In the interest of water conservation and land irrigation in that portion of Alabama known as the State of Alabama and for purposes of cooperation with any water authority or agency or any river area development authority or agency heretofore or hereafter created, there is hereby authorized and shall be established as provided in this article a state development agency constituting an irrigation district or districts for the State of Alabama. The agency, when incorporated in accordance with this article, shall be an instrumentality of the State of Alabama.

The board of directors of the agency shall report annually to the Governor of the State of Alabama and shall likewise report annually to the Examiner of Public Accounts, to the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources and to the governing bodies of the counties and of the incorporated municipalities located within the established boundaries of the irrigation district or districts coming within the provisions of this article.

All agencies of the State of Alabama are hereby authorized and directed to extend their cooperation and to lend assistance to the agency in the formulation and implementation of a development program for irrigation and water conservation.

No officer of the corporation shall have any interest, directly or indirectly, in any contract awarded or to be awarded or in the profit to be derived therefrom. Any violation of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall work a forfeiture of office and shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $500.00 or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months or by both fine and imprisonment.

In the event that a state agency other than the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources may hereafter be charged with such responsibility as is in this article charged to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the term 'Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources' wherever used in this article shall be construed to mean the executive head of the state agency so charged.

This article shall be considered supplemental and additional to Sections 9-10-30 through 9-10-47 and to any and all other laws and confers sufficient authority in and of itself for the purposes set forth herein. It shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes of providing for and facilitating the development of an irrigation district or districts within this state.

The organization and establishment of the agency shall be as follows:

(1) The county commission of any county or counties lying within the State of Alabama which may elect to come within the provisions of this article shall indicate its desire to participate therein by the adoption of an appropriate resolution declaring the need for the incorporation of a water conservation and irrigation agency, stating its intention to give financial assistance to projects of such agency and stating its desire to become a part thereof.

(2) Membership of the corporation shall consist of title holders to the land irrigated or proposed to be irrigated within the boundaries of the irrigation district or districts to be established, and such member water users shall elect by majority vote a board of directors to be composed of nine members. Members of the board of directors shall be selected from persons residing in and holding title to lands located within the irrigation district or districts or areas proposed for irrigation and who are persons active in municipal, industrial, agricultural, commercial or citizen organizations engaged in promoting comprehensive and unified development of the resources of the State of Alabama as a basis for its general economic growth. Three such members shall be elected for terms of two years, three for terms of four years and three for terms of six years. Thereafter all members shall be elected for terms of six years, but in all events such members shall continue in office until their successors are elected and qualified. Vacancies occurring on the board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. Board members shall be eligible to succeed themselves.

To become a corporation, members of the board of directors of the agency shall present to the Secretary of State an application signed by them which shall state:

(1) The name, official designation and official residence of each of the applicants together with a certified copy of the resolution, order or commission evidencing his right to office;

(2) The term of office of each of the applicants;

(3) The name of the proposed corporation;

(4) The location of the principal office of the proposed corporation; and

(5) Any other matter relating to the incorporation which the applicants may choose to insert and which is not inconsistent with this article or the laws of the State of Alabama.

The county commission of any county of this state is hereby authorized to declare by the adoption of an appropriate resolution the need for the formation of a county water conservation and irrigation corporation or other such corporation as provided for in this article. Upon the adoption of such resolution the county commission shall appoint five persons, each of whom must be a duly qualified elector and property owner in the county, who shall form the board of directors of such corporation and shall proceed to organize such corporation.

(a) The certificate of incorporation of the corporation shall state:

(1) The names of the persons forming the corporation together with the residence of each thereof and a statement that each of them is a duly qualified elector of and property owner in the county;

(2) The name of the corporation;

(3) The location of its principal office, which shall be in the county seat of the county; and

(4) Any other matters relating to the corporation which the incorporators may choose to insert and which shall not be inconsistent with this article or with the laws of the state.

