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Code of Virginia
Title 15.2. Counties, Cities and Towns
Chapter 51. Virginia Water and Waste Authorities Act
10/8/2024

Article 4. Financing.

§ 15.2-5125. Issuance of revenue bonds.

An authority may provide by resolution for the issuance of revenue bonds of the authority for the purpose of paying the whole or any part of the cost of any system. A community development authority created under Article 6 (§ 15.2-5152 et seq.) of this chapter may provide by resolution for the issuance of revenue bonds of the authority for the purpose of paying the whole or any part of the cost of such facilities which may be provided by the authority under § 15.2-5158. The principal of and the interest on the bonds shall be payable solely from the funds provided for in this chapter for such payment. The full faith and credit of a political subdivision shall not be pledged to support the bonds. The bonds of each issue may be dated, may mature at any time or times not exceeding forty years from their date or dates, may be subject to redemption or repurchase at such price or prices and under such terms and conditions, and may contain such other provisions, all as determined before their issuance by the authority or in such manner as the authority may provide. The bonds may bear interest payable at such time or times and at such rate or rates as determined by the authority or in such manner as the authority may provide, including the determination by reference to indices or formulas or by agents designated by the authority under guidelines established by it. The authority shall determine the form of the bonds, including any interest coupons to be attached thereto, and the manner of execution of the bonds, and shall fix the denomination or denominations of the bonds and the place or places of payment of principal and interest, which may be at any bank or trust company within or outside the Commonwealth. If any officer whose signature or a facsimile of whose signature appears on any bonds or coupons, ceases to be an officer before the delivery of such bonds, his signature or facsimile shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes the same as if he had remained in office until delivery. All revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter shall have, as between successive holders, all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the negotiable instruments law of the Commonwealth. The bonds may be issued in coupon, bearer, registered or book entry form, or any combination of such forms, as the authority may determine. Provision may be made for the registration of any coupon bonds as to principal alone and also as to both principal and interest, and for the reconversion into coupon bonds of any bonds registered as to both principal and interest. The issuance of such bonds shall not be subject to any limitations or conditions contained in any other law, and the authority may sell such bonds in such manner, either at a public or a private sale, and for such price, as it may determine to be for the best interest of the authority and the political subdivisions to be served thereby.

Code 1950, § 15-764.14; 1950, p. 1321; 1958, c. 484; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1252; 1970, c. 617; 1993, c. 850; 1997, cc. 527, 573, 587; 2009, c. 473.

§ 15.2-5126. Time for contesting validity of proposed bond issue; when bonds presumed valid.

For a period of thirty days after the date of the filing with the circuit court having jurisdiction over any of the political subdivisions which are members of the authority a certified copy of the initial resolution of the authority authorizing the issuance of bonds, any person in interest may contest the validity of the bonds, the rates, fees and other charges for the services and facilities furnished by, for the use of, or in connection with, any water or waste system or, for authorities created under Article 6 (§ 15.2-5152 et seq.) of this chapter, such other facilities which may be provided by the authority under § 15.2-5158, the pledge of the revenues of any water or waste system, or any combination of any thereof or, for authorities created under Article 6 of this chapter, such other facilities which may be provided by the authority under § 15.2-5158, any provisions which may be recited in any resolution, trust agreement, indenture or other instrument authorizing the issuance of bonds, or any matter contained in, provided for or done or to be done pursuant to the foregoing. If such contest is not given within the thirty-day period, the authority to issue the bonds, the validity of the pledge of revenues necessary to pay the bonds, the validity of any other provision contained in the resolution, trust agreement, indenture or other instrument, and all proceedings in connection with the authorization and the issuance of the bonds shall be conclusively presumed to have been legally taken and no court shall have authority to inquire into such matters and no such contest shall thereafter be instituted.

Upon the delivery of any bonds reciting that they are issued pursuant to this chapter and a resolution or resolutions adopted under this chapter, the bonds shall be conclusively presumed to be fully authorized by all the laws of the Commonwealth and to have been sold, executed and delivered by the authority in conformity with such laws, and the validity of the bonds shall not be questioned by a party plaintiff, a party defendant, the authority, or any other interested party in any court, anything in this chapter or in any other statutes to the contrary notwithstanding.

