Georgia 2023-2024 Regular Session

Georgia House Bill HB160 Compare Versions

OldNewDifferences
1-23 LC 47 2027/AP
1+23 LC 47 2027
22 H. B. 160
33 - 1 -
4-House Bill 160 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)
4+House Bill 160
55 By: Representatives Greene of the 154
66 th
77 , Sampson of the 153
88 rd
99 , Yearta of the 152
1010 nd
1111 , and
1212 Cheokas of the 151
1313 st
1414
1515 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1616 AN ACT
1717 To provide for the creation of one or more community improvement districts in the City of
1818 1
1919 Albany; to provide for a short title; to provide for the purposes of such districts; to provide2
2020 for definitions; to provide for boards to administer such districts; to provide for appointment3
2121 or election of members of such boards; to provide for taxes, fees, and assessments; to provide4
2222 for the boundaries of such districts; to provide procedures for determining the specifications5
2323 for projects to be undertaken by the district and the manner of levying taxes, fees, and6
2424 assessments with respect thereto; to provide for the debt of such districts; to provide for7
2525 cooperation with local governments; to provide for powers of such boards; to provide for8
2626 general obligation bonds, notes, and other obligations of such districts; to provide for the9
2727 form of bonds, provisions for exchange and transfer, certificates of validation, and10
2828 specification of interest rates; to provide for definition of the terms "cost of the project" and11
2929 "cost of any project" as used in bond resolutions and elsewhere; to provide for authorized12
3030 contents of agreements and instruments of the boards generally; to provide for use of13
3131 proceeds of sale of bonds, notes, and other obligations; to provide for subsequent issues of14
3232 bonds, notes, and other obligations; to provide for construction; to provide that no notice,15
3333 proceeding, publication, or referendum shall be required; to provide the procedures16
34-connected with all of the foregoing; to provide for the dissolution and reactivation of districts17 23 LC 47 2027/AP
34+connected with all of the foregoing; to provide for the dissolution and reactivation of districts17 23 LC 47 2027
3535 H. B. 160
3636 - 2 -
3737 under certain conditions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for
3838 18
3939 other purposes.19
4040 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:20
4141 SECTION 1.21
4242 Short title.22
4343 This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "City of Albany Community Improvement23
4444 Districts Act."24
4545 SECTION 2.25
4646 Purpose.26
4747 The purpose of this Act shall be to provide for the creation of one or more community27
4848 improvement districts within the City of Albany, and each such district shall be created for28
4949 the provision of the following governmental services and facilities as may be provided for29
5050 in the resolution activating such district created hereby. Such services and facilities shall be30
5151 one or more of:31
5252 (1) Street and road construction and maintenance, including curbs, sidewalks, street32
5353 lights, and devices to control the flow of traffic on streets and roads;33
5454 (2) Parks and recreational areas and facilities;34
5555 (3) Storm-water and sewage collection and disposal systems;35
5656 (4) Development, storage, treatment, purification, and distribution of water;36
5757 (5) Public transportation;37
5858 (6) Terminal and dock facilities and parking facilities; or38
59-(7) Such other services and facilities as may be provided for by general law.39 23 LC 47 2027/AP
59+(7) Such other services and facilities as may be provided for by general law.39 23 LC 47 2027
6060 H. B. 160
6161 - 3 -
6262 SECTION 3.
6363 40
6464 Definitions.41
6565 As used in this Act, the term:42
6666 (1) "Agricultural" means the growing of crops for sale or raising of animals for sale or43
6767 use, including the growing of field crops and fruit or nut trees, the raising of livestock or44
6868 poultry, and the operation of dairies, horse boarding facilities, and riding stables.45
6969 (2) "Board" means the governing authority created for the governance of each46
7070 community improvement district authorized by this Act.47
7171 (3) "Bonds" or "general obligation bonds" means any bonds of a district which are48
7272 authorized to be issued under the Constitution and laws of Georgia, including refunding49
7373 bonds but not including notes or other obligations of a district.50
7474 (4) "Caucus of electors" means for the district, the meeting of electors provided for in51
7575 this Act at which board members of the district are elected.52
7676 (5) "Cost of the project" or "cost of any project" means and includes:53
7777 (A) All costs of acquisition by purchase or otherwise, construction, assembly,54
7878 installation, modification, renovation, or rehabilitation incurred in connection with any55
7979 project or any part of any project;56
8080 (B) All costs of real property, fixtures, or personal property used in or in connection57
8181 with or necessary for any project or for any facilities related thereto, including, but not58
8282 limited to, the cost of all land, estates for years, easements, rights, improvements, water59
8383 rights, connections for utility services, fees, franchises, permits, approvals, licenses, and60
8484 certificates; the cost of securing any such franchises, permits, approvals, licenses, or61
8585 certificates; and the cost of preparation of any application therefor and the cost of all62
8686 fixtures; machinery; equipment, including all transportation equipment and rolling63
8787 stock; furniture; and other property used in or in connection with or necessary for any64
88-project;65 23 LC 47 2027/AP
88+project;65 23 LC 47 2027
8989 H. B. 160