(b) The certificate of incorporation shall be signed and acknowledged by the incorporators before an officer authorized by the laws of the state to take acknowledgments of deeds, and the certificate of incorporation shall have attached thereto a certified copy of the resolution provided for in Section 9-10-30 and a certificate by the Secretary of State that the name proposed for the corporation is not identical with that of any other corporation in the state or so nearly similar thereto as to lead to confusion and uncertainty.

The certificate of incorporation with the documents attached shall be filed with the judge of probate of the county and the Secretary of State, who shall forthwith receive and record the same. When such certificate is so filed the corporation referred to therein shall come into existence and shall constitute a body corporate and politic, vested with the rights and powers granted in this article.

All powers of the corporation shall be exercised by the board of directors or pursuant to its authority. The directors shall be elected by the county commission for staggered terms of office as follows: two years, three years, four years, five years and six years. Thereafter the term of office of each director shall be six years. If any director resigns or dies or becomes incapable of acting as a director or ceases to reside in the county, the governing body shall elect a successor to serve for the unexpired term. Directors shall be eligible for reelection by the county commission to succeed themselves in office. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The corporation shall have a president, a vice-president, a secretary and a treasurer, but the office of secretary and treasurer may be held by the same person. All officers shall be elected by the board. The members of the board and the officers shall serve without compensation, except that they may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. All proceedings of the board shall be reduced to writing by the secretary of the corporation and recorded in a well-bound book. Copies of such proceedings, when certified by the secretary of the corporation under its seal, shall be received in all courts as evidence of the matters and things therein certified.

A corporation organized and established under the provisions of this article shall have the following powers, subject only to the limitations described in Section 9-10-35 following:

(1) To adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business;

(2) To adopt an official seal and alter the same at pleasure;

(3) To maintain a principal office at the county seat and suboffices at such place or places within the county as it may designate;

(4) To sue and be sued in its own name;

(5) To enter into contracts and agreements or do any act necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and execution of its powers under this article;

(6) To acquire, hold and dispose of real and personal property or any interests therein;

(7) To provide a water supply by impounding a stream or by development and use of wells by either construction, lease or purchase;

(8) To develop and operate an irrigation project, including the facilities necessary thereto, either by construction, lease or purchase;

(9) To provide for the control of floods by impounding surplus water or by other means to the extent that such work is economically feasible and desirable and not opposed to the need of water for irrigation;

(10) To provide for multiple purpose developments where such are feasible and not in conflict with need of water for irrigation use, including developments for water power and water for municipal and industrial uses;

(11) To establish rates for water and power sold to irrigators, municipalities, industries and other customers and authorize collection therefor, such rates to be determined on the basis of the revenue required to operate and maintain the development and for amortization of bonded indebtedness;

(12) To issue revenue bonds and refunding bonds in accordance with the provisions of this article;

(13) To promulgate such rules and regulations as may be required for the reasonable and efficient conduct of its business;

(14) To enter into agreements and contracts with agencies of the federal government in relation to any project or work undertaken or proposed by the corporation;

(15) To enter into agreements or contracts relating to irrigation with other similar corporations for the development of a common watershed where development for water power is not included; provided, that any such agreements must receive the prior approval of the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources;

(16) To accept gifts from any source whatever; and

(17) To have and exercise the right of eminent domain in the manner provided in Title 18 of this code for the condemnation of private properties for public use.

(a) Before any construction work on any project may be undertaken by any corporation created under the terms of this article, said corporation shall apply to the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources for a permit authorizing the proposed development. The corporation shall furnish with the application for permit the following information: Preliminary plans consisting of maps, plats, plans and drawings showing the general features of the development or developments it proposes to make, with the amount of water which will be required as related to the naturally available supply, the land areas and, if a multiple purpose project, the other clients which will benefit from the development and such other details as may be needed to make clear the extent and scope of the project.