1997, c. 587.

§ 15.2-5127. Proceeds of bonds.

The proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to § 15.2-5125 shall be used solely for the payment of the cost of the system or systems for which they were issued and shall be disbursed in such manner and under such restrictions, if any, as the authority may provide in the authorizing resolution or in any trust agreement. If the proceeds of the bonds, by error of estimates or otherwise, are less than such cost, additional bonds may in like manner be issued to provide the amount of such deficit and, unless otherwise provided in the authorizing resolution or in the trust agreement securing them, shall be deemed to be of the same issue and entitled to payment from the same fund without preference or priority of the bonds first issued for the same purpose. If the proceeds of the bonds of any issue exceed the amount required for the purpose for which such bonds were issued, the surplus shall be deposited to the credit of the sinking fund for such bonds.

Code 1950, § 15-764.15; 1950, p. 1322; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1253; 1997, c. 587.

§ 15.2-5128. Interim receipts and temporary bonds; bonds mutilated, lost or destroyed.

Prior to the preparation of definitive bonds, the authority may, under like restrictions, issue interim receipts or temporary bonds, with or without coupons, exchangeable for definitive bonds when such bonds have been executed and are available for delivery.

If any bond issued under this chapter is mutilated, lost or destroyed, the authority may cause a new bond of like date, number and tenor to be executed and delivered upon the cancellation in exchange or substitution for a mutilated bond and its interest coupons, or in lieu of and in substitution for a lost or destroyed bond and its unmatured interest coupons. Such new bond or coupon shall not be executed or delivered until the holder of the mutilated, lost or destroyed bond has (i) paid the reasonable expense and charges in connection therewith and, in the case of a lost or destroyed bond, has filed with the authority and its treasurer evidence satisfactory to such authority and its treasurer that such bond was lost or destroyed and that the holder was the owner and (ii) furnished indemnity satisfactory to the treasurer of the authority.

Code 1950, § 15-764.16; 1950, p. 1322; 1962, cc. 206, 623, § 15.1-1254; 1997, c. 587.

§ 15.2-5129. Provisions of chapter only requirements for issue.

Bonds may be issued under the provisions of this chapter without obtaining the approval or consent of any department, division, commission, board, bureau or agency of the Commonwealth, and without any other proceeding or the happening of any other condition or thing than those proceedings, conditions or things which are specifically required by this chapter.

Code 1950, § 15-764.17; 1950, p. 1322; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1255; 1997, c. 587.

§ 15.2-5130. Limitations in bond resolution or trust agreement.

The resolution providing for the issuance of revenue bonds of the authority, and any trust agreement securing such bonds, may contain such limitations upon the issuance of additional revenue bonds as the authority deems proper. Such additional revenue bonds shall be issued under such limitations.

Code 1950, § 15-764.18; 1950, p. 1323; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1256; 1997, c. 587.

§ 15.2-5131. Bonds not debts of Commonwealth or participating political subdivision.

A. Revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter shall not constitute a pledge of the faith and credit of the Commonwealth or of any political subdivision. All bonds shall contain a statement on their face substantially to the effect that neither the faith and credit of the Commonwealth nor the faith and credit of any political subdivision are pledged to the payment of the principal of or the interest on the bonds. The issuance of revenue bonds under the provisions of this chapter shall not directly or indirectly or contingently obligate the Commonwealth or any political subdivision to levy any taxes or to make any appropriation for their payment except from the funds pledged under the provisions of this chapter.

B. Unless otherwise provided in the ordinance which forms the authority or in a subsequent ordinance or resolution authorizing additional improvements, neither the Commonwealth nor any locality shall pay any part of the principal or interest of any bonds issued by a community development authority formed pursuant to §§ 15.2-5152 through 15.2-5157, nor shall any locality carry any part of such bonds on its financial statements as a contingent obligation; except that if a community development authority fails to pay such bonds, to the extent that a locality has imposed a real property tax surcharge or a special assessment at the request of a community development authority pursuant to subdivisions A 3 or A 5 of § 15.2-5158, funds collected from such sources may be paid against such debt.

C. Debt issued by a community development authority formed pursuant to §§ 15.2-5152 through 15.2-5157 shall not be considered in determining the debt limit of any locality.

