the district created and established, declaring the result of the election, and describing the boundaries of the district, to be recorded with the county recorder of each county in which any portion of the district is situated, and a certified copy shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State. Thereupon the creation and establishment of the district is complete, and the persons elected as directors shall enter immediately upon their official duties after qualifying according to law.

The board of supervisors calling the election shall make all provisions for holding the election throughout the entire proposed district.

The district shall pay the cost of the election, except that if it fails to be created and established, the county shall pay the cost of the election.

No informality in any proceeding or in the conduct of the election, not substantially affecting adversely the legal rights of any person, shall be held to invalidate the incorporation of any district, and any proceedings in which the validity of the incorporation is attacked shall be commenced within three months from the date of filing the order described in section 5524 with the Secretary of State; otherwise, incorporation and the legal existence of the district is valid and in every respect legal and incontestable.

Any action or proceeding in a district formed pursuant to Section 5506.5, in Sonoma County, in which the validity of the imposition of any tax authorized by this article or the issuance of any bonds under this article or any of the proceedings in relation thereto is contested, questioned, or denied, shall be commenced pursuant to Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 860) of Title 10 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure. Any such action brought pursuant to Section 863 of the Code of Civil Procedure shall be commenced within 180 days of the levy of the contested tax or the authorization of the bond sale. Otherwise, the taxes and

bonds and all proceedings in relation thereto, including the adoption and approval of ordinances, shall be held to be valid and in every respect legal and incontestable.

The government of each district shall be vested in a board of five or seven directors, one from each of the wards or subdistricts, together with the other officers mentioned in this article. Directors shall be residents and electors of the wards or subdistricts from which they are nominated. Directors who are elected at any election which is held after October 1, 1965, shall be elected by ward or subdistrict and the qualified electors in any ward or subdistrict may only vote at a district election at which a director is to be elected to represent such ward or subdistrict and may only vote for one of the persons who is nominated for such office.

consolidation or reorganization.

than five, the board of directors may, by majority vote of the remaining members of the board, choose not to fill the vacancy. In that event, the total membership of the board of directors shall be reduced by one board member. Upon making the determination not to fill a vacancy, the board of directors shall notify the board of supervisors of its decision.

All elections and nominations of candidates for directors subsequent to the first shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general election laws of the State as near as they may be applicable when not in conflict with this article.

At least 10 days before the date fixed for the district election, notice of the election shall be given by publication once in one or more newspapers of general circulation published and circulated in the district. In districts where no newspaper of general circulation is published, notice shall be posted in three public places for two successive weeks. No other notice of an election need be given. The notice shall refer to the wards as previously established by resolution or ordinance of the board of directors.

The board of directors shall, in the notice, ordinance, or resolution calling an election, consolidate the district election with the election to be held at the same time in the respective counties in which the district is located and shall authorize the respective boards of supervisors to canvass the returns of the district election and certify the result of the canvass to the directors of the district. The board or boards of supervisors shall so consolidate the election, canvass the returns and cause the result to be properly certified to the board of directors of the district.

The election shall be held in all respects as if there were only one election, and only one ticket or ballot shall be used. Nomination papers shall be circulated throughout the ward. A nomination paper containing the name of the candidate to be nominated, with such other information as is required by this article, shall be signed by at least 50 voters residing within the ward.

election. Upon receipt of the returns of the canvass by the respective boards of supervisors, the directors of the district shall meet and determine results of the election and declare the candidate or candidates elected.

before the last Friday in November in which the election is held, shall appoint to the office or offices the person or persons, if any, who have been nominated. The board of directors shall make the appointments. If no person has been nominated for any office, the board of directors shall appoint any person to the office who is qualified at the first regular or special meeting after the date upon which the election would have been held. The board of directors may permit the candidates running unopposed to have their names appear on the ballot, at the board’s option. The person appointed shall qualify and take office and serve exactly as if elected for the office.

Of the directors elected at the next general state election following the election at which the district is created, those three elected by the highest vote in a five-ward district, or those four elected by the highest vote in a seven-ward district, shall hold office for four years, and the other two in a five-ward district and the other three in a seven-ward district for two years, and until their successors are elected and qualified. Thereafter, at each biennial general election, a number of directors corresponding to the number whose term of office expires shall be elected for terms of four years. The terms shall commence on the first Monday after the first day of January

next following the election.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5533, with respect to any district formed after December 31, 1974, the board of directors shall at its first meeting determine by lot which three wards in a five-ward district or four wards in a seven-ward district, and which two wards in a five-ward district or three wards in a seven-ward district, shall have four- and two-year terms, respectively, at the next general election. Thereafter, at each biennial general election, a number of directors corresponding to the number whose term of office expires shall be elected for terms of four years. The terms shall commence on the first Monday after the first day of January next following

the election.

chapter, the board of supervisors of the county in which the district is formed shall appoint five persons to the board of directors of the district. Each person appointed by the board of supervisors to serve on the board of directors of the district shall be a registered voter in the district. The persons appointed to the initial board of directors shall hold their first meeting not later than the first Monday that falls after 45 days after the date of formation of the district. At the first meeting of the board, the directors shall classify themselves by lot into two classes of members. The term of office of the first class with three members shall expire at noon on the first Monday in January that is closest to the fourth year after the appointments made pursuant to this subdivision. The term of office of the class with two members shall expire at noon on the first Monday in January that is closest to the second year after the appointments made pursuant to this subdivision.

The board of directors may by resolution or ordinance fix the boundaries of the wards or subdistricts for the purpose of electing directors, after the first election creating and establishing the district. The wards shall be established in ample time prior to each biennial general election to permit candidates for the position of directors to circulate nominating papers.