9090 - 4 -
9191 (C) All interest and other financing charges and loan fees and all interest on bonds,
9292 66
9393 notes, or other obligations of a district which accrue or are paid prior to and during the67
9494 period of construction of a project and during such additional period as the board may68
9595 reasonably determine to be necessary to place such project in operation;69
9696 (D) All costs of engineering, surveying, and architectural and legal services and all70
9797 expenses incurred by engineers, surveyors, architects, and attorneys in connection with71
9898 any project;72
9999 (E) All expenses for inspection of any project;73
100100 (F) All fees of fiscal agents, paying agents, and trustees for bondholders under any trust74
101101 agreement, indenture of trust, or similar instrument or agreement; all expenses incurred75
102102 by any such fiscal agents, paying agents, and trustees; and all other costs and expenses76
103103 incurred relative to the issuance of any bonds, notes, or other obligations for any77
104104 projects;78
105105 (G) All expenses of or incidental to determining the feasibility or practicability of any79
106106 project;80
107107 (H) All costs of plans and specifications for any project;81
108108 (I) All costs of title insurance and examinations of title with respect to any project;82
109109 (J) Repayment of any loans made for the advance payment of any part of any of the83
110110 foregoing costs, including interest thereon and any other expenses of such loans;84
111111 (K) Administrative expenses of the board and such other expenses as may be necessary85
112112 for or incidental to any project or the financing thereof or the placing of any project in86
113113 operation;87
114114 (L) The establishment of a fund or funds for the creation of a debt service reserve, a88
115115 renewal and replacement reserve, or such other funds or reserves as the board may89
116116 approve with respect to the financing and operation of any project and as may be90
117-authorized by any bond resolution, trust agreement, indenture of trust, or similar91 23 LC 47 2027/AP
117+authorized by any bond resolution, trust agreement, indenture of trust, or similar91 23 LC 47 2027
118118 H. B. 160
119119 - 5 -
120120 instrument or agreement pursuant to the provisions of which the issuance of any bonds,
121121 92
122122 notes, or other obligations of the district may be authorized; and93
123123 (M) Any cost, obligation, or expense incurred for any of the foregoing purposes.94
124124 (6) "District" means the geographical area designated as such by the resolution of the95
125125 governing authority consenting to the creation of the community improvement district or96
126126 as thereafter modified pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 7 of this Act.97
127127 (7) "Electors" means the owners of real property used nonresidentially within the district98
128128 which is then subject to taxes, fees, and assessments levied by the board, as they appear99
129129 on the most recent ad valorem real property tax return records of Dougherty County, or100
130130 one officer or director of a corporate elector, one trustee of a trust which is an elector, one101
131131 partner of a partnership elector, or one designated representative of an elector whose102
132132 designation is made in writing. An owner of property subject to taxes, fees, or103
133133 assessments levied by the board shall have one vote for an election based on numerical104
134134 majority. An owner of multiple parcels has one vote, not one vote per parcel, for an105
135135 election based on numerical majority. Multiple owners of one parcel have one vote for106
136136 elections based on numerical majority.107
137137 (8) "Equitably apportioned among the properties subject to such taxes, fees, and108
138138 assessments according to the need for governmental services and facilities created by the109
139139 degree of density of development of each such property," with reference to taxes, fees,110
140140 and assessments levied by the board, means that the burden of the taxes, fees, and111
141141 assessments shall be apportioned among the properties subject thereto based upon the112
142142 values established in the most recent ad valorem tax reassessment of such properties113
143143 certified by the chairperson of the Dougherty County Board of Tax Assessors or may be114
144144 apportioned among the properties subject thereto in direct or approximate proportion to115
145145 the receipt of services or benefits derived from the improvements or other activities for116
146146 which the taxes, fees, or assessments are to be expended or may be apportioned in any117
147-other manner or combination of manners deemed equitable by the board, including, but118 23 LC 47 2027/AP
147+other manner or combination of manners deemed equitable by the board, including, but118 23 LC 47 2027
148148 H. B. 160
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150150 not limited to, the recognition of differential benefits which may reasonably be expected
151151 119
152152 to accrue to new land development in contrast to lands and improvements already in120
153153 existence at the time of creation of the community improvement district.121
154154 (9) "Forestry" means the planting and growing of trees for sale in a program that includes122
155155 reforestation of harvested trees, regular underbrush and undesirable growth clearing,123
156156 fertilizing, pruning, thinning, cruising, and marking which indicate an active tree-farming124
157157 operation; it does not include the casual growing of trees on land otherwise idle or held125
158158 for investment, even though some harvesting of trees may occur thereon.126
159159 (10) "Project" means the acquisition, construction, installation, modification, renovation,127
