Sec. 262-596. - District creation; boundaries.

For the purposes of comprehensive water management and control and developing the lands hereinafter described and managing said lands and water by means of the construction and maintenance of canals, ditches, levees, dikes, pumping plants, and other water control works and improvements, and for the purpose of making the lands within said district available and habitable for settlement and agriculture, and for the public convenience, welfare, utility, and benefit, and for the other purposes stated in this Act and F.S. Ch. 298, a water control district is hereby created and established in Hendry and Collier Counties, Florida, to be known as the Cow Slough Water Control District, the territorial boundaries of which shall be as follows, to wit:

Hendry County:

(1)

In Township 45 south, Range 28 east: All of Sections 13, 14 and 24; and Section 25 less the following described parcel: Commencing at the southwest corner of said Section 25; thence N. 0-32-29 W. along the west boundary line of said Section 25 a distance of 665.19 feet to the point-of-beginning of this description; thence continuing N. 0-32-29 W. along said west boundary line of Section 25 a distance of 4,656.88 feet to the northwest corner of said Section 25; thence S. 87-56-46 E. along the north boundary line of said Section 25 a distance of 1,950.00 feet; thence S. 0-27-54 E. a distance of 1,176.05 feet; thence S. 0-53-38 E. a distance of 2,450.41 feet; thence S. 0-34-26 E. a distance of 1,025.07 feet; thence N. 88-07-20 W. a distance of 1,963.85 feet to the said point-of-beginning of this description.

(2)

In Township 45 south, Range 29 east: All of Sections 18 and 19; that portion of the south ½, west of State Road 29 and the south ½ of the northwest ¼ of Section 20; all Section 29 west of State Road 29; all of Sections 30 and 31; and all of Section 32 west of State Road 29.

Collier County:

(1)

In Township 46 south, Range 29 east: All of Section 5 west of State Road 29; all of Section 6; that portion of Section 7 north of State Road 82; all of Section 8 west of State Road 29; and, that portion of the north ½ of Section 17 west of State Road 29.

(2)

It is hereby determined, declared, and enacted that said lands in their present condition require comprehensive water control and management for proper use and development, and that water control for the purpose of irrigation, reclamation, and flood protection of said lands and the creation of the district with the power vested in it by this Act and F.S. Ch. 298, as they may be amended from time to time, is in the interest of and conducive to public welfare, health, and convenience.

(Laws of Fla. ch. 2000-394, § 3)

Sec. 262-597. - Provisions of other laws made applicable.

The Cow Slough Water Control District hereby created shall be an independent water control district and a public corporation of this state. The provisions of Florida law applicable to water control districts or subdistricts which are embodied in F.S. Ch. 298, as it may be amended from time to time, so far as not inconsistent with this Act, are hereby declared to be applicable to the Cow Slough Water Control District. The Cow Slough Water Control District shall have all of the powers and authorities conferred in this Act and F.S. Ch. 298, as they may be amended from time to time.

(Laws of Fla. ch. 2000-394, § 3)

Sec. 262-598. - Minimum requirements.

In accordance with F.S. § 189.404(3), the following subsections shall constitute the charter of the Cow Slough Water Control District:

(1)

The district is organized and exists for all purposes set forth in this Act and F.S. Ch. 298, as they may be amended from time to time.

(2)

The powers, functions, and duties of the district, including, but not limited to, ad valorem taxation, bond issuance, other revenue-raising capabilities, budget preparation and approval, liens and foreclosure of liens, use of tax deeds and tax certificates as appropriate for non-ad valorem assessments, and contractual agreements, shall be as set forth in F.S. Chs. 189, 197, and 298, or any other applicable general or special law, as they may be amended from time to time.

(3)

The district was created by special act of the Florida Legislature by Laws of Fla. ch. 89-426, in accordance with F.S. Ch. 298.

(4)

The district's charter may be amended only by special act of the legislature.

(5)

In accordance with F.S. Ch. 189, Florida Statutes, this Act, and F.S. § 298.11, the district is governed by a three member board, elected on a one acre, one-vote basis by the landowners in the district. The membership and organization of the board shall be as set forth in this Act and F.S. Ch. 298, as they may be amended from time to time.

(6)

The compensation of board members shall be governed by this Act and F.S. Ch. 298, as they may be amended from time to time.

(7)

The administrative duties of the board of supervisors shall be as set forth in this Act and F.S. Ch. 298, as they may be amended from time to time.

(8)

Requirements for financial disclosure, meeting notices, reporting, public records maintenance, and per diem expenses for officers and employees shall be as set forth in F.S. Chs. 112, 119, 189, 286, and 298, as they may be amended from time to time.

(9)

The procedures and requirements governing the issuance of bonds, notes, and other evidence of indebtedness by the district shall be as set forth in F.S. Ch. 298, and applicable general laws, as they may be amended from time to time.

(10)

The procedures for conducting district elections and for qualification of electors shall be pursuant to this Act and F.S. Chs. 189 and 298, as they may be amended from time to time.

(11)

The district may be financed by any method established in this Act, F.S. Ch. 298, and applicable general laws, as they may be amended from time to time.

(12)

The methods for collecting non-ad valorem assessments, fees, or service charges shall be as set forth in F.S. Chs. 197 and 298, and other applicable general laws, as they may be amended from time to time.

(13)

The district's planning requirements shall be as set forth in F.S. Chs. 189 and 298, as they may be amended from time to time.

(14)

The district's geographic boundary limitations shall be as set forth in this Act.

(Laws of Fla. ch. 2000-394, § 3)

Secs. 262-599—262-630. - Reserved.