Summary: An Act relative to the dissolution of the Holmes Park Water District (SD 222)
Overview
- Bill: Senate Docket No. 222 (Senate language)
- Title: An Act relative to the dissolution of the Holmes Park Water District
- Introduced: January 21, 2025
- Status: Referred to the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
- Version content indicates: filed January 9, 2025; “Local Approval Received” noted; transmitted to Secretary of State on January 21, 2025
Purpose and intent
- The bill proposes to dissolve the Holmes Park Water District and transfer its rights, duties, and assets to the Town of Westminster. It repeals Chapter 788 of the Acts of 1963, except as expressly preserved by the act, and places Westminster in charge of supplying water to residents within the former district’s boundaries.
Key provisions
1) Repeal of existing framework
- Except as expressly provided in the act, Chapter 788 of the Acts of 1963 is repealed.
2) Transfer of authority and infrastructure
- On the act’s effective date, Westminster shall assume all rights, duties, and responsibilities previously held by the Holmes Park Water District to supply water to inhabitants within the district for all purposes described in Chapter 788 (1963).
- All district infrastructure, equipment, facilities, funds, assets, liabilities, and property transfer to Westminster.
- The transferred infrastructure becomes part of Westminster’s water supply system and will be managed by Westminster’s Public Works Commission.
3) Rates, taxes, and collection
- From the effective date, any rates, taxes, or charges owed to the District become owed to Westminster.
- Westminster, through its Public Works Commission, retains full enforcement and collection authority.
4) Funds and debt settlement
- Funds held by the District as of the effective date transfer to Westminster.
- Such funds must first be used to pay the District’s debts.
- Any excess funds are to be credited to Westminster’s Water Enterprise Fund (per §53F1/2 of Chapter 44) and used for purposes of that enterprise fund.
5) Effective date
- The act takes effect upon its passage.
Affected parties and entities
- Inhabitants within the former Holmes Park Water District boundaries (customers and ratepayers)
- Town of Westminster (recipient of rights, assets, and responsibilities)
- Westminster Public Works Commission (administrative body to oversee water operations and debt collection)
- Creditors and debt holders of the Holmes Park Water District
- Westminster’s Water Enterprise Fund (receives any excess district funds)
Procedural and timeline notes
- Filed: January 9, 2025; Transmitted to the Secretary of State: January 21, 2025
- Senate action: Referred to the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government (March 10, 2025 per record)
- Language indicates the bill is subject to Joint Rule 9 and includes local approval language (i.e., local approval received for the dissolution plan)
Potential impact
- Administrative consolidation: Westminster would take over water service delivery and governance for the former Holmes Park district.
- Financial realignment: District debts are prioritized for payment; any surplus funds bolster Westminster’s Water Enterprise Fund.
- Rate and enforcement changes: District customers would pay Westminster, with enforcement by Westminster’s Public Works Commission.
- Governance and service continuity: Residents may experience changes in billing and service administration under a single municipal system.