160160 rehabilitation, or operation of land; interests in land, buildings, structures, facilities, or128
161161 other improvements located or to be located within or otherwise providing service to the129
162162 district; and the acquisition, installation, modification, renovation, rehabilitation, or130
163163 furnishing of fixtures, machinery, equipment, furniture, or other property of any nature131
164164 whatsoever used on, in, or in connection with any such land, interest in land, building,132
165165 structure, facility, or other improvement, for all the essential public purposes set forth in133
166166 Section 2 of this Act.134
167167 (11) "Property owner" or "owner of real property" means any entity or person shown as135
168168 a taxpayer for one or more parcels of real estate on the most recent ad valorem tax136
169169 records of Dougherty County within the district. Ownership as shown by the most recent137
170170 ad valorem tax records of Dougherty County shall serve as prima-facie proof of138
171171 ownership. Multiple owners of one parcel shall constitute one property owner and shall139
172172 designate in writing one of their number to represent the whole.140
173173 (12) "Property used nonresidentially" means property or any portion thereof used for141
174174 neighborhood shopping, planned shopping centers, general commercial, transient lodging142
175175 facilities, tourist services, office or institutional, office services, light industry, heavy143
176-industry, central business district, parking, or other commercial or business use, as well144 23 LC 47 2027/AP
176+industry, central business district, parking, or other commercial or business use, as well144 23 LC 47 2027
177177 H. B. 160
178178 - 7 -
179179 as vacant land zoned or approved for any of the uses listed in this paragraph which does
180180 145
181181 not include residential.146
182182 (13) "Residential" means a specific work or improvement undertaken primarily to147
183183 provide single-family or multifamily dwelling accommodations for persons and families148
184184 and such community facilities as may be incidental or appurtenant thereto.149
185185 (14) "Taxpayer" means any entity or person paying ad valorem taxes on real property,150
186186 whether on one or more parcels of property within the district. Multiple owners of one151
187187 parcel shall constitute one taxpayer and shall designate in writing one of their number to152
188188 represent the whole.153
189189 SECTION 4.154
190190 Creation.155
191191 (a) Pursuant to Article IX, Section VII of the Constitution of the State of Georgia, there are156
192192 created one or more community improvement districts to be located in the City of Albany,157
193193 wholly within the incorporated area thereof, each of which shall be activated upon158
194194 compliance with the conditions provided in this Act and which shall be governed by a board159
195195 as constituted pursuant to this Act. The conditions for such activation shall be:160
196196 (1) The adoption of a resolution consenting to the creation of each community161
197197 improvement district by the governing authority of the City of Albany; and162
198198 (2) Written consent to the creation of the community improvement district by:163
199199 (A) A majority of the owners of real property within the district which will be subject164
200200 to taxes, fees, and assessments levied by the board of the district; and165
201201 (B) The owners of real property within the district which constitutes at least 75 percent166
202202 by value of all real property within the district which will be subject to taxes, fees, and167
203203 assessments levied by the board and for this purpose, value shall be determined by the168
204-most recent approved county ad valorem tax digest.169 23 LC 47 2027/AP
204+most recent approved county ad valorem tax digest.169 23 LC 47 2027
205205 H. B. 160
206206 - 8 -
207207 (b) The written consents provided for in paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this section shall
208208 170
209209 be submitted to the Dougherty County tax commissioner, who shall certify whether171
210210 paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this section has been satisfied with respect to each such172
211211 proposed district.173
212212 (c) No district or board created under this Act shall transact any business or exercise any174
213213 powers under this Act until the foregoing conditions of this section are met. A copy of such175
214214 resolutions shall be filed with the Secretary of State, who shall maintain a record of all176
215215 districts activated under this Act, and a second copy shall be filed with the Department of177
216216 Community Affairs.178
217217 SECTION 5.179
218218 Administration, appointment, and election of board members.180
219219 (a)(1) Each district created pursuant to this Act shall be administered by a board181
220220 composed of five members as follows:182
221221 (A) The mayor of the City of Albany, or a person appointed by said mayor, who shall183
222222 serve on Post 1;184
223223 (B) A member of city council of the City of Albany, other than the mayor, or a person185
224224 appointed by a majority vote of said city council members, who shall serve on Post 2;186
225225 and187
226226 (C) Three persons elected by a majority vote of the electors, who shall serve on Posts188
227227 3, 4, and 5. The initial term of office for the member serving on Post 3 shall be one189
228228 year, and the initial terms of office of the members serving on Posts 4 and 5 shall be190
229229 two years. Thereafter, the terms of the members serving on Posts 3, 4, and 5 shall be191
230230 two years.192
231231 (2) Members appointed by elected officials to Posts 1 or 2 shall serve at the pleasure of193
232-the mayor and the city council members, respectively.194 23 LC 47 2027/AP
232+the mayor and the city council members, respectively.194 23 LC 47 2027
