ENTITLED, An Act to clarify, remove inconsistencies from, and revise certain provisions relating
to the formation and operation of watershed districts.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
Section 1. That § 6-16-2 be amended to read as follows:
6-16-2. The application for organization shall be a petition verified by one or more circulators
by affidavit stating that each affiant personally witnessed the signatures on the petition and believe
the signatures to be genuine. Except as provided in this section, the petition shall be signed by at
least twenty-five percent of the registered voters within the proposed district. If the proposed district
is in two or more counties, a petition shall be filed in each county and each petition shall be signed
by at least twenty-five percent of the registered voters within the proposed district in that county. The
petition shall be accompanied by a deposit covering the estimated costs as determined by the county
auditor of the public notices and the conduct of the election for the formation of the district. The
county auditor may waive the deposit or payment requirement or may specify other arrangements
for payment of the publication and election costs. If the district to be formed is a road district that
contains no registered voters, the petition shall be signed by at least twenty-five percent of the
landowners of the district. If the district to be formed is a watershed district, the petition shall be
signed by at least twenty-five percent of the eligible voters of the district as defined in section 18 of
this Act and as provided in § 46A-14-5. If the district to be formed is a water project district, any
petition required by this section shall be signed by qualified voters of the proposed district, as
defined in §§ 46A-18-2.1 and 46A-18-2.2, in the appropriate county.
Section 2. That § 6-16-5 be amended to read as follows:
6-16-5. If the proposed district contains less than one thousand eligible voters as defined in § 6-16-6, the county auditor shall set a date, time, and location for a meeting to be held within the
district, or at the county seat of any county in which a portion of the proposed district is located, to
conduct an election on the question of formation of the special district. The date may not be more
than sixty days after the appropriate board declares that the application for incorporation is valid. The
auditor shall appoint three judges of election, one of whom shall serve as the superintendent, to
conduct the election. The vote upon the question of incorporation shall be by ballot which conforms
to a ballot for a statewide question except that the statement required to be printed on the ballot shall
be prepared by the state's attorney. After the vote is cast and counted, the judges shall prepare a
certification showing the whole number of ballots cast, together with the number voting for and the
number voting against incorporation, and shall return the certification to the county auditor. If a
majority, or if it is a water project district at least sixty percent, of the votes cast on the question of
formation is in favor, an election shall be conducted by those present at the same meeting to elect
the initial board of directors or trustees.
Section 3. That § 6-16-5.1 be amended to read as follows:
6-16-5.1. If the proposed district contains one thousand or more eligible voters as defined in § 6-16-6, the county auditor shall set a date for an election to be held within the district, or at the county
seat of any county in which a portion of the proposed district is located, on the question of formation
of the special district. The date may not be more than sixty days after the appropriate board declares
that the application for incorporation is valid. The election shall be conducted pursuant to Title 12.
The vote upon the question of incorporation shall be by ballot which conforms to a ballot for a
statewide question except that the statement required to be printed on the ballot shall be prepared by
the state's attorney. The election shall be canvassed by the county commission.
Section 4. That § 6-16-6 be amended to read as follows:
6-16-6. Any person who is registered to vote and resides in the proposed district may vote in the
elections provided for in § 6-16-5. However, the qualifications of a voter for irrigation district
elections are as provided in chapter 46A-4, the qualifications of a voter for water project district
elections are as provided in §§ 46A-18-2.1 and 46A-18-2.2, and the qualifications of a voter for
watershed district elections are as provided in section 18 of this Act. Absentee voting is allowed
pursuant to chapter 12-19 for the election on the question of formation of the special district or any
other question to be voted on by the eligible voters of the district. If the district to be formed is a road
district that contains no registered voters, voter eligibility is based solely on landowners. For the
purpose of this section, a person resides in a proposed district if the person actually lives in the
proposed district for at least thirty days in the last year.
