What are the procedures for establishing a municipal water or sewer authority?

Establishing a municipal water or sewer authority in Washington State requires several steps. First, the municipality must adopt a resolution of necessity, which states the public necessity for the authority and its proposed service area. Once the resolution is ratified, the municipality must obtain a Certificate of Authority from the Washington State Department of Commerce. This process includes submitting a detailed proposal for the services to be provided and a legal description of the area to be served. After the Certificate of Authority is in place, the municipality must hold a public hearing to solicit input from citizens. This hearing must take place within the proposed service area of the authority. The municipality must then hold a special election in which the citizens will vote on the establishment of the authority. If the majority of voters approve the establishment of the authority, the municipality will then create a plan of service. Finally, the municipality will have to obtain a loan to finance the construction of any necessary infrastructure. The municipality must also then organize and appoint a board of commissioners to oversee the operation of the authority. The process of establishing a municipal water or sewer authority in Washington State can take several months, and thorough research and planning is necessary to ensure success. There are also many legal requirements and regulations that must be followed, so it is important to seek legal advice to ensure that the process is being done properly.

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