233233 H. B. 160
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235235 (b) The initial board members to be elected by the electors as provided in subsection (a) of
236236 195
237237 this section shall be elected in a caucus of electors, which shall be held within 90 days after196
238238 the adoption of the resolutions and obtaining of the written consents provided for in this Act197
239239 at such time and place within the district as the governing authority of the City of Albany198
240240 shall designate after notice thereof shall have been given to said electors by publishing notice199
241241 in the legal organ of Dougherty County at least once each week for four weeks prior to such200
242242 meeting. A quorum at such caucus shall consist of those electors present, and a majority of201
243243 those present and voting is necessary to elect board members. No proxy votes may be cast.202
244244 The mayor of the City of Albany or the mayor's designee shall convene the initial caucus of203
245245 electors. Thereafter, there shall be conducted annually, not later than 60 days following the204
246246 last day for filing ad valorem real property tax returns in Dougherty County, a caucus of such205
247247 electors, as appropriate, at such time and place within the district as the board shall designate206
248248 in such notice for the purpose of electing board members to Posts 3, 4, and 5, for those207
249249 positions which have terms expiring or are vacant, as appropriate. If a vacancy occurs in an208
250250 elected position on the board, the board shall, within 60 days thereafter, call a special election209
251251 to fill the same to be held within 60 days of the call unless such vacancy occurs within 180210
252252 days of the next regularly scheduled election, in which case a special election may, but need211
253253 not, be called.212
254254 (c) The elected board members shall be subject to recall as any other elected public official213
255255 by the electors.214
256256 (d) The board members shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be215
257257 reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. They shall elect216
258258 one of their members as chairperson and another as vice chairperson and shall also elect a217
259259 secretary and a treasurer or a secretary-treasurer, either of whom may, but need not, be a218
260-member of the board.219 23 LC 47 2027/AP
260+member of the board.219 23 LC 47 2027
261261 H. B. 160
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263263 (e) Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the O.C.G.A., the 'Georgia Election Code,' shall not apply to the
264264 220
265265 election of district board members. Any district board may adopt such bylaws not221
266266 inconsistent herewith to provide for any matter concerning such elections.222
267267 SECTION 6.223
268268 Taxes, fees, and assessments.224
269269 (a) The board may levy taxes, fees, and assessments within the district only on real property225
270270 used nonresidentially, specifically excluding all property exempt from ad valorem taxation226
271271 under the Constitution or laws of the State of Georgia; all property used for residential,227
272272 agricultural, or forestry purposes; and all tangible personal property and intangible property.228
273273 Any tax, fee, or assessment so levied shall not exceed 2 1/2 percent of the aggregate assessed229
274274 value of all such real property. The taxes, fees, and assessments levied by the board shall be230
275275 equitably apportioned among the properties subject to such taxes, fees, and assessments,231
276276 according to the need for governmental services and facilities created by the degree of232
277277 density of development of each such property. The proceeds of taxes, fees, and assessments233
278278 levied by the board shall be used only for the purpose of providing governmental services234
279279 and facilities which are specially required by the degree of density of development within the235
280280 applicable district and not for the purpose of providing those governmental services and236
281281 facilities provided to the county or municipality as a whole. Any tax, fee, or assessment so237
282282 levied shall be collected by Dougherty County in the same manner as taxes, fees, and238
283283 assessments are levied by the county. Delinquent taxes shall bear the same interest and239
284284 penalties as Dougherty County ad valorem taxes and may be enforced and collected in the240
285285 same manner. The proceeds of taxes, fees, and assessments so levied, less a fee to cover the241
286286 costs of collection of 1 percent thereof, but not more than $25,000.00 in any one calendar242
287287 year, shall be transmitted by Dougherty County to the board and shall be expended by the243
288-board only for the purposes authorized by this Act.244 23 LC 47 2027/AP
288+board only for the purposes authorized by this Act.244 23 LC 47 2027
289289 H. B. 160
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291291 (b) The board shall levy the taxes, fees, and assessments provided for in subsection (a) of
292292 245
293293 this section subsequent to the report of the assessed taxable values for the current calendar246
294294 year and shall notify in writing the collecting governing authority so it may include the levy247
295295 on its regular ad valorem tax bills. The proceeds of taxes, fees, and assessments so levied,248
296296 less the fee to cover the costs of collection as specified in subsection (a) of this section, shall249
297297 be transmitted by the collecting governing authority to the board and shall be expended by250
298298 the board only for the purposes authorized by this Act.251
299299 (c) If, but for this provision, a parcel of real property is removed from a district or otherwise252
