TaxesTaxes Generally
Section § 72090
This law allows a district to levy taxes to cover its obligations, like costs related to its creation and other debts. The tax amount must stay within the limits set by property tax laws. However, if the district didn't levy taxes in the 1971-1972 or 1972-1973 fiscal years and covered its costs through other income, the maximum tax levy is capped at 50 cents for every $100 of assessed property value each year.
Section § 72090.5
This law allows a district to impose a special tax on either all taxpayers or all real estate within its boundaries. This tax must be applied equally, but unimproved land can be taxed at a lower rate than developed land.
Section § 72091
If the district's income (or that of an improvement district within it) isn't enough to cover its bond payments, the board must raise taxes to make sure they can pay off the debt. This includes principal and interest due soon, even if it means acting before the next regular tax collection.
Section § 72092
If the board of a municipal water district thinks their income won't cover costs like operating expenses, maintenance, and obligations, and they're part of a larger metropolitan water district, they have to set up a tax to make up the difference. This tax should be enough to cover all necessary expenses.
Section § 72093
The board is responsible for setting the tax rate needed to raise funds for the district each fiscal year. This tax rate must not go over the legal limits set by tax laws. If the district didn't impose a tax in the 1971-1972 or 1972-1973 fiscal years and still had expenses covered by non-tax revenue, the tax levy can be up to 50 cents per $100 of property value.
Section § 72094
By September 1 each year, the board must inform the county supervisors and auditor about the district's tax rates and any unpaid water service charges that have been overdue for 60 days or more as of July 1. They must provide this information if the property owner has requested it in writing.
Section § 72095
The county auditor is responsible for figuring out and recording how much each property in a district needs to pay in district taxes. They do this by applying the tax rate set by the board to the property's assessed value on the county's assessment roll.
Section § 72096
This law states that taxes to pay off interest or principal on bonded debt must be collected from properties that directly benefit from the debt, as determined by the district's board. For other district purposes, taxes are collected from all properties that fall under the relevant tax category.
Section § 72096.5
This law means that if you live in a mobile home on rented land and the mobile home isn't permanently fixed to the land, you don't have to pay property taxes for any district debts or improvements in that area.
Section § 72097
County officers responsible for collecting taxes must collect district taxes just like they collect county taxes, and then they must give the collected district taxes to the district.
Section § 72098
This law states that if a district takes on debt through bonds, the taxes to repay that debt and its interest will be attached as a lien, or legal claim, on the property that benefits from the debt. Additionally, the law makes it clear that any other taxes the district imposes will also be a lien on all properties within the district that are responsible for paying those specific taxes.
Section § 72099
This law states that liens for district taxes are as powerful and effective as liens for other types of taxes. These liens can be collected using the same methods used for enforcing state and county tax liens.
Section § 72100
If a property's water service charges are overdue, these charges can be added to its annual property taxes, making them a lien on the property similar to a tax lien. This means the charges are treated like unpaid property taxes. However, if someone legally bought the property or has a legitimate lien before the property taxes are due, the lien won't attach, and the charges will be collected by other means. The county will keep some of the collected money to cover the costs of collecting these charges, with the exact amount decided by an agreement between county supervisors and the district's board.
Section § 72101
If you own land and have unpaid water service charges that are more than 60 days overdue, the district must inform you because those charges can become a lien on your property.
Section § 72102
If you don't pay charges for water or other services, the district can make it official by recording the debt at the county recorder's office.
Once recorded, this debt becomes a lien, a legal claim on all property you own in the county, which has the same power as a court judgment. This lien lasts for 10 years, unless it's paid off or released. It can also be extended for another 10 years by filing a new certificate, keeping the lien active on your property.