Notwithstanding any provision in this article to the contrary, the board may at any time by ordinance alter the existing boundaries of the wards or subdistricts and create new wards or subdistricts for the purpose of increasing the number of the board of directors.

The board of directors shall choose one of its members president, and another vice president, who shall act for the president during his absence or disability. The board of directors shall either choose one of its members to serve as secretary and another to serve as treasurer or shall employ one or more administrative secretaries or clerks to perform the duties of secretary or treasurer, or both. The board shall provide for the time and place of holding its meetings, which shall be held at least once each month. All legislative sessions of the board, whether regular or special, shall be open to the public. A majority of the board constitutes a quorum for the transaction of

business.

compensation for more than six meetings of the board in a calendar month, except that board members of the East Bay Regional Park District may receive compensation for not more than 10 days in any one calendar month. A board member may elect to waive the per diem. In addition, the board may provide, by ordinance or resolution, that each of its members not otherwise eligible for an employer-paid or partially employer-paid group medical or group dental plan, or both, may participate in any of those plans available to permanent employees of the district on the same terms available to those district employees or on terms and conditions as the board may determine. A board member who elects to participate in any plan may also elect to have the premium for the plan charged against his or her per diem and may further elect to waive the balance of the per diem.

Commencing January 1, 2019, if the district compensates its members for more than five meetings in a calendar month, the board shall annually adopt a written policy describing, based on a finding supported by substantial evidence, why more than five meetings per month are necessary for the effective operation of the district.

prior to the vacancies being filled, determine by lot, for the purpose of fixing the terms of the first directors to be elected to the wards or subdistricts, which ward or subdistrict shall have a four-year term and which ward or subdistrict shall have a two-year term. The persons who fill the vacancies caused by the establishment of new wards or subdistricts shall hold office until the next general election and until their successors are elected and qualified for the terms previously determined by lot.

Code.

Members of the board of directors may be allowed actual necessary traveling and incidental expenses incurred in the performance of official business of the district as approved by the district board. Reimbursement for these expenses is subject to Sections 53232.2 and 53232.3 of the Government Code.

The board of directors is the legislative body of the district and shall determine all questions of policy.

by the board, or by any officers of the district.

The officers and employees of the County of San Diego may act, ex officio, as officers and employees of the regional district formed pursuant to Section 5506.3 and may discharge the authority and responsibility specified in this article. The County of San Diego may provide the services and facilities needed to carry out the functions of the regional district. The proceeds of assessments levied pursuant to Section 5539.3 may be expended to reimburse the county for the actual costs of those services and facilities.

If a district is created and established in Napa County, the district may contract with Napa County to furnish the services of the officers and employees of the county to discharge the authority and responsibility specified in this article.

If the Board of Supervisors of the County of Marin acts as the governing body of a district pursuant to Section 5506.5, the respective officers of that county shall act, ex officio, as officers and employees of the district and discharge the authority and responsibility specified in this article.

If a district is created and established in Riverside County, officers and employees of the County of Riverside may act, ex officio, as officers and employees of the district and may discharge the authority and responsibility specified in this article.

If a regional district is created and established in San Bernardino County, the regional district may contract with the County of San Bernardino to furnish its officers and employees to discharge the authority and responsibility specified in this article.

If the regional district is created and established in Los Angeles County, officers and employees of the County of Los Angeles may act, ex officio, as officers and employees of the regional district and may discharge the authority and responsibility specified in this article. The County of Los Angeles may provide the services and facilities needed to carry out the functions of the regional district. Proceeds of assessments levied pursuant to Section 5539.9 may be used to reimburse the county for the actual costs of these services and facilities.

The officers and employees of the County of Sacramento may act, ex officio, as officers and employees of the regional district formed pursuant to Section 5506.10 and may discharge the authority and responsibility specified in this article. The County of Sacramento may provide the services and facilities needed to carry out the functions of the regional district. The proceeds of assessments levied pursuant to Section 5539.10 may be expended to reimburse the county for the actual costs of those services and facilities.

A district:

(A) Enhanced recreational opportunities and expanded access to recreational facilities for all residents throughout

the regional district.

(B) Improved quality of life for all communities in the regional district by protecting, restoring, and improving the regional district’s irreplaceable park, wildlife, open-space, and beach lands.

(C) Preservation of canyons, foothills, and mountains and development of public access to these lands throughout the regional district.

(D) Protection of the diverse historical, cultural, and archaeological values of the territory of the regional district.

(E) Increased economic activity and expanded employment opportunities within the regional district.

(F) Increased property values, resulting from the benefits specified in this subdivision.

(G) Provision of benefits to all properties within the regional district, including positive impacts on air and water quality, capacity of roads, transportation and other public infrastructure systems, schools, and public utilities.

the densely populated and heavily urbanized areas of the regional district are vital to the health and well-being of all residents in the regional district, and providing those opportunities is a high priority.

and Highways Code, the regional district’s annual report shall include all of the following:

(ii) No additional assessment shall be levied pursuant to this section, including any assessment for time periods beyond those specified in paragraphs (7) and (8) of subdivision (c) of Section 5506.3, unless a proposition, including the provisions specified in paragraphs (5), (8), and (9) of subdivision (c) of Section 5506.3, is approved by a majority

of the voters in the regional district voting on the proposition.

election required by paragraph (6) of subdivision (b), the Board of Supervisors of San Diego County may undertake proceedings on behalf of the proposed regional district in accordance with Part 2 (commencing with Section 22500) of Division 15 of the Streets and Highways Code to create an assessment district with the same boundaries as the proposed regional district. Hearings required pursuant to Part 2 (commencing with Section 22500) of Division 15 of the Streets and Highways Code may be consolidated with those required pursuant to this article. Those proceedings shall be deemed to be the proceedings required by Part 2 (commencing with Section 22500) of Division 15 of the Streets and Highways Code.

restricted, if the governing body determines that the parcel will not benefit from the expenditure of the proceeds of assessments.

