81R19970 SJM-F
By: Weber H.B. No. 4731
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the Country Place Management District;
providing authority to impose an assessment, impose a tax, and
issue bonds.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle C, Title 4, Special District Local Laws
Code, is amended by adding Chapter 3875 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 3875. COUNTRY PLACE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 3875.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Board" means the district's board of directors.
(2) "Director" means a board member.
(3) "District" means the Country Place Management
District.
Sec. 3875.002. NATURE OF DISTRICT. The Country Place
Management District is a special district created under Section 59,
Article XVI, Texas Constitution.
Sec. 3875.003. PURPOSE; DECLARATION OF INTENT. (a) The
creation of the district is essential to accomplish the purposes of
Sections 52 and 52-a, Article III, and Section 59, Article XVI,
Texas Constitution, and other public purposes stated in this
chapter. By creating the district and in authorizing the City of
Pearland, Brazoria County, and other political subdivisions to
contract with the district, the legislature has established a
program to accomplish the public purposes set out in Section 52-a,
Article III, Texas Constitution.
(b) The creation of the district is necessary to promote,
develop, encourage, and maintain employment, commerce,
transportation, housing, tourism, recreation, the arts,
entertainment, economic development, safety, and the public
welfare in the district.
(c) This chapter and the creation of the district may not be
interpreted to relieve the City of Pearland and Brazoria County
from providing the level of services provided, as of the effective
date of the Act enacting this chapter, to the area in the district.
The district is created to supplement and not to supplant the city
or county services provided in the area in the district.
Sec. 3875.004. FINDINGS OF BENEFIT AND PUBLIC PURPOSE. (a)
The district is created to serve a public use and benefit.
(b) All land and other property included in the district
will benefit from the improvements and services to be provided by
the district under powers conferred by Sections 52 and 52-a,
Article III, and Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, and
other powers granted under this chapter.
(c) The creation of the district is in the public interest
and is essential to:
(1) further the public purposes of developing and
diversifying the economy of the state;
(2) eliminate unemployment and underemployment; and
(3) develop or expand transportation and commerce.
(d) The district will:
(1) promote the health, safety, and general welfare of
residents, employers, potential employees, employees, visitors,
and consumers in the district, and of the public;
(2) provide needed funding for the district to
preserve, maintain, and enhance the economic health and vitality of
the district territory as a community and business center,
including funding for the ownership, operation, and maintenance of
public recreational facilities, including parks, trails, green
space, golf, and other sporting facilities that benefit the
district;
(3) promote the health, safety, welfare, and enjoyment
of the public by providing pedestrian ways and by landscaping and
developing certain areas in the district, which are necessary for
the restoration, preservation, and enhancement of scenic beauty;
(4) provide funding for public improvements,
including drainage facilities, beautification projects, and
identification and directional signage;
(5) provide for water, wastewater, drainage, water
reuse, solid waste collection, and recycling for the district; and
(6) provide street and road improvements.
(e) Pedestrian ways along or across a street, whether at
grade or above or below the surface, and street lighting, street
landscaping, parking, walls and sound barriers, and street art
objects are parts of and necessary components of a street and are
considered to be a street or road improvement.
(f) The district will not act as the agent or
instrumentality of any private interest even though the district
will benefit many private interests as well as the public.
Sec. 3875.005. INITIAL DISTRICT TERRITORY. (a) The
district is initially composed of the territory described by
Section 2 of the Act enacting this chapter.
(b) The boundary description contained in Section 2 of the
Act enacting this chapter forms a closure. A mistake in the
boundary description does not affect the district's:
(1) organization, existence, or validity;
(2) right to issue any type of bond for the purposes
for which the district is created or to pay the principal of and
interest on the bond;
(3) right to impose or collect an assessment or tax; or
(4) legality or operation.
Sec. 3875.006. ELIGIBILITY FOR INCLUSION IN SPECIAL ZONES.
All or any part of the area of the district is eligible to be
included in:
(1) a tax increment reinvestment zone created under
Chapter 311, Tax Code;
(2) a tax abatement reinvestment zone created under
Chapter 312, Tax Code; or
(3) an enterprise zone created under Chapter 2303,
Government Code.
Sec. 3875.007. APPLICABILITY OF MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT
DISTRICTS LAW. Except as otherwise provided by this chapter,
Chapter 375, Local Government Code, applies to the district.
