Relating to responsibility of board of public service district that is being dissolved

Utility boards must help counties transfer systems

West Virginia public service district boards must help counties sell assets when their districts are being dissolved or merged. Boards must sign, or arrange signing of, the papers needed to sell and transfer those assets. Normally, selling, leasing, or renting a water, sewer, stormwater, or gas system requires at least 60% board support. Allowed recipients are municipalities, privately owned utility systems, or systems owned by neighboring public service districts. County commissions and the state Public Service Commission must approve the deal. A Class I newspaper notice must run in each affected county 7–20 days before the hearing. Notice, a hearing, and board approval are not required after counties order dissolution and sale or merger and the state commission approves. Sale money first pays outstanding bonds and other district debts. Next, construction contributors share repayment in proportion to their contributions, capped at what each paid, without interest. Any remaining money goes to the general fund of the county containing most of the system. No distribution is required for sales between state political subdivisions, such as local governments.