(b) The said Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources shall make or have made a study of the water needs of the project as compared to the available supply and as related to the existing or anticipated needs of other water users in the basin who may be affected by the proposed development, making use of such studies or open public hearings as may, in his judgment, be required. Based on his findings, authority to develop as proposed or as modified for the purpose of protecting and conserving water supplies for others shall be granted. It shall further be the duty of the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources to systematically check into the construction and operation of projects for which permits have been granted to ascertain if a corporation is complying with the terms and conditions of the permit.

(c) In the event any corporation is found not to be complying with the terms and conditions of the permit issued by said Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources, said Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources forthwith shall notify the corporation in writing in what manner the terms and conditions of the permit are being violated, and said corporation shall have 30 days after receipt of said notice to rectify or correct whatever violations are being committed. In the event corrections are not made at the end of the 30-day period or any extension of time which the said Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources shall have the authority to give, the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources shall file a complaint in proper form in the circuit court in the county or counties in which such violation is located for a court order making mandatory the correction which he deems necessary.

(a) Any such corporation is hereby authorized to provide by resolution for the issuance of bonds of the corporation for any of its corporate purposes, including the refunding of its bonds. The principal of and the interest on any issue of such bonds shall be payable solely from, and may be secured by a pledge of, tolls, rentals, sales receipts and other revenues of all or any part of the project or projects financed in whole or in part with the proceeds of such bond issue or with the proceeds of bonds refunded or to be refunded by such issue. The proceeds of any such bonds may be used or pledged for the payment or security of the principal or of the interest on bonds and for the establishment of any or all reserves for such payment or security or for other corporate purposes as the corporation may authorize in the resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds or in the trust agreement securing the same. The bonds of each issue shall be dated, shall bear interest not in excess of six percent per annum, shall mature at such time or times, not exceeding 40 years from their date or dates as may be determined by the corporation and may be made redeemable before maturity, at the option of the corporation, at such price or prices and under such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the corporation prior to the issuance of the bonds. The amount of premium on any bond shall not cause the yield to be more than six percent per annum from the date of such bonds to the date of their redemption. The corporation shall determine the form of the bonds, including any interest coupons to be attached thereto, 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 without the state. The bonds shall be signed by the president of the corporation or shall bear his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the corporation or a facsimile thereof shall be impressed, imprinted, engraved or otherwise reproduced thereon. The official seal or a facsimile thereof shall be attested by the secretary of the corporation or shall bear his facsimile signature, and any coupons attached thereto shall bear the facsimile signature of the president of the corporation. In case any officer whose signature or a facsimile of whose signature shall appear on any bonds or coupons shall cease to be such officer before the delivery of such bonds, such signature or such facsimile shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes, the same as if he had remained in office until such delivery. All bonds issued under the provisions of this article shall have and are hereby declared to have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the negotiable instruments law of the state. The bonds may be issued in coupon or in registered form, or both, as the corporation may determine; and 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 corporation may sell such bonds in such manner and for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the corporation.

(b) The corporation shall have power from time to time, in anticipation of the issuance of bonds, to issue notes and from time to time to issue renewal notes maturing not later than three years from their respective dates in an amount not exceeding the amount of bonds issued under the provisions of this article. The authorization and issuance of such notes, the interest thereon, the rights of the holders thereof and the rights, duties and obligations of the corporation in respect thereto shall be governed by the provisions of this article with respect to the issuance of bonds, insofar as the same may be applicable.

(c) The corporation may, out of any funds available therefor, purchase notes or bonds, which shall thereupon be cancelled, at not more than the redemption price then applicable or, if not then redeemable, at a premium of not more than one percent of their face amount, plus accrued interest to the date of purchase.

(d) Neither the members of the corporation nor any person executing the notes or bonds shall be personally liable on the notes or bonds or be accountable by reason of the issuance thereof in accordance with the provisions of this article.

(e) The proceeds of the bonds of each issue shall be disbursed in such manner and under such restrictions as the corporation may provide in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or in the trust agreement, mentioned in this article, securing the bonds.

