MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Local and Private Legislation

By: Representative Gibbs

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF WEST POINT, MISSISSIPPI, TO EXPAND ITS WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM WITHIN A CERTAIN DISTANCE OUTSIDE THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF WEST POINT; TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF WEST POINT TO ACQUIRE AND ASSUME THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE STRONG HILL WATER ASSOCIATION AND TO ASSUME ALL THE LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, ASSETS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SUCH ASSOCIATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Notwithstanding any provisions of Section 21-27-39, Mississippi Code of 1972, to the contrary, the governing authorities of the City of West Point in Clay County, Mississippi, in their discretion, may construct, expand, operate and maintain the water and sewer system of the City of West Point for a distance not to exceed twenty-five (25) miles from the corporate limits of the City of West Point within Clay County, Mississippi. Whenever such water and sewer service is furnished to any consumer residing outside the corporate limits of the City of West Point, the consumer may not be charged at a rate greater than twice the rate charged for the same service within the corporate limits of the City of West Point.

(2) In connection with the construction, expansion, operation and maintenance of its water and sewer system within the area authorized under subsection (1) of this section, the governing authorities of the City of West Point may acquire by agreement, all or a portion of the Strong Hill Water Association and assume the operation and maintenance of the Strong Hill Water Association; and, in connection therewith, such governing authorities are vested with the power to assume all liabilities, obligations, assets, duties and responsibilities of such association. The city shall have such powers and authority concerning the association and its facilities as is now or hereafter granted by law to municipalities concerning water and sewer systems.

(3) The authority conferred by this act shall not be construed as an exemption from the provisions of Section 77-3-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972, as to the requirements of obtaining a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission to regulate rates or any other provision of that law.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.