The formation of a district with boundaries coterminous with those of Napa County is not subject to the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 (Division 3 (commencing with Section 56000) of Title 5 of the Government Code).

For purposes of open space, parkland acquisition, and development, all provisions of the Improvement Act of 1911 (Division 7 (commencing with Section 5000), Streets and Highways Code), the Improvement Bond Act of 1915 (Division 10 (commencing with Section 8500), Streets and Highways Code), and the Municipal Improvement Act of 1913 (Division 12 (commencing with Section 10000), Streets and Highways Code), are applicable to a district. Whenever the public interest or convenience requires, a district may, at the discretion of the board of directors, use any or all provisions of these acts in order to carry out any purpose of the district.

this purpose may be consolidated with the election for the creation and establishment of the district.

in this section, no assessment shall be levied on real property in a regional district created and established in San Bernardino County unless and until it is approved by a majority of the electors of the regional district. An election called for this purpose may be consolidated with the election for the creation and establishment of the regional district.

parcel is so used or restricted. In addition, the measure shall contain a provision obligating the regional district, if created and established, to issue, upon the request of any person paying the assessment, an annual pass or coupon entitling that person to the free use, or use on a reduced fee basis, of regional district lands and facilities, of a value not to exceed the amount of the assessment that is allocated to regional district facilities and lands and all phases of regional district operations and programs conducted on regional district lands. The pass or coupon shall not apply to special events at regional district facilities or lands and any charges payable to a concessionaire or private person or entity authorized to use regional district facilities or lands.

specially benefit the properties assessed and the persons paying the assessments authorized in this section in at least the following respects:

levied pursuant to this section.

current fiscal year. Whenever the public interest or convenience requires, the regional district may, at the discretion of its governing body, use any or all provisions of that act to carry out any purpose of the regional district.

Supervisors of Los Angeles County may consolidate a proposition submitted to the voters pursuant to this subdivision into a single ballot measure with the proposal to determine whether to create and establish a regional district pursuant to paragraph (6) of subdivision (c) of Section 5506.9. Notwithstanding Section 5518, the County Counsel of the County of Los Angeles shall prepare the language in the ballot label. The proposition shall specify the matters set forth in the resolution adopted pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 5506.9, except paragraph (6) thereof. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972, any assessments proposed pursuant to that act shall be deemed levied upon approval of a majority of the voters voting on the proposition.

the regional district shall be allocated in accordance with paragraphs (5) and (8) of subdivision (c) of Section 5506.9.

the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972, any assessment levied pursuant to this section may include an annual amount to pay the costs of maintenance and servicing of the capital outlay projects funded pursuant to Section 5506.9, and may be collected in annual installments.

Streets and Highways Code.

assessment district may be apportioned by any formula or method that fairly distributes the net amount among all assessable lots or parcels in proportion to the estimated benefits to be received by each lot or parcel from the improvements.

the district.

county, including positive impacts on air and water quality, capacity of roads, transportation and other public infrastructure systems, schools, and public utilities.

high priority.

(A) Enhanced recreational opportunities and expanded access to recreational facilities for all residents throughout the regional district.

(B) Improved quality of life for all communities in the regional district by protecting, restoring, and improving the regional district’s irreplaceable beaches, rivers and creeks, wildlife, parks, and open-space land.

(C) Preservation of natural lands, including foothills, and rivers and creeks, and the development of public access to those lands and waters throughout the regional district.

(D) Protection of the historical and cultural values of the territory of the regional district.

(E) Increased economic activity and expanded employment opportunities within the regional district.

(F) Increased property values, resulting from the benefits specified in this subdivision.

(G) Provision of benefits to all properties within the regional district, including positive impacts on air and water quality, capacity of roads, transportation and other public infrastructure systems, schools, and public utilities.

providing security for, park, recreational, and open-space lands and improvements is vital to the welfare and to the property values of all residents in the regional district.

commercial agricultural use do not benefit from park or open-space lands, facilities, or services funded pursuant to this section.

use of proceeds of assessments, the use of proceeds of bonds, and the territory included within the district, except that the governing body may correct errors in assessments, rule on appeals of assessments against particular parcels, and annually adjust the assessments levied against particular parcels of real property to reflect changes in the uses of those parcels.

proposition. The proposition shall include the matters specified in subdivision (c) of Section 5506.10, except for paragraph (6) of that subdivision. The election held pursuant to this paragraph shall satisfy the requirement for any election that may be required under Section 22525.5 of the Streets and Highways Code.

(ii) No additional assessment shall be levied pursuant to this section, including any assessment for time periods beyond those specified in paragraphs (7) and (8) of subdivision (c) of Section 5506.10, unless a proposition, including the matters specified in subdivision (c) of Section 5506.10, except for paragraph (6) of that subdivision, is approved by a majority of the voters in the regional district voting on the proposition.

payment of debt service on bonds or other evidence of indebtedness previously issued pursuant to this section. Any assessment levied pursuant to this section may include an annual amount to pay the costs of operation and maintenance and may be collected in annual installments.

