Water production; general powers and duties.

In the performance of, and in conjunction with, its other powers and duties, the governing board of a water management district existing pursuant to this chapter:

(1) Shall engage in planning to assist counties, municipalities, special districts, publicly owned and privately owned water utilities, multijurisdictional water supply entities, regional water supply authorities, or self-suppliers in meeting water supply needs in such manner as will give priority to encouraging conservation and reducing adverse environmental effects of improper or excessive withdrawals of water from concentrated areas. As used in this section and s. 373.707, regional water supply authorities are regional water authorities created under s. 373.713 or other laws of this state.

(2) Shall assist counties, municipalities, special districts, publicly owned or privately owned water utilities, multijurisdictional water supply entities, regional water supply authorities, or self-suppliers in meeting water supply needs in such manner as will give priority to encouraging conservation and reducing adverse environmental effects of improper or excessive withdrawals of water from concentrated areas.

(3) May establish, design, construct, operate, and maintain water production and transmission facilities for the purpose of supplying water to counties, municipalities, special districts, publicly owned and privately owned water utilities, multijurisdictional water supply entities, or regional water supply authorities. The permit required by part II of this chapter for a water management district engaged in water production and transmission shall be granted, denied, or granted with conditions by the department.

(4) Shall not engage in local water supply distribution.

(5) Shall not deprive, directly or indirectly, any county wherein water is withdrawn of the prior right to the reasonable and beneficial use of water which is required to supply adequately the reasonable and beneficial needs of the county or any of the inhabitants or property owners therein.

(6) May provide water and financial assistance to regional water supply authorities, but may not provide water to counties and municipalities which are located within the area of such authority without the specific approval of the authority or, in the event of the authority’s disapproval, the approval of the Governor and Cabinet sitting as the Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission. The district may supply water at rates and upon terms mutually agreed to by the parties or, if they do not agree, as set by the governing board and specifically approved by the Governor and Cabinet sitting as the Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission.

(7) May acquire title to such interest as is necessary in real property, by purchase, gift, devise, lease, eminent domain, or otherwise, for water production and transmission consistent with this section and s. 373.707. However, the district shall not use any of the eminent domain powers herein granted to acquire water and water rights already devoted to reasonable and beneficial use or any water production or transmission facilities owned by any county, municipality, or regional water supply authority. The district may exercise eminent domain powers outside of its district boundaries for the acquisition of pumpage facilities, storage areas, transmission facilities, and the normal appurtenances thereto, provided that at least 45 days prior to the exercise of eminent domain, the district notifies the district where the property is located after public notice and the district where the property is located does not object within 45 days after notification of such exercise of eminent domain authority.

(8) In addition to the power to issue revenue bonds pursuant to s. 373.584, may issue revenue bonds for the purposes of paying the costs and expenses incurred in carrying out the purposes of this chapter or refunding obligations of the district issued pursuant to this section. Such revenue bonds shall be secured by, and be payable from, revenues derived from the operation, lease, or use of its water production and transmission facilities and other water-related facilities and from the sale of water or services relating thereto. Such revenue bonds may not be secured by, or be payable from, ad valorem taxes received by the district or from moneys appropriated by the Legislature, unless otherwise specifically authorized by law. All provisions of s. 373.584 relating to the issuance of revenue bonds which are not inconsistent with this section shall apply to the issuance of revenue bonds pursuant to this section. The district may also issue bond anticipation notes in accordance with the provisions of s. 373.584.

(9) May join with one or more other water management districts, counties, municipalities, special districts, publicly owned or privately owned water utilities, multijurisdictional water supply entities, regional water supply authorities, private landowners, or self-suppliers for the purpose of carrying out its powers, and may contract with such other entities to finance acquisitions, construction, operation, and maintenance, provided that such contracts are consistent with the public interest. The contract may provide for contributions to be made by each party to the contract for the division and apportionment of the expenses of acquisitions, construction, operation, and maintenance, and for the division and apportionment of resulting benefits, services, and products. The contracts may contain other covenants and agreements necessary and appropriate to accomplish their purposes.