Section 5. That § 46A-14-2 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-2. Terms used in this chapter mean:
(1) "Conservation district," a conservation district established in accordance with state law;
(2) "District," a proposed or existing watershed district as provided in this chapter;
(3) "Engineer," an engineer designated by the managers to act as the engineer of the district;
(4) "Hearing," a hearing scheduled and conducted by either the board of managers,
conservation districts, or the Board of Water and Natural Resources, during which all
interested parties shall be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard;
(5) "Initiating petition," a petition as provided in this chapter for the creation or modification
of a watershed district;
(6) "Interested party," any public corporation or any person having an interest in the subject
matter pending or involved and including the designated representative or any agency of
government;
(7) "Landowner," any owner of land, as evidenced by records in the offices of the register of
deeds and the clerk of courts in the county containing a proposed or existing watershed
district. If land is sold under a contract for deed that is of record in the office of the
register of deeds in the county in which the land is situated, both the landowner and the
individual purchaser of the land, as named in the contract for deed, are treated as a
landowner;
(8) "Managers," the board of managers of a watershed district;
(9) "Person," a natural person, firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, or
corporation, but not a public or political subdivision;
(10) "Public corporation," a county, municipality, school district, or a political subdivision of
the state, other than a watershed district; and
(11) "Work" or "works," any construction, maintenance, repairs, or improvements of a
watershed district.
Section 6. That § 46A-14-3 be repealed.
Section 7. That § 46A-14-4 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-4. A watershed district may be established for any of the following conservation
purposes:
(1) Control or allocation of damage by floods by flood prevention structures including levees;
(2) Improvement of stream channels;
(3) Reclaiming or filling wet and overflowed lands;
(4) Providing water supply for irrigation;
(5) Regulating the flow and conserving the water of streams;
(6) Diverting or changing watercourses in whole or in part;
(7) Providing and conserving water supply for domestic, industrial, recreational, and other
public use;
(8) Providing for sanitation and public health and regulating the use of streams, ditches, or
watercourses for the disposition of waste;
(9) Relocate, extend, replace, modify, consolidate, or abandon in whole or in part, drainage
systems within a watershed district and to operate and maintain drainage systems;
(10) Imposition of preventive or remedial measures for the control or alleviation of land and
soil erosion and siltation of watercourses or bodies of water affected by erosion;
(11) Protection or enhancement of the water quality in watercourses or water basins;
(12) Protection of groundwater; and
(13) Improvement, restoration, and maintenance of lakes, streams, and wetlands.
Section 8. That chapter 46A-14 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as
follows:
The State Conservation Commission shall perform the following functions and duties with
respect to watershed projects:
(1) Review proposed applications for watershed planning assistance under the Federal
Watershed and Flood Prevention Act (P.L. 566, 83rd Congress), as amended to January 1,
2013;
(2) Develop policies and procedures for processing such applications in accordance with state
law and policies;
(3) Conduct field examination of watersheds with all state and federal agencies and other
groups having an interest in development of watersheds;
(4) Determine physical feasibility of proposals for watershed projects;
(5) Recommend priorities for watershed planning assistance under federal P. L. 566;
(6) Make recommendations concerning all applications for planning assistance under federal
P. L. 566, to the Board of Water and Natural Resources for consideration in official
actions on behalf of the State of South Dakota;
(7) Assist, counsel, and advise conservation district supervisors in the organization of
watershed districts under this chapter;
(8) Assist conservation districts within limits of appropriations and personnel with
installation and maintenance of the land treatment phase of watershed projects.
The Board of Water and Natural Resources is hereby designated the state agency to act on behalf
of the State of South Dakota with respect to watershed projects in order to fulfill the provisions of
the Federal Watershed and Flood Prevention Act (P.L. 566, 83rd Congress), as amended to
January 1, 2013.
Section 9. That § 46A-14-5 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-5. Any proceeding for the establishment of a watershed district shall be initiated by the
filing of an initiating petition with each conservation district in which the proposed watershed district
is located. The initiating petition shall be as provided in § 6-16-2. If the proposed watershed district
includes land in more than one conservation district, the supervisors of each such conservation
district shall act jointly as a board of supervisors on all matters concerning the watershed district that
are specified in this chapter for a single conservation district.
An official of any municipality authorized by resolution of the governing body may sign the
petition on behalf of the municipality if land located within the boundaries of the municipality is to
be included in the watershed district. The petition need not be signed by any of the property owners
of the municipality.
Section 10. That § 46A-14-6 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-6. The boundaries of a watershed district may be entirely within or partly within a county
or conservation district and may include the whole or any part of one or more counties or
conservation districts. The land ownerships embraced within a watershed district shall be contiguous.
