14-701a.   Watercourse improvements; channel diversion; proceedings; howpaid; bond issue; limitations; election.Whenever the governing body shall by resolution deem and declare it tobe expedient and necessary to alter, change and divert the channel of anywatercourse and make the improvements as provided in K.S.A. 12-694, itshall cause to be prepared and submitted to said governing body, surveys,maps and specifications of the work so proposed to be done, together withan estimate of the cost thereof, of every kind and nature, including allproperty damage, so far as same can be approximately estimated, and uponthe approval thereof, said governing body shall have the power to proceedwith said work and to contract therefor and to provide for the payment ofthe cost, damages and expense of every kind and nature occasioned by suchproposed change, alteration and diversion and the construction of allchannels, tunnels, walls, embankments, levees and other work connectedtherewith, in whole or in part, by funds contributed or paid for suchpurposes, or by a levy of a special tax upon all the taxable propertywithin the limits of the city, or by the levy of special taxes orassessments upon all the taxable property lying within a benefit district,or both, by ordinance created, declared and established by the governingbody: Provided, however, That if the the governing body shalldetermine that the proposed work or any part thereof ought to be done andthe cost defrayed by issuing bonds, to be paid by general taxation, and theestimated cost and expenses of such work or any part thereof to the city,exclusive of funds contributed or to be contributed or paid for suchpurpose, shall not exceed the sum of $25,000, then and in that case thegoverning body shall have power to issue the bonds of said city for suchamount, not exceeding said sum of $25,000, without submitting the questionto a vote of the inhabitants thereof; but for all sums in excess of $25,000the governing body shall, before ordering said work done or incurring anyexpense therefor, call a special election to vote upon the question ofmaking said improvements and issuing bonds to pay therefor or submit thesame at the next regular election as the governing body may determine.

      Such special election shall be called and conducted and returns thereofcanvassed as provided by law. If a majority of those voting at the electionauthorize the issuing of the bonds, the governing body shall have the powerto issue the same and cause the work for which they were authorized to bedone, and all bonds under the provisions of this act shall be issued asprovided by law.

      History:   L. 1927, ch. 139, § 2; March 10.