Code 1950, § 15-764.19; 1950, p. 1323; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1257; 1997, cc. 363, 587.

§ 15.2-5132. Exemption from taxation.

No authority shall be required to pay any taxes or assessments upon any system acquired or constructed by it under the provisions of this chapter or upon the income therefrom. The bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter, their transfer and the income therefor, including any profit made on their sale, shall be free from taxation within the Commonwealth.

Code 1950, § 15-764.20; 1950, p. 1323; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1258; 1997, cc. 527, 573, 587; 2009, c. 473.

§ 15.2-5133. Trust agreement; bond resolution.

In the discretion of the authority, any revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter may be secured by a trust agreement by and between the authority and a corporate trustee, which may be any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company within or outside the Commonwealth. The resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or the trust agreement may pledge or assign the revenues to be received. The resolution or trust agreement shall not convey or mortgage any stormwater control system or water or waste system or any part thereof, or any improvement financed pursuant to § 15.2-5158 which is, or will be, dedicated to a public entity other than the authority financing such improvement. However, a bond issued by a community development authority pursuant to subdivision A 2 of § 15.2-5158 may pledge or assign a mortgage in other real property or improvements not otherwise proscribed hereunder and may contain such provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bondholders as may be reasonable and proper and not in violation of law. Such provisions may include covenants setting forth the duties of the authority in relation to the acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance, operation, repair and insurance of the system or systems for which such bonds are issued and provisions for the custody, safeguarding and application of all moneys and for the employment of consulting engineers in connection with such construction, reconstruction, or operation. The resolution or trust agreement may set forth the rights and remedies of the bondholders, and may restrict the individual right of action by bondholders as is customary in trust agreements or trust indentures securing bonds or debentures of corporations. The resolution or trust agreement may also contain such other provisions as the authority deems reasonable and proper for the security of the bondholders. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the authority may provide for the payment of the proceeds of the sale of the bonds and its revenues to such officer, board or depositary as it may designate for the custody thereof, and for the method of disbursement thereof, with such safeguards and restrictions as it may determine. All expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of the resolution or trust agreement may be treated as part of the cost of operation.

Code 1950, § 15-764.21; 1950, p. 1323; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1259; 1993, c. 850; 1997, cc. 527, 573, 587; 2009, c. 473.

§ 15.2-5134. Disposition of unclaimed funds due on matured bonds or coupons.

Any authority having bonds outstanding on which principal, premium or interest has matured for a period of more than five years may pay any money being held to pay the matured principal, premium or interest into the general fund of the authority. Thereafter, the owners of the matured bonds may look only to the authority for payment. The authority shall maintain a record of the bonds for which the funds were held.

1997, c. 587.

§ 15.2-5135. Contracts concerning interest rates, currency, cash flow and other basis.

A. Any authority may enter into any contract which the authority determines to be necessary or appropriate to place the obligation or investment of the authority, as represented by the bonds or the investment of their proceeds, in whole or in part, on the interest rate, cash flow or other basis desired by the authority. Such contracts may include without limitation contracts commonly known as interest rate swap agreements and futures or contracts providing for payments based on levels of, or changes in, interest rates. Such contracts or arrangements may be entered into by the authority in connection with, or incidental to, entering into or maintaining any (i) agreement which secures bonds or (ii) investment, or contract providing for investment, otherwise authorized by law. These contracts and arrangements may contain such payment, security, default, remedy, and other terms and conditions as determined by the authority, after giving due consideration to the creditworthiness of the counterparty or other obligated party, including any rating by any nationally recognized rating agency.

B. Any money set aside and pledged to secure payments of bonds or any contracts entered into pursuant to this section, may be invested in accordance with Chapter 45 (§ 2.2-4500 et seq.) of Title 2.2 and may be pledged to and used to service any of the contracts or agreements entered into pursuant to this section, and any other criteria as may be appropriate.

1997, c. 587.

§ 15.2-5136. Rates and charges.