Sec. 3875.008. LIBERAL CONSTRUCTION OF CHAPTER. This
chapter shall be liberally construed in conformity with the
findings and purposes stated in this chapter.
[Sections 3875.009-3875.050 reserved for expansion]
SUBCHAPTER B. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sec. 3875.051. GOVERNING BODY; TERMS. (a) The district is
governed by a board of five directors who serve staggered terms of
four years. Two or three directors shall be elected each
even-numbered year on the uniform election date in May established
by the Election Code.
(b) Section 49.052, Water Code, applies to the district and
directors.
(c) A director may also serve as a director of Brazoria
County Municipal Utility District No. 4. The director is not
entitled to remuneration from the district while serving in both
positions.
Sec. 3875.052. CONFIRMATION ELECTION REQUIRED. (a) The
initial directors shall hold an election to confirm the creation of
the district. If an election to confirm the creation of the
district does not pass, the initial directors may call subsequent
elections to confirm the creation of the district without further
approval.
(b) Subchapter D, Chapter 49, Water Code, applies to the
district and directors.
(c) Section 375.063, Local Government Code, does not apply
to the district.
Sec. 3875.053. INITIAL DIRECTORS. (a) The initial board
consists of the following directors:
Pos. No. Name of Director
1 Jack Banowsky
2 Charles A. Mills
3 Hugh S. Pylant
4 Terry Gray
5 Paul West
(b) Of the initial directors, the terms of directors
appointed for positions 1 through 3 expire May 2010, and the terms
of directors appointed for positions 4 and 5 expire May 2012.
(c) Section 3875.052 does not apply to this section.
(d) This section expires September 1, 2013.
Sec. 3875.054. QUORUM. For purposes of determining the
requirements for a quorum of the board, the following are not
counted:
(1) a board position vacant for any reason, including
death, resignation, or disqualification; or
(2) a director who is abstaining from participation in
a vote because of a conflict of interest.
Sec. 3875.055. COMPENSATION. Except as provided by Section
3875.051(c), a director is entitled to receive fees of office and
reimbursement for actual expenses as provided by Section 49.060,
Water Code. Sections 375.069 and 375.070, Local Government Code,
do not apply to the board.
[Sections 3875.056-3875.100 reserved for expansion]
SUBCHAPTER C. POWERS AND DUTIES
Sec. 3875.101. DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION POWERS. The
district may exercise the powers given to a development corporation
under Chapter 505, Local Government Code, including the power to
own, operate, acquire, construct, lease, improve, or maintain a
project described by that chapter.
Sec. 3875.102. NONPROFIT CORPORATION. (a) The board by
resolution may authorize the creation of a nonprofit corporation to
assist and act for the district in implementing a project or
providing a service authorized by this chapter.
(b) The nonprofit corporation:
(1) has each power of and is considered for purposes of
this chapter to be a local government corporation created under
Chapter 431, Transportation Code; and
(2) may implement any project and provide any service
authorized by this chapter.
(c) The board shall appoint the board of directors of the
nonprofit corporation. The board of directors of the nonprofit
corporation shall serve in the same manner as the board of directors
of a local government corporation created under Chapter 431,
Transportation Code, except that a board member is not required to
reside in the district.
Sec. 3875.103. AGREEMENTS; GRANTS. (a) The district may
make an agreement with or accept a gift, grant, or loan from any
person.
(b) The implementation of a project is a governmental
function or service for the purposes of Chapter 791, Government
Code.
Sec. 3875.104. AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.
To protect the public interest, the district may contract with a
qualified party, including Brazoria County or the City of Pearland,
for the provision of law enforcement services in the district for a
fee.
Sec. 3875.105. MEMBERSHIP IN CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS. The
district may join and pay dues to a charitable or nonprofit
organization that performs a service or provides an activity
consistent with the furtherance of a district purpose.
Sec. 3875.106. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. (a) The
district may establish and provide for the administration of one or
more programs to promote state or local economic development and to
stimulate business and commercial activity in the district,
including programs to:
(1) make loans and grants of public money; and
(2) provide district personnel and services.
(b) For purposes of this section, the district has all of
the powers of a municipality under Chapter 380, Local Government
Code.
Sec. 3875.107. NO EMINENT DOMAIN. The district may not
exercise the power of eminent domain.