If feasible, the district shall include all territory within the affected watershed or drainage basin, or
all territory from which the water from natural or artificial channels finds its outlet through a main
stream or channel. However, if the ownership of a parcel of land is not a matter of record in the
office of the register of deeds of the county in which the land is situated, or if a parcel of land is not
subject to payment of taxes or special assessments, the land may be excluded from a proposed or
existing watershed district.
Section 11. That § 46A-14-7 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-7. In order to carry out the powers granted to municipalities by the provisions of § 9-36-15, the governing body of a municipality may request that all or any portion of the corporate area of
a municipality be included in a watershed district if, in the determination of the governing body,
inclusion in a new or existing watershed district offers opportunities favorable to the municipality:
(1) For alleviation of flood water damages to roads, streets, waterworks, sewer works, river
and stream improvements, public or private property, or other improvements within the
municipality; or
(2) In lieu of or betterment of or supplementary to improvements by the municipality as may
be under consideration by the governing body; or
(3) To take advantage of federal or other loans, as provided by § 9-43-137, or federal or other
grants of funds or service; or
(4) To reduce capital investments or other obligations by the municipality which may be
otherwise probable; or
(5) For betterment of the health, safety, or general welfare of the residents of the municipality.
Section 12. That § 46A-14-8 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-8. The initiating petition shall contain the following:
(1) The name of the proposed district;
(2) A statement that there is need in the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare for
creation of a district to accomplish improvements in the watershed;
(3) A statement in general terms setting forth the purposes of the contemplated
improvements, the territory to be included in the district, and all proposed subdivisions,
if any, of the district;
(4) The number of and names of the initial board of managers of the proposed district, the
provisions of §§ 6-16-5 and 6-16-5.2 notwithstanding. The initial managers shall serve
for a period of one year or until the first annual meeting. The petition shall specify
whether the board consists of three or five members. The managers shall be eligible voters
of the proposed district or the designee of an eligible voter as provided in section 18 of
this Act. However, no manager may be a public officer of the state or federal government;
(5) A map and legal description of the lands constituting the proposed district and the name
of any municipality included partly or wholly within the boundaries of the proposed
district; and
(6) The location of the official place of business of the proposed district.
Section 13. That § 46A-14-10 be repealed.
Section 14. That § 46A-14-11 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-11. Upon receipt of the initiating petition by the conservation district, its supervisors
shall:
(1) Acknowledge receipt of the petition;
(2) Determine, by working in cooperation with the auditor of each county in which a portion
of the proposed district is located, whether the petition contains sufficient signatures as
required by § 6-16-2;
(3) Prepare a preliminary report based upon the initiating petition, and other available data,
stating the feasibility and practicability of the proposed improvement and organization of
the district, for the purpose of presentation by the conservation district supervisors at
hearings as provided in this chapter;
(4) Adjust, as necessary, and fix the boundaries of the proposed district.
Section 15. That § 46A-14-12 be repealed.
Section 16. That § 46A-14-13 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-13. If the conservation district supervisors and county auditors determine that a sufficient
initiating petition has been filed, the conservation district supervisors shall within ten days,
thereafter, by their order, fix a time and place, for a hearing on the petition. Notice of the hearing
shall be given by the conservation district supervisors by publication once each week for at least two
consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the area covered by the proposed district.
The last notice shall occur within ten days before the hearing and shall contain the following:
(1) A statement that an initiating petition has been filed with the conservation district
supervisors and a copy of the petition with the county auditor of each affected county;
(2) A general description of the purpose of the contemplated improvement and the territory
to be included in the proposed district;
(3) The date, time, and place of hearing;
(4) A statement that all persons affected by the petition or interested in the petition may
appear and be heard.
Section 17. That § 46A-14-15 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-15. After the hearing, if it appears to the conservation district supervisors that public
interest in the conservation of the natural resources within the proposed watershed district, including
wildlife, water resources, forests, and soils, will be served and protected; that the engineering and
economic practicability of creating a district will be sound and feasible, when considered in relation
to the public interest; and the resulting cost to the owners of the property to be assessed and that the
purpose of this chapter would be served by the creation of a watershed district, the conservation
district supervisors shall order a vote to be taken to determine whether a watershed district should
be organized. The conservation district supervisors shall file a copy of the election order and a copy
of the initiating petition with the county auditor of each county in which a portion of the proposed
watershed district will be located. The election shall be conducted in accordance with the applicable
provisions of §§ 6-16-2 to 6-16-6, inclusive.