300300 would become nontaxable, it shall continue to bear its tax millage, then extant upon such253
301301 event for bonded indebtedness of the district then outstanding, until the bonded indebtedness254
302302 then outstanding is paid or refunded.255
303303 (d) Each property owner paying taxes, fees, or assessments levied by the board for any256
304304 public facility as set forth in Section 2 of this Act may receive a credit equal to the present257
305305 value of all such taxes, fees, and assessments toward any impact fee as may be levied by the258
306306 City of Albany against such property for system improvements which are in the same259
307307 category as said public facility in accordance with Chapter 71 of Title 36 of the O.C.G.A.,260
308308 the 'Georgia Development Impact Fee Act.' Application for such development impact fee261
309309 credit may be granted by legislative action of the governing authority of the City of Albany262
310310 in its discretion.263
311311 SECTION 7.264
312312 Boundaries of the districts.265
313313 (a) The boundaries of each district shall be as designated as such by the governing authority266
314314 of the City of Albany and shall lie wholly within the incorporated area of the City of Albany267
315315 as set forth in the resolutions required in Section 4 of this Act, or as may thereafter be added268
316-as provided in this Act.269 23 LC 47 2027/AP
316+as provided in this Act.269 23 LC 47 2027
317317 H. B. 160
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319319 (b) The boundaries of a district may be increased after the initial creation of a district
320320 270
321321 pursuant to the following:271
322322 (1) Written consent of a majority of the owners of real property within the area sought272
323323 to be annexed into the district and which will be subject to taxes, fees, and assessments273
324324 levied by the board of the district is first obtained;274
325325 (2) Written consent of owners of real property within the area sought to be annexed into275
326326 the district which constitutes at least 75 percent by value of all real property within the276
327327 area sought to be annexed into the district which will be subject to taxes, fees, and277
328328 assessments levied by the board and, for this purpose, value shall be determined by the278
329329 most recent approved county ad valorem tax digest;279
330330 (3) The adoption of a resolution consenting to the annexation by the board of the district;280
331331 and281
332332 (4) The adoption of a resolution consenting to the annexation by the governing authority282
333333 of the City of Albany.283
334334 SECTION 8.284
335335 Debt.285
336336 Each district may incur debt without regard to the requirements of Article IX, Section V, of286
337337 the Constitution of Georgia, or any other provision of law prohibiting or restricting the287
338338 borrowing of money or the creation of debt by political subdivisions of the State of Georgia,288
339339 and the debt shall be backed by the full faith, credit, and taxing power of the district, but shall289
340340 not be an obligation of the State of Georgia, the City of Albany, or any other unit of290
341-government of the State of Georgia other than the district.291 23 LC 47 2027/AP
341+government of the State of Georgia other than the district.291 23 LC 47 2027
342342 H. B. 160
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344344 SECTION 9.
345345 292
346346 Cooperation with local governments.293
347347 The services and facilities provided pursuant to this Act shall be provided for in a294
348348 cooperation agreement executed jointly by the board and the governing authority of the City295
349349 of Albany. The provisions of this section shall in no way limit the authority of the City of296
350350 Albany to provide services or facilities within the district; and the City of Albany shall retain297
351351 full and complete authority and control over any of its facilities located within its respective298
352352 areas of any district. Such control shall include, but not be limited to, the modification of,299
353353 access to, and degree and type of services provided through or by facilities of the300
354354 municipality. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to limit or preempt the301
355355 application of any governmental laws, ordinances, resolutions, or regulations to the district302
356356 or the services or facilities provided within the district.303
357357 SECTION 10.304
358358 Powers.305
359359 (a) Each district and its board created pursuant to this Act shall have all of the powers306
360360 necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this Act,307
361361 including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the power:308
362362 (1) To bring and defend actions;309
363363 (2) To adopt and amend a corporate seal;310
364364 (3) To make and execute contracts, agreements, and other instruments necessary or311
365365 convenient to exercise the powers of the board or to further the public purposes for which312
366366 the district is created, including, but not limited to, contracts for construction of projects,313
367367 leases of projects, contracts for sale of projects, agreements for loans to finance projects,314
368-contracts with respect to the use of projects, and agreements with other jurisdictions or315 23 LC 47 2027/AP
368+contracts with respect to the use of projects, and agreements with other jurisdictions or315 23 LC 47 2027
369369 H. B. 160
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371371 community improvement districts regarding multijurisdictional projects or services or for
372372 316
373373 other cooperative endeavors to further the public purposes of the district;317
374374 (4) To acquire by purchase, lease, or otherwise, and to hold, lease, and dispose of real318
