Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 85. WATER USE

CHAPTER 9. CONSERVANCY DISTRICTS

Part 4. Organization and Procedure

Contracts And Agreements By Directors

85-9-408. Contracts and agreements by directors. On behalf of the district, the directors may:

(1) contract for service, for water furnished, or for the sale of water with any person;

(2) cooperate with; accept grants, loans, and other assistance from; act as agent for; and enter into agreements with any and all state or federal agencies and exercise all necessary or convenient powers in connection therewith;

(3) enter into any obligation or contract with an agency of the federal government for the construction, operation, and maintenance of works or for the assumption as principal or guarantor of indebtedness to the United States on account of district lands under the provisions of the federal reclamation act and rules established under that act or contract with an agency of the federal government for a water supply under any federal act providing for or permitting such a contract. However, the action must be approved by a majority of the electors voting at an election conducted in accordance with Title 13, chapter 1, part 5. If a contract is made with an agency of the federal government, the directors may deposit bonds of the district with the United States at 90% of their par value to secure the amount to be paid by the district to the United States under any contract. The interest on the bonds of the district to be applied as specified by the contract. If bonds of the district are deposited with the United States, it is the duty of the directors to make an assessment sufficient to meet all payments accruing under the terms of any contract with the United States.

(4) accept appointment of the district as fiscal agent for the United States or authorization of the district to make collections of moneys for or on behalf of the United States in connection with any federal reclamation projects, and the district is authorized to act and to assume the duties and liabilities incident to this action. However, the action must be approved by a majority of the electors voting at an election conducted in accordance with Title 13, chapter 1, part 5. The directors may do all things required by federal statutes and rules and require prompt payment of all charges as a prerequisite to water service.

(5) make contracts incidental to the performance of the district's functions and employ and fix the compensation of employees, agents, or consultants as are deemed necessary, including but not limited to a manager, attorneys, accountants, engineers, construction and financial experts; or

(6) cooperate with soil and water conservation districts to obtain agreements to carry out soil conservation measures and proper farm plans from owners of lands situated in the drainage area above each retention reservoir to be installed with federal assistance.

History: En. Sec. 14, Ch. 100, L. 1969; R.C.M. 1947, 89-3414(16), (19) thru (21), (25), (26); amd. Sec. 258, Ch. 49, L. 2015.