Section 18. That chapter 46A-14 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as
follows:
For purposes of this chapter, the term, eligible voter, has the meaning specified in this section.
Only persons or public corporations that are landowners of land located within the proposed or
existing watershed district are eligible to vote in the formation election or any subsequent election
of a watershed district, except as provided in this chapter. An eligible voter may reside within or
outside the district. Any firm, partnership, limited liability company, association, estate, or
corporation that holds title to land located within the proposed or existing watershed district is
entitled to one vote and may designate an officer or agent to vote on its behalf by presenting a written
instrument to that effect to the election officials. The vote of any eligible voter who is a minor or a
protected person as defined by § 29A-5-102, may be cast by the parent, conservator, or legal
representative of the minor or protected person. Any municipality that has been included in the
watershed district pursuant to §§ 46A-14-5 or 46A-14-7 is entitled to one vote which may be cast
by a representative designated by the municipality's governing body.
Section 19. That § 46A-14-16 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-16. If the initiating petition is signed by sixty percent or more of the eligible voters in
a proposed district who own at least sixty percent of the land in the proposed district, the petition
may be accepted by the conservation district supervisors in lieu of the favorable vote at a referendum
as specified in § 46A-14-26 and the referendum specified in § 46A-14-15 is not required.
Section 20. That § 46A-14-17 be repealed.
Section 21. That § 46A-14-26 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-26. If sixty percent or more of the votes cast at the referendum are in favor of the
formation of the watershed district, then the conservation district supervisors shall proceed in its
organization. If the proposition to form a watershed district is defeated at the referendum, the
proposition may again be proposed in the same manner as the original proposal through initiating
petition and subsequent procedure.
Section 22. That § 46A-14-27 be repealed.
Section 23. That § 46A-14-28 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-28. Upon certification of a favorable petition or vote, the conservation district
supervisors shall establish and create the watershed district and give it a corporate name. A
watershed district created under the provisions of this chapter has perpetual existence unless
dissolved or abolished as provided for in this chapter. The supervisors shall file a certified copy of
their findings and order with the secretary of state, at which time the watershed district becomes a
political subdivision of the state, with the authority, powers, and duties as prescribed in this chapter.
The supervisors shall serve copies of the findings and order upon each of the watershed district
managers by certified or registered mail.
Section 24. That § 46A-14-29 be repealed.
Section 25. That § 46A-14-31 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-31. A watershed district may annex additional areas, if the additional areas constitute
a watershed as specified for a watershed district in § 46A-14-6. The annexation shall be
accomplished by either:
(1) An initiating petition for the annexation by the eligible voters in the new area and in the
existing watershed district, similar to the initiating petition specified in §§ 46A-14-5 and
46A-14-8; or
(2) An initiating petition by the eligible voters in the new area and a resolution by the
managers of the watershed district.
Upon receipt of the initiating petition and the resolution by the managers, the appropriate
conservation district supervisors shall proceed with the annexation in the same manner as prescribed
for creation of a new watershed district.
Section 26. That § 46A-14-34 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-34. A watershed district created under the provisions of this chapter, to the extent
necessary for lawful purposes as provided in this chapter, may:
(1) Sue and be sued;
(2) Incur debts, liabilities, and obligations;
(3) Exercise the power of eminent domain only if it is necessary to carry out an approved
plan;
(4) Levy a tax not to exceed one dollar per thousand dollars of taxable valuation against the
landowners' land and buildings as provided in this chapter;
(5) Provide for other taxes and assessments;
(6) Borrow money and issue certificates, warrants, and bonds;
(7) Make surveys or use other reliable surveys and data and develop projects to accomplish
the purposes for which the district is organized;
(8) Cooperate or contract with any individual, person, state, state agency, political subdivision
of a state, federal agency, or private or public corporation;
(9) Construct, clean, repair, alter, abandon, consolidate, reclaim, or change the course or
terminus of any public ditch, drain sewer, river, watercourse, natural or artificial, within
the district, in cooperation with other agencies having prior jurisdiction;
(10) Acquire, lease, operate, construct, and maintain dams, dikes, reservoirs, and pertinent
works;
(11) Acquire by gift, lease, purchase, or eminent domain necessary real and personal property;
(12) Contract for purchase of insurance for protection of the district as necessary;
(13) Establish and maintain devices for acquiring and recording hydrological data;
(14) Enter into all contracts of construction authorized by this chapter; and
(15) Perform all acts expressly authorized in this chapter and all other acts necessary and
proper for carrying out and exercising the powers expressly vested in the district.