(f) Prior to the preparation of definitive bonds, the corporation may, under like restrictions, issue interim receipts or temporary bonds, with or without coupons, exchangeable for definitive bonds when such bonds shall have been executed and are available for delivery. The corporation may also provide for the replacement of any bonds which shall become mutilated or shall be destroyed or lost. Bonds may be issued under the provisions of this article without obtaining the consent of any department, division, commission, board, bureau or agency of the state and without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things than those proceedings, conditions or things which are specifically required by this article.

(a) The corporation may provide by resolution for the issuance of refunding bonds for the purpose of refunding any bonds then outstanding which shall have been issued under the provisions of this article, including the payment of any redemption premium thereon and any interest accrued or to accrue to the date of redemption of such bonds and, if deemed advisable by the corporation, for the additional purpose of constructing improvements, extensions or enlargements of the project or projects in connection with which the bonds to be refunded shall have been issued.

(b) The corporation is further authorized to provide by resolution for the issuance of its bonds for the combined purpose of:

(1) Refunding any bonds then outstanding which shall have been issued under the provisions of this article, including the payment of any redemption premium thereof and any interest accrued or to accrue to the date of redemption of such bonds and

(2) Paying all or any part of the cost of any additional project or projects.

(c) The issuance of such bonds, the maturities and other details thereof, the rights of the holders thereof and the rights, duties and obligations of the corporation in respect to the same shall be governed by the provisions of this article insofar as the same may be applicable.

(a) At the discretion of the corporation, any bonds issued under the provisions of this article may be secured by a trust agreement by and between the corporation and a corporate trustee, which may be any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company within or without the state. The trust agreement or the resolution providing for the issuance of such bonds, subject to the provisions of Section 9-10-35, may pledge or assign tolls, rentals, sales receipts or other revenues to which the corporation's right then exists or which may thereafter come into existence and the moneys derived therefrom and the proceeds of such bonds; provided, however, that the trust agreement or resolution shall not convey or mortgage any project or any part thereof.

(b) Such trust agreement or resolution providing for the issuance of bonds 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, including covenants setting forth the duties of the corporation in relation to the acquisition of property and the construction, improvement, maintenance, repair, operation and insurance of the project or projects, the rates of tolls, rentals, sales receipts and other revenues to be charged, the payment, security or redemption of bonds and the custody, safeguarding and application of all moneys and provisions for the employment of consulting engineers in connection with the construction or operation of such project or projects. It shall be lawful for any bank or trust company incorporated under the laws of this state which may act as depository of the proceeds of bonds or of revenues to furnish such indemnifying bonds or to pledge such securities as may be required by the corporation. Any trust agreement or resolution may set forth the rights and remedies of the bondholders and of the trustee and may restrict the individual rights of action by bondholders. In addition to the foregoing, any trust agreement or resolution may contain such other provisions as the corporation may deem reasonable and proper for the security of the bondholders. All expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of any trust agreement may be treated as a part of the cost of the operation of the project or projects.

(c) Any pledge of tolls, rentals, sales receipts, other revenues or moneys made by the corporation shall be valid and binding from the time the pledge is made. The tolls, rentals, sales receipts, other revenues or moneys so pledged and thereafter received by the corporation, except that part of the tolls, rentals, sales receipts, other revenues or moneys which are necessary to maintain the project or projects in good operating condition or to pay the reasonable operating expenses of the corporation or any judgment rendered against it, shall immediately be subject to the lien of the pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act; and the lien of any such pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract or otherwise against the corporation, irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof.

(d) Neither the resolution nor any trust agreement by which a pledge is created need be filed or recorded except in the records of the corporation. If such trust agreement should be offered for record it shall be filed and recorded without the payment of the mortgage tax required by Chapter 22, Title 40.

(e) The corporation may, at its discretion, enter into any supplement to such trust agreement, which supplement shall be governed, so far as may be, by the same provisions of this article as are applicable to the trust agreement.