A. The authority may fix and revise rates, fees and other charges (which shall include, but not be limited to, a penalty not to exceed 10 percent on delinquent accounts, and interest on the principal), subject to the provisions of this section, for the use of and for the services furnished or to be furnished by any system, or streetlight system in King George County, or refuse collection and disposal system or facilities incident thereto, owned, operated or maintained by the authority, or facilities incident thereto, for which the authority has issued revenue bonds as authorized by this chapter. Such rates, fees and charges shall be so fixed and revised as to provide funds, with other funds available for such purposes, sufficient at all times (i) to pay the cost of maintaining, repairing and operating the system or systems, or facilities incident thereto, for which such bonds were issued, including reserves for such purposes and for replacement and depreciation and necessary extensions, (ii) to pay the principal of and the interest on the revenue bonds as they become due and reserves therefor, and (iii) to provide a margin of safety for making such payments. The authority shall charge and collect the rates, fees and charges so fixed or revised.

B. The rates for water (including fire protection) and sewer service (including disposal) shall be sufficient to cover the expenses necessary or properly attributable to furnishing the class of services for which the charges are made. However, the authority may fix rates and charges for the services and facilities of its water system sufficient to pay all or any part of the cost of operating and maintaining its sewer system (including disposal) and all or any part of the principal of or the interest on the revenue bonds issued for such sewer or sewage disposal system, and may pledge any surplus revenues of its water system, subject to prior pledges thereof, for such purposes.

C. Rates, fees and charges for the services of a sewer or sewage disposal system shall be just and equitable, and may be based upon:

1. The quantity of water used or the number and size of sewer connections;

2. The number and kind of plumbing fixtures in use in the premises connected with the sewer or sewage disposal system;

3. The number or average number of persons residing or working in or otherwise connected with such premises or the type or character of such premises;

4. Any other factor affecting the use of the facilities furnished; or

5. Any combination of the foregoing factors.

However, the authority may fix rates and charges for services of its sewer or sewage disposal system sufficient to pay all or any part of the cost of operating and maintaining its water system, including distribution and disposal, and all or any part of the principal of or the interest on the revenue bonds issued for such water system, and to pledge any surplus revenues of its water system, subject to prior pledges thereof, for such purposes.

D. Water and sewer rates, fees and charges established by any authority shall be fair and reasonable. An authority may charge fair and reasonable rates, fees, and charges to create reserves for expansion of its water and sewer or sewage disposal systems. Such rates, fees, and charges shall be reviewed by the authority periodically and shall be adjusted, if necessary, to assure that they continue to be fair and reasonable. However, any authority may charge and collect rates, fees, and charges to create a reserve fund for reasonable expansion of its water, sewer, or sewage disposal system. Nothing herein shall affect existing contracts with bondholders which are in conflict with any of the foregoing provisions.

E. Rates, fees and charges for the service of a streetlight system shall be just and equitable, and may be based upon:

1. The portion of such system used;

2. The number and size of premises benefiting therefrom;

3. The number or average number of persons residing or working in or otherwise connected with such premises;

4. The type or character of such premises;

5. Any other factor affecting the use of the facilities furnished; or

6. Any combination of the foregoing factors.

However, the authority may fix rates and charges for the service of its streetlight system sufficient to pay all or any part of the cost of operating and maintaining such system.

F. The authority may also fix rates and charges for the services and facilities of a water system or a refuse collection and disposal system sufficient to pay all or any part of the cost of operating and maintaining facilities incident thereto for the generation or transmission of power and all or any part of the principal of or interest upon the revenue bonds issued for any such facilities incident thereto, and to pledge any surplus revenues from any such system, subject to prior pledges thereof, for such purposes. Charges for services to premises, including services to manufacturing and industrial plants, obtaining all or a part of their water supply from sources other than a public water system may be determined by gauging or metering or in any other manner approved by the authority.

G. No rates, fees or charges shall be fixed under subsections A through F of this section or under subdivision 10 of § 15.2-5114 until after a public hearing at which all of the users of the systems or facilities; the owners, tenants or occupants of property served or to be served thereby; and all others interested have had an opportunity to be heard concerning the proposed rates, fees and charges. After the adoption by the authority of a resolution setting forth the preliminary schedule or schedules fixing and classifying such rates, fees and charges, notice of a public hearing in accordance with § 15.2-1427 shall be published. The hearing may be adjourned from time to time. A copy of the notice shall be mailed to the governing bodies of all localities in which such systems or facilities or any part thereof is located. After the hearing the preliminary schedule or schedules, either as originally adopted or as amended, shall be adopted and put into effect.

