(a) In contracting with a public or private entity for wastewater collection, transmission, treatment, or disposal services or for water conservation, storage, transportation, treatment, or distribution, a public utility agency must charge rates sufficient to produce revenue adequate to:
(1) pay all expenses of operation and maintenance;
(2) pay when due the principal of and interest on obligations issued under this subchapter;
(3) pay the principal of and interest on any legal debt of the agency;
(4) pay when due all sinking and reserve fund payments; and
(5) fulfill any agreements made with the holders of any obligations.
(b) A public utility agency may also establish a reasonable depreciation and emergency fund.

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Terms Used In Texas Local Government Code 572.061

  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.

(c) Payments made under a contract with a public utility agency constitute an operating expense of the public or private entity served under the contract, unless otherwise prohibited by a previously outstanding obligation of the purchasing entity.
(d) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the state reserves its power to regulate and control the rates and charges by a public utility agency.
(e) Until obligations issued under this subchapter have been paid and discharged, this state pledges to and agrees with the purchasers and successive holders of the obligations that it will not limit or alter the powers of the agency to establish and collect rates and charges that will produce revenue sufficient to pay for those items specified in Subsections (a) and (b) and any other obligations of the agency in connection with those items.