Division 15 of the Streets and Highways Code.

an assessment district may be apportioned by any formula or method which fairly distributes the net amount among all assessable lots or parcels in proportion to the estimated benefits to be received by each lot or parcel from the improvements.

and any interest so dedicated may be conveyed only as provided in this section.

Notwithstanding Section 5540, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District shall not exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire any real property or any interest in real property in the San Mateo County Coastal Annexation Area, as defined in the Resolution of Application for Annexation Proceedings No. 03-20, which was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District on June 6, 2003.

District.

interest, in perpetuity, to make certain that the customers of the water company have access to safe and reliable drinking water. The fee title or easement interest shall include all facilities owned and operated by the water company, including, but not limited to, treatment plants, delivery systems, reservoirs, and main tributaries.

value basis or for park or open-space purposes under subdivision (a), the East Bay Regional Park District may accept monetary compensation concluded by a highest and best market value determined and documented by a certified, licensed appraiser. The acceptance of monetary compensation under this subdivision is only permissible when the real property or interest in real property exchange is with another public agency. Monetary compensation accepted pursuant to this subdivision shall be used to purchase real property or an interest in real property for park and open-space purposes.

acquired by the district shall be adjacent to other real property owned by the district.

Notwithstanding Section 5540, a district may, with the approval by a four-fifths vote of the board of directors, convey to another public agency any real property, or any interest in real property, dedicated and used for park or open-space purposes, or both, provided the public agency undertakes in a recorded written agreement to continue to use the real property, or the interest in the real property, for those purposes and not to convey the real property, or the interest in the real property, without the consent of a majority of the voters of the district at an

election called and conducted by the board pursuant to Section 5540.

A district may plan, adopt, lay out, plant, develop, and otherwise improve, extend, control, operate, and maintain a system of public parks, playgrounds, golf courses, beaches, trails, natural areas, ecological and open space preserves, parkways, scenic drives, boulevards, and other facilities for public recreation, for the use and enjoyment of all the inhabitants of the district, and it may select, designate, and acquire land, or rights in land, within or without the district, to be used and appropriated for such purposes. It may cause such trails, parkways, scenic drives, and boulevards to be opened, altered, widened, extended, graded or regraded, paved or repaved, planted

or replanted, repaired, and otherwise improved, may conduct programs and classes in outdoor science education and conservation education, and may do all other things necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this article.

The board of directors of a district shall not interfere with control of any of the foregoing or other public property, that are existing, owned or controlled by a municipality or county in the district, except with the consent of the governing body of the municipality, or of the county if the same is in unincorporated territory, and upon such terms as may be mutually agreed upon between the board of directors of the district and the governing body.

The East Bay Regional Park District may plan, adopt, lay out, plant, develop, and otherwise improve, extend, control, operate, and maintain vehicular recreational areas and trails for the use and enjoyment of all the inhabitants of the district, and it may select, designate, and acquire land, or rights in land, within or without the district, to be used and appropriated for such purposes. The East Bay Regional Park District may cause such vehicular recreational areas and trails to be opened, altered, widened, extended, graded or regraded, paved or repaved, planted or replanted, repaired, and otherwise improved.

The Board of Directors

of the East Bay Regional Park District shall not interfere with the control of any vehicular recreational area or trail that is existing, owned, or controlled by a municipality or county in the district, except with the consent of the governing body of the municipality, or of the county if the same is in unincorporated territory, and upon such terms as may be mutually agreed upon between the board of directors of the district and the governing body.

The Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District may plan, acquire, preserve, protect, and otherwise improve, extend, control, operate, and maintain open-space areas, greenbelt areas, wildlife habitat areas, and regional parks for the use and enjoyment of all the inhabitants of the district. The district may select, designate, and acquire land, or rights in land, within or without the district, to be used and appropriated for those purposes.

The district may develop, improve, operate, and maintain the real property conveyed pursuant to Section 5003.12 as a part of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District trail system.

A district may exercise the right of eminent domain to take any property necessary or convenient to accomplish the purposes of this article.

A district may not acquire by condemnation any of the lands, properties, or facilities of any municipal utility district which are appropriated to public use or are used in or are useful to the operations of the municipal utility district or which are within the watershed of any stream or reservoir which supplies water for domestic use or which the directors of the municipal utility district determine by resolution to be properties which are required for the purposes of the municipal utility

district.

shall be quickly heard and determined. If an action for declaratory relief is not filed and served within such 120-day period, the right to bring such action is waived and the provisions of subdivision (a) shall not apply. When a declaratory relief action with respect to such property being sought for city or county road, street, or highway purposes may not be brought pursuant to this section, the provisions of subdivision (a) shall not apply.

A district may make contracts, employ labor, and do all acts necessary for the full exercise of its powers.

A district may borrow money, incur indebtedness, and issue bonds or other evidences of such indebtedness, but it shall not incur any funded indebtedness except in accordance with the provisions of section 5568 of this article.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, the board may borrow money by the issuance of promissory notes or other evidences of indebtedness in an amount, or of a value, not exceeding, in the aggregate at any one time, the greater of 5 percent of the total of the district’s general fund and development fund budgets for the year in which the loan is made, or the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), to be used for any revenue-producing purpose for which the district may expend funds.

A district shall not exercise the borrowing authority conferred by this section if the district, at any time

during the previous two years, has not met the loan repayment requirements of this section and the repayment provisions set forth in the promissory note or other evidence of indebtedness issued for a loan entered into pursuant to this section. A district shall not expend, in any one year, any amount of money in excess of what it collects in property taxes, state and federal subventions, grants, loans, fees, gifts, bequests, or income from other sources.

Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this section shall be repaid during a period not to exceed five years from June 30th of the fiscal year in which it is incurred and shall bear interest at a rate not exceeding 10 percent per annum, or the rate allowed under Section 53531 of the Government Code, if higher, payable annually or semiannually or in part annually and in part semiannually.

Each indebtedness incurred under this section shall be authorized by a resolution of the

board unanimously adopted, shall be evidenced by a promissory note or contract signed by the president of the board and attested by the secretary or treasurer, and shall be sold at not less than 95 percent of the principal amount in the manner determined by the board at a discount which equals the underwriter’s spread. The board shall determine that the discount reflects an underwriter’s spread which is both reasonable and customary under the prevailing market conditions. One of the two signatures may be by facsimile reproduction.

The indebtedness authorized to be incurred by this section shall be in addition to, and the provisions of this section shall not apply to, any bonded indebtedness authorized by vote of the electors.

Nothing in this section limits or restricts the authority of the district to issue promissory notes or deeds of trust in the acquisition of real property or the exercise of its right of eminent domain

subject to the limitations in Section 5568.

Nothing in this section limits the authority of the district to borrow pursuant to Section 5544.3.

section.

or treasurer, and shall be sold at not less than 95 percent of the principal amount in the manner determined by the board at a discount that equals the underwriter’s spread. The board shall determine that the discount reflects an underwriter’s spread that is both reasonable and customary under the prevailing market conditions. One of the two signatures may be by facsimile reproduction. At the time of making the general tax levy after incurring each indebtedness and annually thereafter until the indebtedness is paid or until there is a sum in the treasury set apart for that purpose sufficient to meet all payments of principal and interest on the indebtedness as they become due, a portion of the taxes levied and collected pursuant to Section 50077 of the Government Code, if any, shall be levied and collected and set aside sufficient to pay the interest on the indebtedness and the part of the principal that will become due before the proceeds of a tax levied at the next general tax levy will be available.

The district may, pursuant to Section 5544, borrow not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) to cover operating expenses between the time of formation of the district and the first receipt of revenue under Section 5545.

It may levy and collect, or cause to be levied and collected, taxes to carry out any of its objects or purposes and to pay the obligations of the district. Taxes levied for any one fiscal year shall not exceed ten cents ($0.10) on each one hundred dollars ($100) of the assessed value of all real and personal property within the district. Any tax provided for in this section shall be exclusive of any tax levied to meet the bonded indebtedness of the district and the interest thereon.

The board may submit a proposition to the electors of the district for an increase in the maximum rate of tax specified by Section 5545. The election shall be called and held in the same manner as a bond election, and approval by a majority of all votes cast shall be required to authorize such an increase.

In the event the board of directors proposes to submit a special tax, as provided in Section 50077 of the Government Code, and a bond issue for approval by the voters of the district, or a zone or zones within the district, both the special tax and the bond issue may be consolidated and may appear on the ballot as a single proposition if the special tax and the bond issue are for the same object or purpose.

Any tax imposed under Section 5545 by a district formed pursuant to Section 5506.5 shall be used exclusively for the acquisition of open-space, park, or recreation lands or for the development, operation, or maintenance of open-space, park, or recreation lands so acquired.

A district may contribute money, in those amounts the board of directors, by resolution, finds to be proper, to the State Park and Recreation Commission or to any municipality, county, or other public corporation, district, or agency, for the purpose of assisting in the acquisition of lands within or outside of the district for the purposes specified in section 5541, or for improving the lands in the manner therein specified, when in the judgment of the board of directors the acquisition or improvement is so located and planned as to be of benefit to the district. A

district may grant funds to a private nonprofit entity for the purposes of this section.

The board of directors shall act only by ordinance, resolution, or a motion duly recorded in the minutes of the meeting. The ayes and noes shall be taken upon the passage of all ordinances or resolutions, and entered upon the journal of the proceedings of the board.

An ordinance, resolution, or motion shall not be passed or become effective without the affirmative votes of at least a majority of all the members of the board.

The enacting clause of all ordinances passed by the board shall be in these words: “Be it ordained by the Board of Directors of the (giving the name)

District.”

All resolutions and ordinances shall be signed by the president of the board and attested by the secretary, administrative secretary, or clerk, and all ordinances shall be published once within 30 days after adoption, in a newspaper of general circulation printed, published, and circulated in the district.

The president shall preside over all meetings of the board. He shall sign all contracts and conveyances on behalf of the district after they have been approved by the board, and he shall perform such other duties as may be imposed upon him by the board.

In the absence of the president, or in the event of his inability to act, the vice president shall perform all the powers and duties of the president.

If both the president and vice president are absent or unable to act, the board may select a president pro tempore, who shall perform all the powers and duties of the president.

materials, labor, or other valuable consideration for any purpose, including new construction of a building, structure, or improvement, in amounts not exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). All expenditures shall be reported to the board of directors at its next regular meeting.

with a population of 200,000 or more, and with the approval of the board, the general manager may bind the district, in accordance with board policy that has been adopted in an open meeting, for the payment for equipment, supplies, and materials for any purpose, including new construction of a building, structure, or improvement, excluding labor and services, when the annual aggregate cost does not exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000).

manager to bind the district for labor or services, in an amount not exceeding one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), that are customarily or historically performed by district employees.

from the employee relations system of the principal county. A district in which the employees of the district are subject to the employee relations system of the principal county shall receive employee relations services at cost from the county.