375375 and personal property of every kind and character, or any interest therein, in furtherance319
376376 of the public purposes of the district;320
377377 (5) To finance by loan, grant, lease, or otherwise, and to construct, erect, assemble,321
378378 purchase, acquire, own, repair, remodel, renovate, rehabilitate, modify, maintain, extend,322
379379 improve, install, sell, equip, expand, add to, operate, or manage projects and to pay the323
380380 cost of any project from the proceeds of bonds, notes, or other obligations of the district324
381381 or any other funds of the district, or from any contributions or loans by persons,325
382382 corporations, partnerships, whether limited or general, or other entities, all of which the326
383383 board is authorized to receive, accept, and use;327
384384 (6) To borrow money to further or carry out its public purposes and to execute bonds,328
385385 notes, other obligations, leases, trust indentures, trust agreements, agreements for the sale329
386386 of its bonds, notes, or other obligations, loan agreements, security agreements,330
387387 assignments, and such other agreements or instruments as may be necessary or desirable,331
388388 in the judgment of the board, to evidence and to provide security for such borrowing;332
389389 (7) To issue bonds, notes, or other obligations of the district and use the proceeds thereof333
390390 for the purpose of paying or reimbursing all or any part of the cost of any project and334
391391 otherwise to further or carry out the public purposes of the district and to pay all costs of335
392392 the board incidental to, or necessary and appropriate to, furthering or carrying out such336
393393 purposes;337
394394 (8) To make application directly or indirectly to any federal, state, county, or municipal338
395395 government or agency or to any other source, whether public or private, for loans, grants,339
396396 guarantees, or other financial assistance in furtherance of the district's public purposes340
397397 and to accept and use the same upon such terms and conditions as are prescribed by such341
398-federal, state, county, or municipal government or agency or other source;342 23 LC 47 2027/AP
398+federal, state, county, or municipal government or agency or other source;342 23 LC 47 2027
399399 H. B. 160
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401401 (9) To enter into agreements with the federal government or any agency thereof to use
402402 343
403403 the facilities or services of the federal government or any agency thereof in order to344
404404 further or carry out the public purposes of the district;345
405405 (10) To contract for any period, not exceeding 50 years, with the State of Georgia, state346
406406 institutions, or any municipal corporation, county, or political subdivision of this state for347
407407 the use by the district of any facilities or services of the state or any such state institution,348
408408 municipal corporation, county, or political subdivision of this state, or for the use by any349
409409 state institution or any municipal corporation, county, or political subdivision of the state350
410410 of any facilities or services of the district, provided that such contracts shall deal with351
411411 such activities and transactions as the district and any such political subdivision with352
412412 which the district contracts are authorized by law to undertake;353
413413 (11) To receive and use the proceeds of any tax levied by any county or any municipal354
414414 corporation to pay the costs of any project or for any other purpose for which the board355
415415 may use its own funds pursuant to this Act;356
416416 (12) To receive and administer gifts, grants, and devises of money and property of any357
417417 kind and to administer trusts;358
418418 (13) To use any real property, personal property, or fixtures, or any interest therein, or359
419419 to rent or lease such property to or from others or make contracts with respect to the use360
420420 thereof, or to sell, lease, exchange, transfer, assign, pledge, or otherwise dispose of or361
421421 grant options for any such property in any manner for the advantage of the district and362
422422 the public purposes thereof;363
423423 (14) To appoint, select, and employ engineers, surveyors, architects, urban or city364
424424 planners, fiscal agents, attorneys, and others, and to fix their compensation and pay their365
425425 expenses;366
426426 (15) To encourage and promote the improvement and development of the district and to367
427427 make, contract for, or otherwise cause to be made long-range plans or proposals for the368
428-district in cooperation with the City of Albany;369 23 LC 47 2027/AP
428+district in cooperation with the City of Albany;369 23 LC 47 2027
429429 H. B. 160
430430 - 16 -
431431 (16) To adopt bylaws governing the conduct of business by the board, the election and
432432 370
433433 duties of officers of the board, and other matters as the board considers appropriate for371
434434 the bylaws;372
435435 (17) To invest its funds, whether derived from the issuance of bonds or otherwise, in373
436436 such manner as it may deem prudent and appropriate;374
437437 (18) To exercise any power granted by the laws of this state to public or private375
438438 corporations which is not in conflict with the public purposes of the district; and376
439439 (19) To do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers conferred by this377
440440 Act.378
441441 (b) The powers enumerated in this section are cumulative of and in addition to those powers379
442442 enumerated elsewhere in this Act; and no such power shall limit or restrict any other power380
443443 of the board.381
444444 (c) The powers enumerated in this section are conferred for an essential governmental382
445445 function for a public purpose, and the revenues and debt of any district are not subject to383