Bonds issued by the corporation under the provisions of this article are hereby made securities in which the state and all political subdivisions of this state, their officers, boards, commissions, departments or other agencies, all banks, bankers, savings banks, trust companies, savings and loan associations, investment companies and other persons carrying on a banking business, all insurance companies, insurance associations, and other persons carrying on an insurance business and all administrators, executors, guardians, trustees and other fiduciaries and all other persons whatsoever who now are or may hereafter be authorized to invest in bonds or other obligations of the state may properly and legally invest any funds including capital belonging to them or within their control.

The bonds or other securities or obligations are hereby made securities which properly and legally may be deposited with and received by any state or municipal officer or agency of the state for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds or other obligations of the state is now or hereafter may be authorized by law.

Upon completion of the membership of the board of directors and incorporation as provided in this article, the board members shall meet in an organizational session at the place of its main office and elect a chairman, vice-chairman, a secretary and a treasurer, but the office of secretary and treasurer may be held by the same person. The board shall set a regular time and place for its meetings, and a majority of its members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of its business. All proceedings of the board shall be reduced to writing by the secretary of the corporation and recorded in a well-bound book. Copies of such proceedings, when certified by the secretary of the corporation, shall be received in all courts as evidence of the matters and things therein certified. All powers of the corporation shall be exercised by the board of directors or pursuant to its authority, and no county commission shall have any power or authority over the board of directors.

Members of the board shall serve without compensation except reimbursement for actual traveling expenses and other necessary expenses incurred in their official duties, such expenses to be reimbursed from such funds as may be made available to the agency.

No bond or other obligation of such a corporation shall be deemed to be the obligation of or a claim against the state or a county thereof.

The exercise of the powers granted by this article will be in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state for the purpose of conserving natural resources, for the increase of commerce and prosperity and for the improvement of health and living conditions. Since the operation and maintenance of projects authorized by this article will constitute the performance of essential functions, the bonds authorized by this chapter and the income therefrom and all mortgages executed as security therefor shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Alabama.

All counties, cities, towns and other political subdivisions and all public departments, agencies and commissions of the State of Alabama, notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, are hereby authorized and empowered to lease, lend, grant or convey to the corporation at its request, upon such terms and conditions as the proper authorities of such counties, cities, towns, political subdivisions and departments, agencies or commissions of the state may deem reasonable and fair and without the necessity for any advertisement, order of court or other action or formality other than the regular and formal action of the authorities concerned, any real property which may be necessary or convenient to the effectuation of the authorized purposes of the corporation, which real property may include public roads and other real property already devoted to public use.

Before construction is started on any project, the corporation shall advertise for sealed bids once each week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the project or undertaking is to be located. The corporation may also advertise in such other publications as it may deem advisable. Such notices shall state that plans and specifications for the project are on file in the office of the corporation and the time and place in which bids will be received and opened. All bids shall be opened publicly at the advertised time and place.

The contract shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder complying with the conditions of the invitations for bids, unless the corporation finds that his bid is unreasonable or that it is not to the interest of the corporation to accept it. The bidder to whom the award is made shall be notified by telegram or letter at the earliest possible date. Should the successful bidder fail or refuse to sign the contract or make bond, the corporation may award the contract to the second lowest responsible bidder. Should the second lowest bidder fail or refuse to sign the contract or make bond, the authority may award the contract to the third lowest responsible bidder.

Should no bids be received at the time stated in the advertisement for bids, the corporation may advertise for and seek other competitive bids or the corporation may direct that the work shall be done by negotiated contracts under its direction and control. If the corporation finds that all bids received are unreasonable and that it is not to the interest of the corporation to accept any of the bids, the corporation may direct that the work shall be done by negotiated contracts under its direction and control. On any construction project which the corporation has determined to do by negotiated contract, the corporation shall file plans and specifications and an itemized estimate of cost with the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts; and, upon completion of the project by the corporation, the final total cost together with an itemized list of cost of any and all changes made in the original plans and specifications shall be submitted to the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts for its permanent record. Upon approval of the corporation, its duly authorized officer or officers may, when proceeding on the basis of negotiated contracts, let any subdivision or unit of work by contract on receiving sealed bids in accordance with this section. This section shall not apply to routine maintenance or repair jobs done by maintenance men who are regular employees of the corporation.