The secretary of the board, the administrative secretary, or the clerk, as the case may be, shall countersign and affix the seal to all contracts and conveyances on behalf of the district, shall act as secretary to the board and keep a record of its proceedings, and shall perform such other duties as may be imposed upon him by the appointing authority or by this article.

The controller is the custodian of the funds of the district and shall make payments by check or by warrant drawn upon the district’s depositories for obligations that have been first approved by a majority of the board of directors at a meeting of the board of directors. The board of directors also may, by resolution and under any terms and conditions which it may prescribe in the resolution, authorize the controller to pay demands against the district, without the prior, specific approval of the board, that are for any purpose for which an expenditure has been previously authorized in the district’s adopted budget and which do not exceed the amount of

expenditure so authorized. Demands so paid shall be presented to the board of directors at the next regular meeting for its review and approval. If the funds of the district are maintained solely in the county treasury, the county auditor shall exercise the powers otherwise conferred by this section on the controller.

The board of directors shall by ordinance or resolution authorize signatories for checks or warrants drawn in payment of obligations and demands against the district. Authorized signatories shall be selected from members of the board of directors of the district, the general manager of the district, the administrative secretary, or any other officers and employees which may be designated by the board.

The controller shall keep an account of all receipts and disbursements, and shall deposit all money received by him or her in a depository or depositories selected by the board of directors.

Notwithstanding Section 5552, the boards of directors of the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District and the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District may, by resolution, eliminate the requirement that demands against that respective district which are paid without the prior, specific approval of the board be presented to the board at the next regular meeting for its review and approval.

The controller shall install and maintain a system of auditing and accounting, which will at all times show the financial condition of the district, and he shall perform such other duties as may be imposed upon him by this article, the board, or the general manager. Payment of employee salaries and benefits and other recurring claims may be authorized annually by the board.

All claims for money or damages against the district are governed by Part 3 (commencing with Section 900) and Part 4 (commencing with Section 940) of Division 3.6 of Title 1 of the Government Code except as provided therein, or by other statutes or regulations expressly applicable thereto.

The directors of the district, before assuming the duties of their office, shall take and subscribe an official oath, and file it in the office of the board. The official oath shall be in the form provided by law for official oaths of county officers.

The board may appoint, employ, or contract for the services of attorneys, consultants, advisers, and such other experts as they deem necessary, and shall authorize the appointment or employment by the general manager of such assistants, deputies, and other appointees and employees as may be deemed necessary by the board to carry out the purposes of this article, and the board shall determine the duties and compensation, or basis of compensation, of all such persons.

The board shall have a suitable office in the district where its maps, plans, documents, records, and accounts shall be kept, subject at all reasonable times and under reasonable regulations to public inspection.

The board may authorize at any time the destruction or disposition of any duplicate record, paper, or document, the original or a permanent photographic reproduction of which is in the files of the district.

A district may destroy a record pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 60200) of Division 1 of Title 6 of the Government Code.

The board shall regulate, restrain, and control the kind of vehicles, and the time and conditions of travel or parking on such public parks, playgrounds, beaches, parkways, scenic drives, boulevards, open spaces, and other facilities for public recreation, and it

shall employ a suitable police force and shall adopt all ordinances, rules, and regulations necessary for the administration, government, protection, and use of the property, improvements, and facilities belonging to the district or under its control.

The board shall, in general, do all acts necessary to the proper execution of the powers and duties granted to, and imposed upon, it by this article, and to manage and control the business and affairs of the district.

(ii) In a nuisance abatement proceeding to obtain a nuisance abatement lien, the notice provided pursuant to this subparagraph shall be served in the same manner as summons in a civil action in accordance with Article 3 (commencing with Section 415.10) of Chapter 4 of Title 5 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(iii) Notwithstanding clause (ii), in a nuisance abatement proceeding to obtain a nuisance abatement lien, if, after diligent search, a party who owns, or is in possession of, a parcel upon which the nuisance is located, created, caused, committed, or maintained cannot be

found, the notice may be served by posting a copy of the notice in a conspicuous place on the parcel for a period of 10 days and publication of the notice in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county in which the parcel is located pursuant to Section 6062 of the Government Code.

owns, or is in possession of, a parcel upon which the nuisance is located, created, caused, committed, or maintained.

of the parcel upon which the lien is imposed, and the name and address of the party who owns the parcel upon which the nuisance is located.

action to abate a nuisance in the name of the district, and, by the judgment in that action, the nuisance may be enjoined or abated and damages may be recovered, as provided in this section.

The board may adopt regulations, and it shall cause the regulations made by it to be posted upon park or other property of the district to which they apply, and it shall cause them to be published at least once in a newspaper published in the county or counties within which the district is in whole or in part situated, and such posting and publication shall be sufficient notice to all persons.

The affidavit of the general manager or the secretary that the district rules and regulations have been so posted and published is prima facie evidence thereof. A copy of the rules and regulations, attested by any member of the board or by its

secretary shall be prima facie evidence that the rules and regulations have been made by the board as provided by law.

In order to protect property, improvements, and facilities of parks under its management or belonging to the district and to preserve the peace within such parks, the district board may confer, on uniformed park employees which it may designate, the authority to issue citations for misdemeanor and infraction violations of state law, city or county ordinances, or district regulations or ordinances, when the violation is committed within a district park and in the presence of the employee issuing the citation. The citations shall be issued in accordance with Chapter 5C (commencing with Section 853.5) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code.

specified in the notice to appear shall be the court of the magistrate before whom the person would be taken if the requirement of taking an arrested person before a magistrate were complied with, or shall be an officer authorized by such court to receive a deposit of bail.

reasonable and sufficient for the appearance of the defendant and shall indorse upon the notice a statement signed by him in the form set forth in Section 815a of the Penal Code. The defendant may, prior to the date upon which he promised to appear in court, deposit with the magistrate the amount of bail thus set. Thereafter, at the time when the case is called for arraignment before the magistrate, if the defendant shall not appear, either in person or by counsel, the magistrate may declare the bail forfeited, and may in his discretion order that no further proceedings shall be had in such case.

