MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Conservation and Water Resources; Ways and Means

By: Representative Ellington

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE ANY MEMBER COUNTY TO WITHDRAW FROM THE PEARL RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT; TO REQUIRE A WITHDRAWING COUNTY TO PAY ITS PORTION OF BONDS, CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS, AND OTHER INDEBTEDNESS AND LIABILITIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 51-11-8, Mississippi Code of 1972:

51-11-8. Beginning July 1, 1999, the board of supervisors of any county that is included in the Pearl River Basin Development District may elect to withdraw that county from the district. The withdrawing county shall be responsible for paying its portion of any district bonds, contractual obligations, and any other indebtedness and liabilities of the district that are outstanding on the date of the county's withdrawal from the district. The withdrawing county's portion of the liabilities, obligations and indebtedness shall be determined through an independent audit conducted by a certified public accountant. The board of supervisors of the withdrawing county shall provide the sum that is required by this section either by appropriation from any available funds of the county or by levy. The board of supervisors may borrow funds as needed to satisfy the withdrawing county's portion of the liabilities, obligations and indebtedness of the district as required by this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.