Section 27. That § 46A-14-35 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-35. Within thirty days after the establishment of the watershed district, the managers
shall meet at the designated principal place of business of the district and shall take and subscribe
the oath as defined in the Constitution of South Dakota. These oaths shall be filed with the
conservation district which contains the majority of the lands of the district.
Section 28. That § 46A-14-36 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-36. The managers shall then organize by electing one of their members chair and one
vice chair. The managers shall appoint a secretary-treasurer, who is not a member of the board of
managers, and whose compensation and bond shall be set by the managers. The managers shall
provide the necessary books, records, furniture, and equipment for the conduct and transaction of
the district's official business.
Section 29. That § 46A-14-37 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-37. Before May first of each year, on dates established by the managers, an annual
meeting of the district shall be held during which the eligible voters of the district shall elect, by
ballot, under the direction of the secretary of the district, managers to replace those whose terms have
expired. At the first annual election, if the board of managers has three members, one shall be elected
for one year, one for two years, and one for three years, and thereafter one shall be elected annually
for three years. If the board of managers has five members, at the first annual meeting one shall be
elected for three years, two shall be elected for two years, and two shall be elected for one year, and
thereafter at the annual meeting the terms of those expired, shall be elected for three years.
Section 30. That § 46A-14-38 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-38. Candidates for the board of managers shall file their written applications with the
secretary of the board of managers at least thirty days before the election. All managers and
candidates shall be eligible voters of the district or designees of eligible voters as provided in section
18 of this Act. Eligible voters residing within or outside the district may vote in person or by
absentee ballot.
Section 31. That § 46A-14-41 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-41. The managers may appoint or employ an engineer, professional assistants, and such
other employees as may be necessary, and provide for their qualification, duties, and compensation,
which, with all other expenses may be included as a part of the cost of a project or improvement. The
managers may require any officer or employee of the district to give a bond for the faithful
performance of his or her duties, in an amount prescribed by the managers. The cost of the bond shall
be paid from funds of the district.
Section 32. That § 46A-14-43.1 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-43.1. In addition to the procedures provided in § 46A-14-43 for adopting watershed
district bylaws, bylaws may be proposed by petition of twenty-five percent of the eligible voters of
the district. The proposed bylaws shall be adopted if approved by the board of managers of the
watershed district and if at least sixty percent of the votes cast in a special election on the issue are
in favor of adopting the proposed bylaws.
Section 33. That § 46A-14-44 be repealed.
Section 34. That § 46A-14-47 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-47. The managers shall within a reasonable length of time after qualifying, adopt an
overall plan for improvements within the district for reclamation, drainage, erosion, and flood
control, and improvement of lands, soils, waters, forests, wildlife, and all other authorized purposes.
The plan finally adopted shall be made in conjunction with the advisory committee established
pursuant to § 46A-14-40 and in consultation with the district supervisors of each conservation
district in the watershed district, but the managers have final authority and full responsibility. This
plan shall be designated the general improvement plan for the watershed district. The general
improvement plan shall consist of a map showing the area to be benefited; the location of the
proposed works of improvement; the location of buildings, roads, streams, and other topographic
features as are pertinent to show the relation of the proposed works of improvement to the area of
the district; and a narrative in which are stated the estimated benefits that will result and the proposed
method of financing and accomplishing the work to be done. Upon receipt of a copy of the general
improvement plan, the Board of Water and Natural Resources shall examine the plan and within
thirty days transmit a report of their recommendations to the managers.
Before formation of a watershed district, requests for planning assistance, development of
watershed work plans, and similar considerations may be undertaken by steering committees of local
people with sponsoring assistance by conservation districts as permitted under state law and in
accordance with federal laws. Such plans may be considered as the preliminary general improvement
plan until the final general improvement plan is adopted as provided in this section.