446446 taxation.384
447447 SECTION 11.385
448448 Bonds - generally.386
449449 (a) Notes or other obligations issued by a district, other than general obligation bonds, shall387
450450 be paid solely from the property pledged to pay such notes or other obligations. General388
451451 obligation bonds issued by any district shall constitute a general obligation of the district to389
452452 the repayment of which the full faith, credit, and taxing power of the district shall be pledged.390
453453 (b) All bonds, notes, and other obligations of any district shall be authorized by resolution391
454454 of its board, adopted by a majority vote of the board members at a regular or special meeting.392
455455 (c) Bonds, notes, or other obligations shall bear such date or dates, shall mature at such time393
456-or times but not more than 30 years from their respective dates, shall bear interest at such rate394 23 LC 47 2027/AP
456+or times but not more than 30 years from their respective dates, shall bear interest at such rate394 23 LC 47 2027
457457 H. B. 160
458458 - 17 -
459459 or rates which may be fixed or may fluctuate or otherwise change from time to time, shall
460460 395
461461 be subject to redemption on such terms, and shall contain such other terms, provisions,396
462462 covenants, assignments, and conditions as the resolution authorizing the issuance of such397
463463 bonds, notes, or other obligations may permit or provide. The terms, provisions, covenants,398
464464 assignments, and conditions contained in or provided or permitted by any resolution of the399
465465 board authorizing the issuance of such bonds, notes, or other obligations shall bind the board400
466466 members of the district then in office and their successors.401
467467 (d) The board shall have power from time to time, and whenever it deems it expedient, to402
468468 refund any bonds by the issuance of new bonds, whether or not the bonds to be refunded403
469469 have matured, and may issue bonds partly to refund bonds then outstanding and partly for404
470470 any other purpose permitted by this Act. The refunding bonds may be exchanged for the405
471471 bonds to be refunded, with such cash adjustments as may be agreed upon, or may be sold and406
472472 the proceeds applied to the purchase or redemption of the bonds to be refunded.407
473473 (e) There shall be no limitation upon the interest rates or any maximum interest rate or rates408
474474 on any bonds, notes, or other obligations of the district; and the usury laws of this state shall409
475475 not apply to bonds, notes, or other obligations of these districts.410
476476 (f) Bonds issued by a district may be in such form, either coupon or fully registered, or both411
477477 coupon and fully registered, and may be subject to such exchangeability and transferability412
478478 provisions as the bond resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or any indenture or413
479479 trust agreement may provide.414
480480 (g) Bonds issued by a district shall be validated under and in accordance with Article 3 of415
481481 Chapter 82 of Title 36 of the O.C.G.A., known as the "Revenue Bond Law," or in accordance416
482482 with such other successor provision governing bond validation generally as may be provided417
483483 by law. The signature of the clerk of the Superior Court of Dougherty County shall be made418
484484 on the certificate of validation of such bonds by facsimile or by manual execution, stating the419
485485 date on which such bonds were validated, and such entry shall be original evidence of the420
486-fact of judgment and shall be received as original evidence in any court in this state.421 23 LC 47 2027/AP
486+fact of judgment and shall be received as original evidence in any court in this state.421 23 LC 47 2027
487487 H. B. 160
488488 - 18 -
489489 (h) In lieu of specifying the rate or rates of interest which such bonds are to bear, and the
490490 422
491491 principal amount and maturities of such bonds, the notice to the district attorney or the423
492492 Attorney General, and the notice to the public of the time, place, and date of the validation424
493493 hearing, and the petition and complaint for validation may state that the bonds when issued425
494494 will bear interest at a rate not exceeding a maximum per annum rate of interest, which may426
495495 be fixed or may fluctuate or otherwise change from time to time, and that the principal427
496496 amount will not exceed and the final maturity date will not be later than as specified in such428
497497 notices and petition and complaint; or the notice or notices may state that, in the event the429
498498 bonds are to bear different rates of interest for different maturity dates, none of such rates430
499499 will exceed the maximum rate, which may be fixed or may fluctuate or otherwise change431
500500 from time to time, as so specified; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be432
501501 construed as prohibiting or restricting the right of a board to sell such bonds at a discount,433
502502 even if in doing so, the effective interest cost resulting therefrom would exceed the maximum434
503503 per annum interest rate specified in such notices and in the petition and complaint.435
504504 (i) The terms "cost of the project" and "cost of any project" shall have the meaning436
505505 prescribed by this Act whenever those terms are referred to in bond resolutions of a board;437
506506 in bonds, notes, or other obligations of the districts; or in notices of proceedings to validate438
507507 such bonds of a district.439
508508 SECTION 12.440
509509 Authorized contents of agreements and instruments of the board generally; use of441
510510 proceeds of sale of bonds, notes, and other obligations; subsequent442
511511 issues of bonds, notes, and other obligations.443