Upon the making of such order that no further proceedings be had, all sums deposited as bail shall forthwith be paid into the county treasury for distribution pursuant to Section 1463 of the Penal Code.

appear in court, unless and until he has violated such promise or has failed to deposit bail, to appear for arraignment, trial or judgment, or to comply with the terms and provisions of the judgment, as required by law.

A district may enact in its ordinances clauses which prohibit any person from willfully violating his written promise to appear in court regardless of the disposition of the charge upon which he was orginally arrested.

A district may further provide in its ordinance that when a person signs a written promise to appear at the time and place specified in the written promise to appear and has not posted bail as provided in Section 5560.5, the magistrate shall issue and have delivered for execution a warrant for his arrest within 20 days after his failure to appear as promised, or if such person promises to appear before an officer authorized to accept bail other than a magistrate and fails to do so on or before the date which he promised to appear, then, within 20 days after the delivery of such written promise to appear by the officer to a magistrate having jurisdiction over the offense.

When such person violates his promise to appear before an officer authorized to receive bail other than a magistrate, the officer shall immediately deliver to the magistrate having jurisdiction over the offense charged the written promise to appear and the complaint, if any, filed by the arresting officer.

A district may enact the foregoing as a separate and distinct ordinance which shall apply to all or one or more of its ordinances.

The police appointed or employed by the board shall have, within the district for which they are appointed or employed, all the powers of police officers of municipal corporations except the power of serving and executing civil process.

The board may provide by resolution or regulation for the care, restitution, sale, or destruction of unclaimed property in the possession of the district. Any resolution or regulation adopted pursuant to this section shall provide therein (1) that such unclaimed property shall be held by the district for a period of at least six months, (2) that thereafter such property will be sold at public auction to the highest bidder, and (3) that notice of such sale shall be given by the board at least five days before the time therefor by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation published in the district.

The board may dispose of any such property upon which no bid is made at any such sale.

The district shall be primarily responsible for the prevention and suppression of all fires on any lands in its possession or control, excluding all lands of a district located within the exterior boundaries of any municipality or other fire protection district.

For the purposes of the prevention and suppression of fires on such lands, the board may enter into co-operative mutual aid agreements with the federal government, the State, any municipality, county or district, or any person, corporation or association.

The board may acquire, construct, improve, maintain, and operate golf courses, bathhouses, boathouses, tennis courts, gymnasiums, and other special amusements and forms of recreation, and it may acquire, construct, or complete all buildings, structures, waterways, lakes, equipment, and other necessary or convenient facilities.

It may fix and collect fees for the use by the public of any boats, bathing suits, lockers, golf courses, tennis courts, or other special facilities, services, or equipment.

If, in the opinion of the board, any land or property owned by the district, or any interest therein, becomes unnecessary for the purposes of the district, the board may, subject to the provisions of Section 5540, sell such lands or property, or interest therein. When land or property is temporarily unnecessary for park or open-space purposes, it may be leased for other purposes for a term not exceeding 25 years with an express provision in the lease that should the board by ordinance determine to use the lands for park, open-space, or other district purposes, the lease shall thereby be terminated. The proceeds of any sale or lease of lands or property, or any interest

therein, shall be used for and applied to such purposes of the district as the board may, by resolution, determine.

Notwithstanding Sections 5540 and 5563, the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District may, and the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District may, without obtaining the consent of the voters, lease real property for a term not exceeding 99 years. A lease entered into pursuant to this section shall be authorized by a resolution adopted by the affirmative votes of at least two-thirds of the members of the board, upon making an express finding that the purpose of the lease is for park or open-space purposes, or for an historic preservation, recreation, climate-resiliency, social equity, or agricultural purpose that is compatible with public use and enjoyment of the real property.

flood control district or other municipal or public corporation,

whereby the flood control district or other municipal or public corporation may be permitted to construct such works, structures, or embankments.

The legal title to all property acquired by the district under the provisions of this article shall immediately and by operation of law vest in the district, and shall be held by the district in trust for, and is dedicated and set apart for, the uses and purposes set forth in this article. The board may hold, use, acquire, manage, occupy, and possess such property, as provided in this article.

The board may take conveyances or other assurances for all property acquired by it under the provisions of this article in the name of the district, to and for the uses and purposes expressed in this article, and it may institute and maintain all

actions and proceedings, or suits at law or in equity, necessary or proper in order to carry out the provisions of this article, or to enforce, maintain, protect, or preserve all rights, privileges, and immunities created by or acquired in pursuance of this article. In all courts, actions, suits, or proceedings, the board may sue, appear, and defend, in person or by attorneys and in the name of the district.

and may be accepted at any time by the board of directors of the district.

alternative to any other procedure authorized by law.

It is the intent of the Legislature to provide a district with authority to impose special taxes. A district may impose special taxes pursuant to the procedures set forth in Article 3.5 (commencing with Section 50075) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 5 of the Government Code. In exercising that authority, a district may establish a zone or zones and a rate of tax for each zone, which is to be applied uniformly to all taxpayers within the zone. All revenue from a tax levied in a zone shall be expended in connection with land and facilities that are located in that zone, including a reasonable amount thereof allocated for general administrative

expenses of the district.

