AI-assisted research summary: A municipality over 500,000 people that annexes a levee improvement district gets the district’s assets and functions, and if it annexes only part of the district, the parties may arrange how powers, property, debts, and services are divided.
Sec. 43.073. ABOLITION OF, OR DIVISION OF FUNCTIONS OF, LEVEE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ANNEXED BY MUNICIPALITY WITH POPULATION OF MORE THAN 500,000. (a) This section applies to a municipality with a population of more than 500,000 that annexes all or part of the area in a levee improvement district organized under the laws of this state. (b) If the municipality annexes all the area in the district, the municipality: (1) shall take over the property and other assets of the district; (2) assumes all the debts, liabilities, and obligations of the district; and (3) shall perform all the functions of the district, including the provision of services. (c) The district is abolished on the annexation of all of its area by the municipality. The abolition of the district does not impair or otherwise affect a contract between the district and a flood control district or other governmental agency for the operation or maintenance of levees or other flood control works, but the municipality assumes the rights and obligations of the district under the contract. On the annexation of all of the area of the district, the municipality may refund, in whole or in part, any outstanding bonded indebtedness and may provide for a sufficient sinking fund to meet any refunding bonds issued. (d) If the municipality annexes only part of the area in the district, the governing bodies of the municipality and the district may make contracts relating to the division and allocation between themselves of their duplicate and overlapping powers, duties, and other functions and relating to the use, management, control, purchase, conveyance, assumption, and disposition of the property and other assets, debts, liabilities, and obligations of the district. The amount of taxes levied by the district against a parcel of real estate subsequently annexed by the municipality shall be credited against any property taxes levied against the parcel by the municipality. (e) If the municipality annexes only part of the area in the district, the district may contract with the municipality for the municipal operation of the district's utility systems and other property and for the transfer, conveyance, or sale of those systems and that property, regardless of kind or location inside or outside municipal boundaries, to the municipality on terms to which the governing bodies of the district and municipality agree. That operating contract may extend for a period, not to exceed 30 years, stipulated in the contract and is subject to amendment, renewal, or termination by the mutual consent of the governing bodies. The contract may not impair the obligation of another contract of the municipality or district. In the absence of such a contract, the district may continue to exercise, unaffected by the annexation, the powers, duties, and other functions granted or imposed on the district by law. The municipality may not be required to perform any drainage functions in the district. The municipality may, with the consent of the district, construct and maintain drainage facilities in the district that are consistent with the reclamation plan of the district. The municipality may perform all other municipal functions that the municipality is authorized to perform and that the district is not engaged in performing nor authorized to perform. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 597, Sec. 82, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.