512512 (a) Subject to the limitations and procedures provided by this section and Section 11 of this444
513513 Act, the agreements or instruments executed by a board may contain such provisions not445
514-inconsistent with law as shall be determined by such board.446 23 LC 47 2027/AP
514+inconsistent with law as shall be determined by such board.446 23 LC 47 2027
515515 H. B. 160
516516 - 19 -
517517 (b) The proceeds derived from the sale of all bonds, notes, and other obligations issued by
518518 447
519519 a district shall be held and used for the ultimate purpose of paying, directly or indirectly as448
520520 permitted by this Act, all or part of the cost of any project, or for the purpose of refunding449
521521 any bonds, notes, or other obligations issued in accordance with this Act.450
522522 (c) Issuance by a board of one or more series of bonds, notes, or other obligations for one451
523523 or more purposes shall not preclude it from issuing other bonds, notes, or obligations in452
524524 connection with the same project or with any other project; but the proceeding wherein any453
525525 subsequent bonds, notes, or other obligations are issued shall recognize and protect any prior454
526526 loan agreement, security agreement, or other agreement or instrument made for any prior455
527527 issue of bonds, notes, or other obligations, unless, in the resolution authorizing such prior456
528528 issue, the right is expressly reserved to the board to issue subsequent bonds, notes, or other457
529529 obligations on a parity with such prior issue.458
530530 SECTION 13.459
531531 Construction; notice, proceeding, publication, referendum.460
532532 This Act shall be liberally construed to effect the purposes hereof. No notice, proceeding,461
533533 or publication, except those required by this Act, shall be necessary to the performance of462
534534 any act authorized by this Act, nor shall any such act be subject to referendum.463
535535 SECTION 14.464
536536 Dissolution.465
537537 (a)(1) Any district activated under the provisions of this Act may be dissolved.466
538538 (2) The conditions for such dissolution shall be:467
539539 (A) The adoption of a resolution approving of the dissolution of such community468
540-improvement district by the governing authority of the City of Albany; and469 23 LC 47 2027/AP
540+improvement district by the governing authority of the City of Albany; and469 23 LC 47 2027
541541 H. B. 160
542542 - 20 -
543543 (B) The written consent to the dissolution of the community improvement district by:
544544 470
545545 (i) Two-thirds of the owners of real property within the district which are subject to471
546546 taxes, fees, and assessments levied by the board of the district; and472
547547 (ii) The owners of real property constituting at least 75 percent by value of all real473
548548 property within the district which are subject to taxes, fees, and assessments levied474
549549 by the board. For this purpose, value shall be determined by the most recent approved475
550550 county ad valorem tax digest.476
551551 (3) The written consent provided for in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of this477
552552 subsection shall be submitted to the Dougherty County tax commissioner, who shall478
553553 certify whether subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of this subsection has been satisfied479
554554 with respect to each proposed district dissolution.480
555555 (b) In the event that successful action is taken pursuant to this section to dissolve the district,481
556556 the dissolution shall become effective at such time as all debt obligations of the district have482
557557 been satisfied. Following a successful dissolution action and until the dissolution becomes483
558558 effective, no new projects may be undertaken, obligations or debts incurred, or property484
559559 acquired.485
560560 (c) Upon a successful dissolution action, all noncash assets of the district other than public486
561561 facilities or land or easements to be used for such public facilities, as described in Section 2487
562562 of this Act, shall be reduced to cash and, along with all other cash on hand, shall be applied488
563563 to the repayment of any debt obligation of the district. Any cash remaining after all489
564564 outstanding obligations are satisfied shall be remitted to the City of Albany.490
565565 (d) When a dissolution becomes effective, the City of Albany shall take title to all property491
566566 previously in the ownership of the district, and all taxes, fees, and assessments of the district492
567567 shall cease to be levied and collected.493
568568 (e) A district may be reactivated in the same manner as an original activation.494
569569 (f) In the event that any district shall be dissolved in accordance with this section, the board495
570-shall serve until December 31 of the year in which dissolution was approved for the purpose496 23 LC 47 2027/AP
570+shall serve until December 31 of the year in which dissolution was approved for the purpose496 23 LC 47 2027
571571 H. B. 160
572572 - 21 -
573573 of concluding any ongoing matters and projects. However, if such ongoing matters and
574574 497
575575 projects cannot be concluded by December 31 of such year, then the governing authority of498
576576 the City of Albany shall assume the duties of the administrative board and shall be expressly499
577577 authorized to exercise the authority of the administrative board. In the alternative, the500
578578 governing authority of the City of Albany may, by resolution, assume all rights and501
579579 obligations of the district, either bonds or otherwise, and the district shall cease to exist upon502
580580 the adoption of such resolution.503
581581 SECTION 15.504
582582 Repealer.505
583583 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.506