The board of directors of each drainage district may take several actions to manage the district, including setting boundaries, clearing watercourse obstructions, levying a limited annual tax, issuing bonds within a cap, and taking related legal and construction steps.
24-512. Powers of district. The board of directors of every drainage district incorporated under the provisions of K.S.A. 24-501 et seq., and amendments thereto, shall have the power: (1) To adopt a seal. (2) To determine and fix the district boundaries. (3) To remove all obstructions from the channel of the watercourse. (4) To commence and maintain suits against any and all persons or corporations unlawfully maintaining dams or other obstructions in the channel of the watercourse to compel the removal of the same. (5) To exercise the power of eminent domain as to all lands necessary to the construction of cutoffs, spillways and auxiliary channels in accordance with K.S.A. 26-501 to 26-516, inclusive, and amendments thereto. (6) To require that all bridges across the watercourses shall be of sufficient length or that they shall be provided with sufficient trestle work to permit the unobstructed flow of the waters at flood time. (7) To construct cutoffs, spillways and auxiliary channels across railroads and highways, to compel the adequate bridging of the same and to compel the raising of the grades of the railroads and highways. (8) To levy an annual tax not to exceed five mills on the assessed value of all tangible taxable property located within the district to constitute a general fund to meet the incidental expenses of the district. If the board determines that a higher tax levy limit is necessary, it may adopt a resolution proposing to raise the limitation. Any proposed increase of the levy limitation shall be submitted for approval by the qualified voters of the drainage district. The election shall be called and held in the manner provided by the general bond law. If a majority of the voters voting on the question votes in favor thereof, the levy limitation may be increased. (9) To issue bonds and to provide for the payment of the same. The whole amount of the bonds issued shall not exceed 50% of the assessed value of all lands and other real property within the district. (10) To sue and be sued, and to perform any and all other acts not inconsistent with the provisions of K.S.A. 24-501 et seq., and amendments thereto, nor with the laws of the state of Kansas necessary to the accomplishment of the purposes stated in K.S.A. 24-501. History: L. 1911, ch. 170, § 12; L. 1919, ch. 187, § 1; L. 1921, ch. 179, § 1; R.S. 1923, 24-512; L. 1963, ch. 226, § 1; L. 1963, ch. 234, § 61; L. 1983, ch. 118, § 11; July 1.