The board must set and charge fees for facility use, and the fees must be equal, uniform, and high enough to cover operating and maintenance costs and required debt service.
Sec. 321.075. FEES AND REVENUE. (a) In this section, "fee" includes any fee, charge, or toll. (b) The expense of operation and maintenance of facilities the revenues of which are pledged to the payment of bonds are a first lien on and charge against the income of the facilities. While any of the bonds or interest remains outstanding, the board shall charge or require the payment of fees for the use of the facilities. The board shall determine the rate of fees charged by it for the use, operation, or lease of the facilities. Fees must be equal and uniform within the classes defined by the board and must be in amounts that will yield revenues at least sufficient to pay the expenses of operation and maintenance and to make the payment prescribed in the order for debt service. "Debt service," as defined in the order, may include the payment of principal and interest as each matures, the establishment and maintenance of funds for extensions and improvements, an operating reserve, and an interest and sinking fund reserve. (c) The board shall fix the fees in amounts that are sufficient to comply with the covenants in the order and with this chapter. (d) If part of the security for the bonds consists of money to be received by the board as consideration for facilities belonging to the board but operated by a person other than the board under a lease or operating contract, the board shall fix the fees to be charged by the person for use of and services rendered by the facilities. The fees must be in amounts at least sufficient to assure receipt by the board of money that the board is committed to pay from that source for debt service under the terms of the order. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.