Section 35. That § 46A-14-49 be repealed.
Section 36. That § 46A-14-50 be repealed.
Section 37. That § 46A-14-51 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-51. The managers shall carefully examine the plans and hold hearings on the proposals
in the plans. By resolution, the managers shall resolve whether the proposed work, or any part of the
proposed work, should be accomplished and whether its cost shall be paid by a general tax levy
against all taxable landowners' land and buildings located within the district, or by special
assessment against the landowners' lands and buildings within the district to be specially benefited
by the project, or by both general tax levy and special assessment and the portion to be paid by each.
The managers shall prepare a description of each tract of benefited land and shall list the names of
the owners of the benefited land as shown by the county tax records, which document shall be on
file in the district office and available for public inspection during regular business hours. The
managers shall also determine in the resolution whether to issue improvement bonds of the district,
or other authorized arrangement, to provide for the payment of the cost of the project by installments
instead of levying the entire tax or special assessment at one time.
Section 38. That § 46A-14-52 be repealed.
Section 39. That § 46A-14-54 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-54. Upon adoption of the resolution as provided in § 46A-14-51, the managers shall
publish the resolution and a notice of hearing once each week for three consecutive weeks
immediately preceding the hearing in a legal newspaper of general circulation in each county in
which land of the district is located. The notice shall state the time and place for the hearing and state
that the managers will meet for the purpose of hearing all parties interested in the apportionment of
benefits by reason of the proposed improvements. The notice shall state that all such interested
parties may provide testimony at the hearing in person, or by counsel, or may file written testimony.
The managers shall conduct the hearing and shall make the apportionments fair and just according
to benefits received from the improvements and give due credit for the work already done.
Section 40. That § 46A-14-55 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-55. For purposes of implementing the general plan of improvements, no construction
or related commitments requiring district payments may be entered into, no taxes or assessments
levied, no bonds issued, or other financing arrangement made relating to the general plan of
improvements, unless the managers have initiated adequate hearings to clearly demonstrate the
works proposed for construction and the benefits to accrue from the proposed works and have
conducted a referendum in accordance with this chapter in which at least sixty percent of the eligible
voters voting in the referendum vote in favor of the tax levy, bond issue, or other permissible
financing arrangement. The hearing and referendum requirements specified in this section do not
apply to taxes or other financing arrangements for operations, maintenance , or other district business
as provided in §§ 46A-14-58 and 46A-14-69.
Section 41. That § 46A-14-56 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-56. In the referendum, as provided in § 46A-14-55, the same eligibility to vote as
prescribed by section 18 of this Act shall govern in the case of proposed general tax levies. If special
assessments are proposed, the votes of only those landowners subject to the special assessments may
be counted. If the financing proposal provides for both general tax levies and special assessments,
the votes applicable to the general tax and the votes applicable to the special assessments shall be
counted separately and accepted separately for purposes of determining the outcome of the
referendum.
Section 42. That § 46A-14-57 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-57. In lieu of tax or special assessment levies in municipalities, the managers and the
governing boards of municipalities may enter into contracts for annual payments by the municipality
to the district. The governing boards shall include amounts sufficient to cover the annual payments
to the district in the annual appropriations of the municipalities. If contractual commitments between
a district and a municipality are to meet in part obligations imposed by a contract or other agreement
between the district and an agency of the United States, the commitments on behalf of a municipality
shall be a continuing annual obligation during the life of the contract between the district and the
United States in the same manner as though the municipality had entered into the contract or
agreement with the United States under provisions of § 9-36-15 or 9-43-137. In no case may the
governing board of a municipality execute a contract or agreement with the managers of a district
until a favorable vote by the voters of the municipality has been obtained in order that claims for
payment may be paid by the municipality under provisions of § 9-42-2.
Section 43. That § 46A-14-58 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-58. After completing the apportionment of benefits and the referendum pursuant to
§§ 46A-14-54 and 46A-14-55 for purposes of implementing the general plan of improvements, the
managers shall prepare and by resolution approve the tax or assessment levy against landowner's land
and buildings outside of the corporate limits of municipalities and shall file a detailed report of the
tax or assessment levy with the appropriate county auditor. In addition, the managers shall prepare
and by resolution approve the tax or assessment levy for operations, maintenance, and other district
business as provided in § 46A-14-69 and file a detailed report of the tax or assessment levy with the
appropriate county auditor. The county auditor shall spread the district levy upon the county tax rolls
and collect the district levy in the same manner as other county taxes.