Each project constructed or operated by such corporation shall be maintained and kept in good condition and repair.

No officer of the corporation shall have any interest, directly or indirectly, in any contract awarded or to be awarded or in the profit to be derived therefrom. The violation of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall work a forfeiture of office and shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $500.00 or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months or both.

The authorized agents and employees of the corporation may enter upon any lands, waters and premises in this state for the purpose of making surveys, soundings, drillings and examinations as it may deem necessary or convenient for the purposes of this article, and such entry shall not be deemed a trespass, nor shall an entry for such purpose be deemed an entry under any condemnation proceedings which may be then pending. The corporation shall make reimbursement for any actual damages resulting to such lands, waters and premises as a result of such activities.

In the event that a state agency other than the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources may hereafter be charged with such responsibility as is in this article charged to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the term 'said Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources' wherever used in this article shall be construed to mean the executive head of the state agency so charged.

The corporation organized and established under this article shall have the following powers, subject only to the limitations described hereinafter:

(1) To adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business;

(2) To adopt, use and alter a corporate seal which shall be judicially noticed;

(3) To maintain a principal office at a place named in its papers of incorporation and a suboffice or suboffices at such places as it may deem necessary;

(4) To enter into such contracts and cooperative agreements with federal, state and local governments, with agencies of such governments, with private individuals, corporations and associations and other organizations to do any act necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and execution of its powers under this article;

(5) To sue and be sued in its own name;

(6) To enter into agreements with the United States government or its agencies or political subdivisions thereof, with municipalities and with public corporations concerning the sale and use of the water impounded by the United States government, management of the project, collection of charges for water issued to users and repayment costs of the project construction costs;

(7) To acquire, hold and dispose of real and personal property or any interests therein;

(8) To provide a water supply by impounding a stream or by development and use of wells by either construction, lease or purchase;

(9) To develop and operate an irrigation project, including the facilities necessary thereto, either by construction, lease or purchase;

(10) To provide for the control of floods by impounding surplus water or by other means to the extent that such work is economically feasible and desirable and not opposed to the need of water for irrigation;

(11) To provide for multiple purpose developments where such are feasible and not in conflict with need of water for irrigation use, including developments for water power and water for municipal and industrial uses;

(12) To establish rates for water sold to irrigators, municipalities, industries and other customers and authorize collections therefor, such rates to be determined on the basis of the revenue required to operate and maintain the development and for amortization of bonded indebtedness or for repayment to the United States government of the costs of the project when built and constructed with federal funds.

(13) To tax or assess the water user members' land for water charges, which include operation and maintenance annual costs and annual construction costs, which tax or assessment shall be equally prorated on the amount of water used and acreage irrigated or scheduled for irrigation within the irrigation district;

(14) To use such means as are necessary to control soil erosion and silt wherever a project facility or repayment of construction costs is endangered;

(15) To refuse to deliver water to any water user member who is delinquent in his project account or who refuses or fails to comply with rules and regulations of the irrigation project;

(16) To issue revenue bonds and refunding bonds;

(17) To exercise the right of eminent domain in the manner provided in Title 18; provided, that nothing in this article shall be construed to authorize the acquisition by eminent domain of any real property or rights owned or controlled by railroads or utilities, both public and private; and

(18) To accept gifts from any source whatsoever.

(a) Before any construction work on any project may be undertaken by any corporation created under the terms of this article, said corporation shall apply to the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources for a permit authorizing the proposed development. The corporation shall furnish with the application for permit the following information: preliminary plans consisting of maps, plats, plans and drawings showing the general features of the development or developments it proposes to make, with amount of water which will be required as related to the naturally available supply, the land areas and, if a multiple purpose project, the other clients which will benefit from the development and such other details as may be needed to make clear the extent and scope of the project.