H. A copy of the schedule or schedules of the final rates, fees and charges fixed in accordance with subsection G shall be kept on file in the office of the clerk or secretary of the governing body of each locality in which such systems or any part thereof is located, and shall be open to inspection by all interested parties. The rates, fees or charges so fixed for any class of users or property served shall be extended to cover any additional properties thereafter served which fall within the same class, without the necessity of a hearing or notice. Any increase in any rates, fees or charges under this section shall be made in the manner provided in subsection G. Any other change or revision of the rates, fees or charges may be made in the same manner as the rates, fees or charges were originally established as provided in subsection G.

I. No rates, fees or charges established, fixed, changed or revised before January 1, 2013, by any authority pursuant to this section or to subdivision 10 of § 15.2-5114 shall be invalidated because of any defect in or failure to publish or provide any notice required under this section or any predecessor provision.

Code 1950, § 15-764.22; 1950, p. 1324; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1260; 1978, cc. 298, 407; 1982, c. 469; 1988, c. 169; 1994, c. 477; 1997, cc. 12, 527, 573, 587; 1998, c. 869; 2001, c. 400; 2007, c. 813; 2009, c. 473; 2013, c. 51; 2023, cc. 506, 507; 2024, cc. 225, 242.

§ 15.2-5137. Water and sewer connections; exceptions.

A. Upon or after the acquisition or construction of any water system or sewer system under the provisions of this chapter, the owner, tenant, or occupant of each lot or parcel of land (i) which abuts a street or other public right of way which contains, or is adjacent to an easement containing, a water main or a water system, or a sanitary sewer which is a part of or which is or may be served by such sewer system and (ii) upon which a building has been constructed for residential, commercial or industrial use, shall, if so required by the rules and regulations or a resolution of the authority, with concurrence of the locality in which the land is located, connect the building with the water main or sanitary sewer, and shall cease to use any other source of water supply for domestic use or any other method for the disposal of sewage, sewage waste or other polluting matter. All such connections shall be made in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the authority, which may provide for a reasonable charge for making such a connection. A private water company which purchases water from a regional authority for sale or delivery to or within a municipality may impose a charge for connection to the water company's system in the same manner, and subject to the same restrictions, as an authority may impose for connection to its water system, subject to the approval of the State Corporation Commission.

B. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, those persons having a domestic supply or source of potable water shall not be required to discontinue the use of such water. However, persons not served by a water supply system, as defined in § 15.2-2149, producing potable water meeting the standards established by the Virginia Department of Health may be required to pay a connection fee, a front footage fee, and a monthly nonuser service charge, which charge shall not be more than that proportion of the minimum monthly user charge, imposed by the authority, as debt service bears to the total operating and debt service costs, or any combination of such fees and charges. In York County and James City County, the monthly nonuser fee may be as provided by general law or not more than 85 percent of the minimum monthly user charge imposed by the authority, whichever is greater.

C. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, those persons having a private septic system or domestic sewage system meeting applicable standards established by the Virginia Department of Health shall not be required under this chapter to discontinue the use of such system. However, such persons may be required to pay a connection fee, a front footage fee, and a monthly nonuser service charge, which charge shall not be more than that proportion of the minimum monthly user charge, imposed by the authority, as debt service bears to the total operating and debt service costs, or any combination of such fees and charges.

D. Persons who have obtained exemption from or deferral of taxation pursuant to an ordinance authorized by § 58.1-3210 may be exempted or deferred by the authority from paying any charges and fees authorized by subsection C, to the same extent as the exemption from or deferral of taxation pursuant to such ordinance.

E. Water and sewer connection fees established by any authority shall be fair and reasonable. Such fees shall be reviewed by the authority periodically and shall be adjusted, if necessary, to assure that they continue to be fair and reasonable. Nothing herein shall affect existing contracts with bondholders which are in conflict with any of the foregoing provisions.

