Bolivar County could form a district to run Choctaw's sewer system

The Bolivar County board may form a district to own and run the Choctaw sewer system. The district would cover the existing Choctaw Sewer Association facilities in the Choctaw community, including its lift station, treatment lagoon, and pipes in public rights-of-way. The board may start the process only after it determines that the system has been adequately repaired and improved. The board must adopt a resolution describing the district and its boundaries, appointing three to five commissioners, and stating whether it will use the referenced tax or assessment powers. The district would be created when the board adopts the required resolution. The proposed act would take effect after passage.

The county board may use available funds or grants for repairs and improvements, and may transfer county property to the district. Repairs may be done by county employees or contractors. Transfers may include related land, rights, equipment, and funds needed to complete and operate the system. County spending is discretionary and may come only from available general funds; the board may also apply for grants. The board may transfer only property it owns, and only after the district is created. The board may transfer property after the district is created.

The district may arrange for a water provider to shut off a customer's water over unpaid sewer charges. This would apply to district customers who also receive water from a provider that has made the agreement. The district must make an agreement with the water provider covering shutoff, reconnection, and protection for the provider against claims tied to the shutoff. Water service must restart after the customer pays the overdue sewer charges and related fees or penalties. The shutoff process would apply when sewer charges are 60 days or more overdue.

The county or district must ask the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality to remove the county from permits for the system, and the department must grant the removal. The removal covers the county's permits from the department that relate to the sewer system, including its federal discharge permit. The request follows creation of the district and transfer of the relevant property or services described in the bill. The request follows district creation and the transfer of relevant property or services.