The western area water supply authority consists of participating political subdivisions located within McKenzie, Williams, Burke, Divide, and Mountrail Counties which enter a water supply contract with the authority. Other cities and water systems, within or outside the authority counties’ boundaries, including cities or water systems in Montana, may contract with the authority for a bulk water supply. The authority is a political subdivision of the state, a governmental agency, body politic and corporate, with the authority to exercise the powers specified in this chapter, or which may be reasonably implied. Participating member entities may be required to pay dues or water sale income to the authority, as determined by the bylaws and future resolutions of the authority. Participating member entities may not withdraw from the authority or fail or refuse to pay any water sale income to the authority until the state-guaranteed loans have been repaid. The provisions of subsections 1 through 5 of section 61-35-02.1 apply if the authority’s board of directors unanimously votes to convert to a water district.