Every director and every other officer named in this article who is, in any manner interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract awarded, or to be awarded, by the board, or in the profits to be derived from such a contract, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and conviction of a person under this section shall work a forfeiture of his office.

For the purpose of acquiring, constructing, or completing any improvement or improvements authorized by this article, or for the purpose of acquiring any land or other property necessary or useful therefor, the board of directors may incur an indebtedness not to exceed 5 percent of the assessed valuation of the real and personal property situated in the district or in any zone established pursuant to Section 5566 for the purpose of levying a tax to pay all sums coming due to repay the indebtedness. The district may issue bonds for the indebtedness under and in full compliance with the provisions of Article 1 (commencing with

Section 43600) of Chapter 4 of Division 4 of Title 4 of the Government Code. The provisions of that chapter, as they may exist from time to time and insofar as they may be applicable, shall govern all district bond issues, and the board of each district is the legislative branch of the district, and authorized to do all acts and things which may be done by the legislative branch of cities, towns, and municipal corporations in the incurring of indebtedness and the issuance and sale of bonds.

Taxes for the payment of the bonds shall be levied and collected in the manner provided in this article.

The bonds issued under this section shall be signed by the president of the board and the treasurer of the district, and countersigned by the secretary. The coupons shall be signed by the treasurer. If any officers whose signatures appear on the bonds or coupons cease to be officers before the delivery of the bonds to the purchaser,

those signatures or countersignatures are, nevertheless, valid and sufficient for all purposes, the same as if the officers had remained in office until the delivery of the bonds.

For the purpose of paying all sums coming due for principal and interest on all bonds of the district, there shall be levied and collected each year a tax sufficient to pay the annual interest on such bonds and, also, that part of the principal which will become due before the time for fixing the next general tax levy. If the maturity of the indebtedness created by the issue of bonds is made to begin more than one year after the date of the issuance of the bonds, the tax shall be levied and collected each year, to pay the interest on the indebtedness as it falls due, and, also, to constitute a sinking fund for the payment of the principal on or before maturity.

The taxes in this section required to be levied and collected, shall be in addition to all other taxes levied for district purposes, and shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as other district taxes are collected, and shall be used for no purpose other than the payment of said bonds and accruing interest.

On or before the second Monday in August of each year, the county auditor of each county in which any portion of a district is located, shall transmit to the board of directors of the district and to the board of supervisors of each county in which the district is located, a statement in writing showing the total value of all real and personal property within the district and within his respective county, which value shall be ascertained from the assessment books of the county as equalized and corrected by the board of supervisors of the county.

The board of directors of the district shall, on or before the last Tuesday of August of

each year, cause to be prepared and submitted to the board of supervisors of each county in which any portion of the district is located, a detailed statement showing separately:

The board of supervisors of each county in which any part of the district is located, shall, at the time of making the general tax levy in each year, levy a tax upon all the real and personal property within the district and within their respective county at a rate sufficient to meet the proportion of taxes necessary to be raised in the county for the purpose of paying the principal and interest of the bonds and other indebtedness of the district and all other requirements of the district as shown by the estimate of the board of directors of the district. The amount of taxes to be raised in each county shall be in the same proportion as the assessed valuation of the taxable

property in the district within the county is to the assessed valuation of all property in the district.

Such taxes shall be assessed, levied, and collected at the same time and in the same manner as other county taxes are assessed, levied, and collected, and shall, when collected, be deposited with the treasurer of the district.

The boundaries of any district may be altered and new contiguous territory annexed, incorporated, and included and made a part of the district.

Where the annexation of territory to a district would otherwise be valid, except that such annexed territory was not within the boundaries of a municipal utility district organized and existing under Chapter 218 of the Statutes of 1921, or the Municipal Utility District Act, such annexation shall be valid. This section shall be applied retroactively to validate the annexation of such territory to a district as of the date that the annexation would otherwise have been valid.

described in subdivision (a) of Section 22162 of the Public Contract Code, shall not apply to the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.

subdivision (a) of Section 22162 of the Public Contract Code, shall not apply to the East Bay Regional Park District.

The bonds of any district issued pursuant to this article, are legal investments for all trust funds, and for the funds of all insurance companies, banks, both commercial and savings, and trust companies, and for the State school funds; and whenever any money or funds may by law be invested in bonds of cities, cities and counties, counties, or school districts in the State of California, such money or funds may be invested in district bonds issued in accordance with the provisions of this article; and whenever bonds of cities, cities and counties, counties, school districts, or municipalities may by law be used as security for the performance of any act, district bonds may be so

used.

All bonds issued under the provisions of this article shall have the same force, value, and use as bonds issued by any municipality in this State, and shall be free and exempt from all taxation within this State.

All matters and things necessary for the proper administration of the affairs of districts which are not provided for in this article shall be provided for by the board of directors of the district.

All contracts for furnishing supplies, materials, labor, or other valuable consideration furnished the district, for maintenance projects involving contractor services to preserve, maintain, or repair any existing building, structure, or improvement, or for constructing any new building, structure, or improvement, when the expenditures will exceed the applicable amount specified in Section 5549, shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder, after notice inviting bids, published in a newspaper in the district at least one week before the time of receiving bids. The board of directors may reject all bids and readvertise, or by a five-sevenths vote may elect

to purchase the materials or supplies in the open market, or to construct the building, structure, or improvement by force account.

This article shall be liberally construed to promote its objects and to carry out its intents and purposes.