Section 44. That § 46A-14-60 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-60. When adopting a financing plan or levying taxes to cover the estimated costs of
district business, including costs relating to implementing the general plan of improvements, as
provided in §§ 46A-14-51 and 46A-14-54 to 46A-14-59, inclusive, and operations and maintenance
expense as provided in § 46A-14-66 to 46A-14-69, inclusive, no annual general tax levy against
taxable land and buildings within the district may exceed the amount that can be collected by a one-mill levy. This limitation does not apply to special assessments nor to assessments required to meet
payments, including interest, on district bonds.
Section 45. That § 46A-14-65 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-65. The managers may amend the general plan of improvements or adopt a supplemental
plan of improvements by using, as applicable, the same provisions and procedures in §§ 46A-14-47
to 46A-14-58, inclusive, that were used to establish the initial plan of improvements. The managers
may call a special election and submit to the eligible voters of the district the question of whether
additional taxes or special assessment shall be levied for the purpose of raising money to cover
increased costs resulting from an amended or supplemental plan of improvements which are over
and above the initial plan of improvements.
Section 46. That § 46A-14-66 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-66. Once projects from the general plan of improvements are constructed, the managers
shall provide for adequate annual maintenance of the watershed project works. They shall adopt an
overall project schedule of routine operation and maintenance. They shall prepare annual operation
and maintenance budgets for the following calendar year in which is stated the operation and
maintenance work to be done during the budget year and the estimated cost.
Section 47. That § 46A-14-69 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-69. Tax or special assessment levies in amount sufficient to cover the budgeted operation
and maintenance expense for district projects and works as provided in § 46A-14-66 and other
district operations and expenses shall be included by the managers in their tax assessment list as
provided in § 46A-14-58, if the levies do not exceed the limitations specified in this chapter or do
not exceed the amounts of taxes or special assessments voted favorably by the voters of the district.
Section 48. That § 46A-14-70 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-70. The board of managers of a watershed district shall at the time of the organization
of the board and annually thereafter on a date established by the district, but before the first of
October, adopt a budget and prepare an operations and budget report. The report shall present
estimates and itemizations of all the expenses and obligations of the water development district.
Before approval of the budget by the district board of managers, a public hearing shall be held.
Notice of the hearing shall be published once each week for two successive weeks in the watershed
district's official newspapers. With the first notice, the budget shall be published in a form approved
by the auditor general. At the conclusion of the hearing, the board of managers may eliminate or
amend any portion of the budget before adoption.
On or before the first day of October in each year and after the watershed district's budget
hearing, the managers shall certify to the county auditor of the county in which the land is located,
all taxes and assessments against the landowners' lands and buildings in the district. Extension of
the taxes and assessments upon the tax and assessment lists shall be made as specified in § 46A-14-58. The taxes and assessments shall be collected in the same manner as other county taxes and
assessments, and shall be deposited with the secretary-treasurer of the watershed district, who shall
place them in the depository designated by the managers. The taxes and assessments shall be
disbursed according to § 46A-14-75.
Section 49. That § 46A-14-73 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-73. The managers may enter into contracts or other arrangements with any agency of the
United States government; with persons, railroads, or other corporations; with public and municipal
corporations and the state government of this state; or with drainage, soil and water conservation,
conservancy, sewer, park, sanitary, reclamation, public power, public power and irrigation,
watershed, or other improvement districts, in this or other states, for cooperation, or assistance in
constructing, maintaining, using, and operating the works of the districts, the waters of the districts,
or in minimizing or preventing damage to the properties, works, and improvements of the districts
from soil erosion; or for making surveys and investigations or reports on the surveys and
investigations. However no contract or agreement for purposes of implementing the general plan of
improvements that will require the levy of increased taxes or assessments may be signed by the
managers without submitting the increased taxes or assessments to the eligible voters of the
watershed district for approval.
Section 50. That § 46A-14-77 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-77. The engineer of the district shall make a full report to the managers each year or
more often if necessary. At the end of each year the secretary-treasurer shall make a report to the
managers. The managers shall annually make and file a report of financial conditions of the district,
the status of all projects and work, the business transacted by the district, and other matters affecting
the interests of the district.