(b) The Director of Irrigation in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources shall assist in the preparation of the preliminary plans required to be submitted by subsection (a) of this section.

(c) The said Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources shall make or have made a study of the water needs of the project as compared to the available supply and as related to the existing or anticipated needs of other water users in the basin who may be affected by the proposed development, making use of such studies or open public hearings as may, in his judgment, be required. Based on his findings, authority to develop as proposed or as modified for the purpose of protecting and conserving water supplies for others shall be granted. It shall further be the duty of the said Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources to systematically check into the construction and operation of projects for which permits have been granted to ascertain if the corporation is complying with the terms and conditions of the permit.

(d) In the event the corporation is found not to be complying with the terms and conditions of the permit issued by the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources, said Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources forthwith shall notify the corporation in writing in what manner the terms are being violated, and said corporation shall have 30 days after receipt of said notice to rectify or correct whatever violations are being committed. In the event corrections are not made at the end of the 30-day period or any extension of time which the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources shall have the authority to give, the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources shall file a complaint in proper form in the circuit court in the county or counties in which such violation is located for a court order making mandatory the correction which he deems necessary.

All contracts for construction work and purchases of materials shall be awarded on the basis of competitive bids. Before construction is started on any project, the corporation shall advertise for sealed bids once each week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the project or undertaking is to be located and in such other publications as it may deem advisable. Such notices shall state that plans and specifications for the project are on file in the office of the corporation and the time and place for receiving and opening bids. All bids shall be opened publicly at the advertised time and place.

The contract shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder complying with the conditions of the invitations for bids unless the bid is found by the corporation to be unreasonable or it is found not to the best interests of the corporation to accept it. The bidder to whom the award is made shall be notified by telegram or letter at the earliest possible date. Should the successful bidder fail or refuse to sign the contract or make bond, the corporation may award the contract to the second lowest responsible bidder; and, upon the failure or refusal of the second lowest bidder to sign the contract or make bond, the corporation may award the contract to the third lowest responsible bidder.

If no bids are received at the time stated in the advertisement for bids or if the corporation finds that bids received are unreasonable and not to its best interest, the corporation may advertise for and seek other competitive bids, or it may direct that the work shall be done by negotiated contract under its direction and control. On any construction project done by negotiated contract, the corporation shall file plans and specifications and an itemized estimate of cost with the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts. Upon completion of the project by the corporation, the final total cost together with an itemized list of cost of any and all changes made in the original plans shall be submitted to the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts for its permanent record. This section shall not apply to routine maintenance or repair jobs done by maintenance men in the regular employ of the corporation.

The corporation is hereby authorized to provide by resolution for issuance of its bonds from time to time in an amount not to exceed $____ for any of its corporate purposes, including the refunding of its bonds. Such bonds may be used for paying in whole or in part the cost of the acquisition of necessary land or interests therein and the development of the resources of the area for purposes of irrigation and water conservation and expenses incidental thereto. It may secure such bonds by a pledge of all or any of the revenues which may now or hereafter come to the agency from any source, by a mortgage or deed of trust of the agency's land or any part thereof or by a combination of the two, and it may make such contracts in the issuance of its bonds as may seem necessary or desirable to assure their marketability.

No bond or other obligation of the corporation shall be deemed to be the obligation of or claim against the state or any county or municipality therein.

The counties and municipalities located within the boundaries of the irrigation district or districts to be established by the provisions of this article are hereby authorized and empowered to contribute to the work of the agency any amount or amounts of money that their respective governing bodies, acting in their sole discretion, shall approve to be paid from the general fund of the respective counties or municipalities. Governing bodies of such counties or municipalities are hereby empowered to levy and collect ad valorem taxes within constitutional limits for such purposes, which are hereby declared to be for municipal and county public purposes.