Sec. 3875.108. ANNEXATION OR EXCLUSION OF LAND. (a) The
district may annex land as provided by Subchapter J, Chapter 49,
Water Code.
(b) The district may exclude land as provided by Subchapter
J, Chapter 49, Water Code. Section 375.044(b), Local Government
Code, does not apply to the district.
[Sections 3875.109-3875.150 reserved for expansion]
SUBCHAPTER D. GENERAL FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 3875.151. DISBURSEMENTS AND TRANSFERS OF MONEY. The
board by resolution shall establish the number of directors'
signatures and the procedure required for a disbursement or
transfer of the district's money.
Sec. 3875.152. MONEY USED FOR IMPROVEMENTS OR SERVICES.
The district may acquire, construct, finance, operate, or maintain
any improvement or service authorized under this chapter or Chapter
375, Local Government Code, using any money available to the
district.
Sec. 3875.153. PETITION REQUIRED FOR FINANCING SERVICES AND
IMPROVEMENTS WITH ASSESSMENTS. (a) The board may not finance a
service or improvement project with assessments under this chapter
unless a written petition requesting that service or improvement
has been filed with the board.
(b) A petition filed under Subsection (a) must be signed by
the owners of a majority of the assessed value of real property in
the district subject to the assessment according to the most recent
certified tax appraisal roll for Brazoria County.
Sec. 3875.154. METHOD OF NOTICE FOR HEARING. The district
may mail the notice required by Section 375.115(c), Local
Government Code, by certified or first class United States mail.
The board shall determine the method of notice.
Sec. 3875.155. ASSESSMENTS; LIENS FOR ASSESSMENTS. (a)
The board by resolution may impose and collect an assessment for any
purpose authorized by this chapter in all or any part of the
district. Section 375.114, Local Government Code, does not apply
to the district.
(b) An assessment, a reassessment, or an assessment
resulting from an addition to or correction of the assessment roll
by the district, penalties and interest on an assessment or
reassessment, an expense of collection, and reasonable attorney's
fees incurred by the district:
(1) are a first and prior lien against the property
assessed;
(2) are superior to any other lien or claim other than
a lien or claim for county, school district, or municipal ad valorem
taxes; and
(3) are the personal liability of and a charge against
the owners of the property even if the owners are not named in the
assessment proceedings.
(c) The lien is effective from the date of the board's
resolution imposing the assessment until the date the assessment is
paid. The board may enforce the lien in the same manner that the
board may enforce an ad valorem tax lien against real property.
(d) The board may make a correction to or deletion from the
assessment roll that does not increase the amount of assessment of
any parcel of land without providing notice and holding a hearing in
the manner required for additional assessments.
Sec. 3875.156. UTILITY PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM IMPACT FEES AND
ASSESSMENTS. The district may not impose an impact fee or
assessment on the property, including the equipment,
rights-of-way, facilities, or improvements, of:
(1) an electric utility or a power generation company
as defined by Section 31.002, Utilities Code;
(2) a gas utility as defined by Section 101.003 or
121.001, Utilities Code;
(3) a telecommunications provider as defined by
Section 51.002, Utilities Code; or
(4) a person who provides to the public cable
television or advanced telecommunications services.
Sec. 3875.157. RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. Section 375.161,
Local Government Code, does not apply to a tax imposed by the
district or a requirement for payment for a service provided by the
district.
Sec. 3875.158. AD VALOREM TAX. (a) If authorized at an
election held in accordance with Section 3875.162, the district may
impose an ad valorem tax on taxable property in the district in
accordance with Section 49.107, Water Code, for any district
purpose, including to:
(1) maintain and operate the district;
(2) construct or acquire improvements; or
(3) provide a service.
(b) The board shall determine the tax rate. The rate may not
exceed the rate approved at the election.
(c) Section 49.107(h), Water Code, does not apply to the
district.
Sec. 3875.159. CONTRACT TAXES. (a) In accordance with
Section 49.108, Water Code, the district may impose a tax other than
an operation and maintenance tax and use the revenue derived from
the tax to make payments under a contract after the provisions of
the contract have been approved by a majority of the district voters
voting at an election held for that purpose.
(b) A contract approved by the district voters may contain a
provision stating that the contract may be modified or amended by
the board without further voter approval.