Code 1950, § 15-764.23; 1950, p. 1326; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1261; 1970, c. 617; 1980, c. 603; 1982, cc. 562, 567; 1984, c. 552; 1987, c. 75; 1997, cc. 12, 587; 2011, c. 642.

§ 15.2-5138. Enforcement of charges.

Any resolution or trust agreement providing for the issuance of revenue bonds under the provisions of this chapter may include any of the following provisions, and may require the authority to adopt such resolutions or to take such other lawful action as is necessary to effectuate such provisions. The authority may adopt such resolutions and take such other actions as follows:

1. Require the owner, tenant or occupant of each lot or parcel of land who is obligated to pay rates, fees or charges for the use of or for the services furnished by any system acquired or constructed by the authority under the provisions of this chapter to make a reasonable deposit with the authority in advance to insure the payment of such rates, fees or charges and to be subject to application to the payment thereof if delinquent.

2. If any rates, fees or charges for the use of and for the services furnished by any system acquired or constructed by the authority under the provisions of this chapter are not paid within thirty days after due, the authority may at the expiration of such thirty-day period disconnect the premises from the water or sewer system, or otherwise suspend services and proceed to recover the amount of any such delinquent rates, fees or charges, with interest, in a civil action.

3. If any rates, fees or charges for the use and services of any sewer system acquired or constructed by the authority under the provisions of this chapter are not paid within thirty days after they become due, require that the owner, tenant or occupant of such premises cease disposing of sewage or industrial wastes originating from or on such premises by discharge directly or indirectly into the sewer system until such rates, fees or charges, with interest, are paid. If such owner, tenant or occupant does not cease such disposal at the expiration of the thirty-day period, the authority may require any political subdivision, district, private corporation, board, body or person supplying water to or selling water for use on such premises to cease supplying water to or selling water for use on such premises within five days after the receipt of notice of such delinquency from the authority. If such political subdivision, district, private corporation, board, body or person does not, at the expiration of such five-day period, cease supplying water to or selling water for use on such premises, then the authority may shut off the supply of water to such premises.

The water supply to or for any person, or for use on real estate of any person, shall not be shut off or stopped under this section if the State Health Commissioner, upon application of the local board of health or health officer of the locality in which such water is supplied or such real estate is located, has found and certifies to the authorities charged with the responsibility of ceasing to supply or sell such water, or to shut off the supply of such water, that ceasing to supply or shutting off such water supply will endanger the health of such person and the health of others in the locality.

Code 1950, § 15-764.24; 1950, p. 1326; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1262; 1997, c. 587.

§ 15.2-5138.1. Enforcement of certain charges when authority does not provide water services.

A. This section shall apply only to an authority operating in Planning District 1 or Planning District 2.

B. If any rates, fees or charges for the use and services of any sewer system acquired or constructed by the authority under the provisions of this chapter are not paid within 60 days after they become due, the authority may require that the owner, tenant or occupant of such premises cease disposing of sewage or industrial wastes originating from or on such premises by discharge directly or indirectly into the sewer system until such rates, fees or charges, with interest, are paid. If such owner, tenant or occupant does not cease such disposal at the expiration of the 60-day period, the authority may require any political subdivision, district, private corporation, board, body or person supplying water to or selling water for use on such premises to cease supplying water to or selling water for use on such premises within five days after the receipt of notice of such delinquency from the authority. If such political subdivision, district, private corporation, board, body or person does not, at the expiration of such five-day period, cease supplying water to or selling water for use on such premises, then the authority may shut off the supply of water to such premises.

C. The water supply to or for any person, or for use on real estate of any person, shall not be shut off or stopped under this section if the State Health Commissioner, upon application of the local board of health or health officer of the locality in which such water is supplied or such real estate is located, has found and certifies to the authorities charged with the responsibility of ceasing to supply or sell such water, or to shut off the supply of such water, that ceasing to supply or shutting off such water supply will endanger the health of such person and the health of others in the locality.

2008, c. 452.

§ 15.2-5139. Lien for charges.

An authority may place a lien upon the real property of an owner only in the same manner provided by § 15.2-2119, and such lien may only be processed, recorded, and released in accordance therewith. An authority may only provide services to lessees or tenants of property owners in accordance with § 15.2-2119.4.

