12-17,101a.   Same; hearingrequired before contract let or improvement authorized; notice.(a) Before any contract is let or any work is ordered orauthorized for an improvement or before any services are provided, thegoverning body of the district shall hold a public hearing on theadvisability of the improvement or the advisability of providing suchservices. Notice of the hearing shall be given at least once each week fortwo consecutive weeks in the official city newspaper. At least three daysshall elapse between the last publication and the hearing. The notice shallinclude the:

      (1)   Time and place of hearing;

      (2)   general nature of the proposed improvements or of the services tobe provided;

      (3)   the estimated or probable cost of such improvements or the estimatedannual cost of providing such services during the next three years; and

      (4)   the proposed method or methods by which the governing body proposesto raise the revenues to finance such improvement or to pay for such services.

      (b)   Before calling a hearing on the advisability of any improvement orservice, thegoverning body may secure a feasibility report to assist in thedetermination ofthe improvements or services which should be proposed, together with apreliminary estimate ofthe cost of the improvements, services or combination of improvements andservices. The report may be prepared by qualified officers of the city orby consultants. The governing body also may take such other preliminarysteps prior to the hearing or before ordering any improvements or lettingany contract, including, among other things, the preparation of plans andspecifications, estimates of costs of the improvements or services andthe advertisement for bids thereon, as in its judgment shall be of assistancein determining the feasibility and desirability of the improvement orservices. The cost of such services may be assessed against the district.

      (c)   The hearing may be adjourned from time to time until the governingbody shall have made findings by resolution as to the advisability andnature of the improvements or services to be provided, theestimated cost of the improvements and the estimated annual cost ofproviding such services during the next three years, and the method ormethods by which the governing body proposes to finance such improvements,including a statement that sets forth the amount to be received from anycapital improvement fund tax by issuance of bonds or from an operationsfund tax, or combination thereof, and the amount to be financed by theissuance of bonds.

      History:   L. 1988, ch. 79, § 8; Jan. 1, 1989.