A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT providing that the local government commission shall conduct an economic impact study of sanitary district capital projects that require the estimated expenditure of ten million dollars or more.
Whereas, counties and communities have an interest in providing clean water and sanitary sewer services for their citizens; and
Whereas, it is important that water and sanitary sewer services shall be provided in the most cost efficient manner; and
Whereas, in this State, there are often multiple sanitary districts and public authorities in close proximity to one another that provide similar services; and
Whereas, it is appropriate to examine capital intensive projects carefully to ensure that duplicitous infrastructure is not being constructed; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 2 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read as follows:
"§ 130A‑63.1.  Economic impact study required for certain capital projects.
Prior to accepting bids on any capital project that requires the estimated expenditure of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) or more, a sanitary district board shall submit the details of the project to the Local Government Commission, which shall conduct an economic impact study to determine the impact the completed project will have on the sanitary district's assets and expenditures and the assets and expenditures of neighboring local government units and public authorities. The study shall also include the effect, if any, the capital project expenditures will have on the cost of raw water in the sanitary district and areas served by neighboring local government units and public authorities. The sanitary district shall submit the information required by this section in the form and manner required by the Local Government Commission, which is authorized to adopt regulations to carry out its powers and duties under this section."
SECTION 2.  This act applies only to sanitary districts in counties with a population of 100,000 or more, but shall not apply if the county has only one sanitary district within its jurisdictional boundaries.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.