Section 51. That § 46A-14-78 be repealed.
Section 52. That § 46A-14-79 be repealed.
Section 53. That § 46A-14-79.1 be repealed.
Section 54. That § 46A-14-81 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-81. After a watershed district has been in existence for at least five years and contains
a federal watershed project that has not been certified infeasible by the state conservationist of the
United States Natural Resources Conservation Service, whenever twenty-five percent of the eligible
voters of the district petition the managers to call a special election to submit to the eligible voters
of the watershed district a proposition to vote on the discontinuance of the watershed district and a
settlement of its bonded and other indebtedness, the managers shall call a special election for those
purposes and shall publish notice of the election in a legal newspaper of general circulation in the
county or counties in the watershed district once each week for three consecutive publications. The
notice shall state that an election is to be held to determine whether the watershed district should be
dissolved. The ballots shall read as follows:
For dissolution of (Name) Watershed District ()
Against dissolution of (Name) Watershed District ()
Section 55. That § 46A-14-84 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-84. A watershed district board may request that the state conservationist of the United
States Natural Resources Conservation Service certify a federal project as infeasible. If the project
is certified as infeasible, the district board may proceed to dissolve the district under the provisions
outlined in §§ 46A-14-85 to 46A-14-90, inclusive.
Section 56. That § 46A-14-85 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-85. If a watershed district's federal project is certified as infeasible, the district board
may vote to dissolve the district. If a majority of board members vote for dissolution, a written
statement of intent to dissolve the district shall be submitted to the State Conservation Commission
for approval.
Section 57. That § 46A-14-86 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-86. Before action by the State Conservation Commission as provided in § 46A-14-85,
a public hearing open to all eligible voters in the watershed district shall be held by the commission
to determine public feeling within the district. The district board may conduct an informal vote to
determine voter opinion on dissolution if the board feels a vote is necessary. Notice of the meeting
shall be published by the watershed district board in the major newspaper in the district at least once
a week for at least two weeks before the meeting.
Section 58. That § 46A-14-87 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-87. After the public hearing required by § 46-14-86, the State Conservation Commission
shall determine whether the proposed dissolution is to be allowed. In making its determination, the
commission shall consider written and verbal reports by the watershed district board, the public
attitude displayed at the public hearing, and all other information the members of the commission
deem relevant. At least one watershed district board member shall be present at the commission
meeting to testify.
Section 59. That § 46A-14-88 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-88. If the members of the State Conservation Commission choose to approve a
watershed district dissolution, the dissolution is effective thirty days from the date of the commission
meeting. Notice of the dissolution of a watershed district shall be sent to the secretary of state.
Section 60. That § 46A-14-89 be amended to read as follows:
46A-14-89. All funds and assets of a dissolved watershed district shall be divided among all
conservation districts lying at least partially within the dissolved district. The funds and assets shall
be apportioned on the basis of each conservation district's land area in areas within the dissolved
district. The requirements of this section relating to the division and apportionment of watershed
district funds and assets do not apply to any watershed district that is abolished pursuant to § 46A-14-33 in conjunction with combining the watershed district with another watershed district or
annexing additional areas to the watershed district.
Section 61. That § 46A-14-90 be repealed.
Section 62. That § 46A-14-92 be repealed.
An Act to clarify, remove inconsistencies from, and revise certain provisions relating to the
formation and operation of watershed districts.
=========================
I certify that the attached Act
originated in the
SENATE as Bill No. 153
____________________________
Secretary of the Senate
=========================
____________________________
President of the Senate
____________________________
Secretary of the Senate
____________________________
Speaker of the House
____________________________
Chief Clerk
Senate Bill No. 153
File No. ____
Chapter No. ______
|
|
=========================
Received at this Executive Office
this _____ day of _____________ ,
20____ at ____________ M.
By _________________________
for the Governor
=========================
The attached Act is hereby
approved this ________ day of
______________ , A.D., 20___
____________________________
Governor
=========================
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA,
ss.
Office of the Secretary of State
Filed ____________ , 20___
at _________ o'clock __ M.
____________________________
Secretary of State
By _________________________
Asst. Secretary of State
|