Sec. 3875.160. AUTHORITY TO BORROW MONEY AND TO ISSUE
BONDS. (a) The district may borrow money on terms and conditions
as determined by the board. Section 375.205, Local Government
Code, does not apply to a loan, line of credit, or other borrowing
from a bank or financial institution secured by revenue other than
ad valorem taxes.
(b) The district may issue by competitive bid or negotiated
sale bonds, notes, or other obligations payable wholly or partly
from ad valorem taxes, assessments, impact fees, revenue, contract
payments, grants, or other district money, or any combination of
those sources of money, to pay for any authorized district purpose.
(c) The limitation on the outstanding principal amount of
bonds, notes, and other obligations provided by Section 49.4645,
Water Code, does not apply to the district.
Sec. 3875.161. TAXES FOR BONDS. At the time the district
issues bonds payable wholly or partly from ad valorem taxes, the
board shall provide for the imposition of a continuing direct
annual ad valorem tax, without limit as to rate or amount, while all
or part of the bonds are outstanding as required and in the manner
provided by Sections 54.601 and 54.602, Water Code.
Sec. 3875.162. ELECTIONS REGARDING TAXES AND BONDS. (a)
The district may issue, without an election, bonds, notes, and
other obligations secured by:
(1) revenue other than ad valorem taxes; or
(2) contract payments described by Section 3875.159.
(b) The district must hold an election in the manner
provided by Subchapter L, Chapter 375, Local Government Code, to
obtain voter approval before the district may impose an ad valorem
tax or issue bonds payable from ad valorem taxes.
(c) Section 375.243, Local Government Code, does not apply
to the district.
(d) All or any part of any facilities or improvements that
the district may acquire by the issuance of its bonds may be
submitted as a single proposition or as several propositions to be
voted on at the election.
Sec. 3875.163. CITY APPROVAL. (a) Except as provided by
Subsection (c), the district must obtain the approval of the City of
Pearland's governing body for the issuance of bonds for each
improvement project.
(b) The governing body of the City of Pearland must provide
the approval required for the issuance of bonds under Subsection
(a) by adoption of an ordinance or resolution.
(c) The district may obtain any other city approval required
by this chapter by permit or other city administrative process that
does not involve the City of Pearland's governing body.
Sec. 3875.164. CITY NOT REQUIRED TO PAY DISTRICT
OBLIGATIONS. Except as provided by Section 375.263, Local
Government Code, the City of Pearland is not required to pay a bond,
note, or other obligation of the district.
Sec. 3875.165. COMPETITIVE BIDDING. Subchapter I, Chapter
49, Water Code, applies to the district. Subchapter K, Chapter 375,
Local Government Code, does not apply to the district.
Sec. 3875.166. TAX AND ASSESSMENT ABATEMENTS. The district
may grant in the manner authorized by Chapter 312, Tax Code, an
abatement for a tax or assessment owed to the district.
Sec. 3875.167. USAGE FEES. The board of directors may set,
charge, impose, and collect fees, charges, or tolls for the use of
any district facilities.
[Sections 3875.168-3875.200 reserved for expansion]
SUBCHAPTER E. DISSOLUTION
Sec. 3875.201. DISSOLUTION OF DISTRICT. (a) The board of
directors may vote to dissolve the district regardless of the
district's outstanding debt. Section 375.264, Local Government
Code, does not apply to the district.
(b) If the district has outstanding debt when it is
dissolved, the district shall remain in existence solely for the
purpose of discharging its debts. The dissolution is effective
when all debts of the district have been discharged.
SECTION 2. The Country Place Management District initially
includes all territory contained in the boundaries of the Brazoria
County Municipal Utility District No. 4, as those boundaries
existed on January 1, 2009.
SECTION 3. (a) The legal notice of the intention to
introduce this Act, setting forth the general substance of this
Act, has been published as provided by law, and the notice and a
copy of this Act have been furnished to all persons, agencies,
officials, or entities to which they are required to be furnished
under Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, and Chapter 313,
Government Code.
(b) The governor, one of the required recipients, has
submitted the notice and Act to the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality.
(c) The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has filed
its recommendations relating to this Act with the governor,
lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives
within the required time.
(d) The general law relating to consent by political
subdivisions to the creation of districts with conservation,
reclamation, and road powers and the inclusion of land in those
districts has been complied with.
(e) All requirements of the constitution and laws of this
state and the rules and procedures of the legislature with respect
to the notice, introduction, and passage of this Act have been
fulfilled and accomplished.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.