An authority may contract with a locality to collect amounts due on properly recorded utility liens in the same manner as unpaid real estate taxes due the locality.

Code 1950, § 15-764.25; 1950, p. 1327; 1958, c. 97; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1263; 1976, c. 243; 1983, c. 422; 1987, c. 307; 1993, c. 383; 1994, cc. 599, 602; 1997, c. 587; 2009, c. 420; 2011, cc. 529, 580; 2012, c. 766; 2017, c. 736.

§ 15.2-5140. Trust funds.

All moneys received pursuant to this chapter shall be deemed to be trust funds, to be held and applied solely as provided in this chapter. The resolution or trust agreement providing for the issuance of revenue bonds of the authority shall provide that any officer to whom, or any bank, trust company or other fiscal agent to which, such moneys are paid shall act as trustee of such moneys and shall hold and apply the same for the purposes provided in this chapter, subject to such regulations as such resolution or trust agreement may provide.

Code 1950, § 15-764.26; 1950, p. 1328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1264; 1997, c. 587.

§ 15.2-5141. Bondholder's remedies.

Any holder of revenue bonds issued by an authority under this chapter, or of any of the coupons appertaining thereto, except to the extent the rights given by this chapter may be restricted by the resolution or trust agreement providing for the issuance of such bonds, may, either at law or in equity, by suit, mandamus or other proceeding, enforce all rights under the laws of Virginia or granted by this chapter or under such resolution or trust agreement. Such holder may also compel the performance of all duties required by this chapter or by the resolution or trust agreement to be performed by the authority or by any officer thereof, including the fixing, charging and collecting of rates, fees and charges for the use of or for the services furnished by any system.

Code 1950, § 15-764.27; 1950, p. 1328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1265; 1997, c. 587; 2009, c. 473.

§ 15.2-5142. Refunding bonds.

An authority may provide by resolution for the issuance of revenue refunding bonds of the authority to refund any revenue bonds outstanding and issued under this chapter, whether or not such outstanding bonds have matured or are then subject to redemption. Proceeds of such revenue refunding bonds may be used to discharge the revenue bonds, or such revenue refunding bonds may be exchanged for the revenue bonds. Each such authority may provide by resolution for the issuance of a single issue of revenue bonds of the authority for the combined purposes of (i) paying the cost of any system, or any combination thereof, or the improvement, extension, addition or reconstruction thereof, and (ii) refunding revenue bonds of the authority which have been issued under the provisions of this chapter which are outstanding, whether or not such outstanding bonds have matured or are then subject to redemption. The issuance of such bonds, the maturities and other details thereof, the rights and remedies of the bondholders, and the rights, powers, privileges, duties and obligations of the authority with respect to such bonds, shall be governed by the foregoing provisions of this chapter to the extent that they are applicable.

Code 1950, § 15-764.28; 1950, p. 1328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1266; 1974, c. 226; 1997, c. 587; 2009, c. 473.

§ 15.2-5143. Purchase in open market or otherwise.

Provision may be made in the proceedings authorizing refunding revenue bonds for the purchase of the refunded revenue bonds in the open market or pursuant to tenders made from time to time when there is available in the escrow or sinking fund for the payment of the refunded revenue bonds a surplus in an amount or amounts to be fixed in such proceedings.

1997, c. 587.

§ 15.2-5144. Investment in bonds.

Any bonds issued pursuant to this chapter are hereby made securities in which all public officers, bodies and political subdivisions of the Commonwealth; all insurance companies and associations; and all savings banks and savings institutions, including savings and loan associations, trust companies, beneficial and benevolent associations, administrators, guardians, executors, trustees and other fiduciaries in the Commonwealth, may properly and legally invest funds in their control.

Code 1950, § 15-764.29; 1950, p. 1329; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1267; 1997, c. 587.

§ 15.2-5145. Financial report; authority budget; audit.

Any locality may, by resolution, require an authority to:

1. Submit to it an annual financial statement in a form prescribed by the Auditor of Public Accounts; or

2. Have an audit conducted for any fiscal year according to generally accepted auditing and accounting standards or according to the audit specifications and audit program prescribed by the Auditor of Public Accounts.

1978, c. 617, § 15.1-1269.2; 1997, c. 587.