Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

AGO 2009 NO. 5 >

Municipal sewer districts have statutory authority to use public funds to repair or replace side sewers located on private property if doing so will increase sewer capacity by reducing infiltration and inflow.  Use of public funds to do so does not constitute an unconstitutional gift or loan of public funds if the district acts without donative intent and can demonstrate that the action will result in significant benefit to the public.

AGO 1956 NO. 200 >

(1) An election of certain commissioners in Kitsap County Sewer District No. 1 may be held on March 13, 1956.(2) A sewer district commissioner vacates his office when he removes his residence from the sewer district and ceases to be entitled to vote in sewer district elections.(3) Commissioners elected on March 13, 1956, will hold office either for a term of six years or for the unexpired term of a commissioner who has vacated his office.

AGO 1950 NO. 246 >

1. The commissioners of a sewer district do not have authority to employ and pay a public relations director to publicize a proposed sewer revenue bond issue and may not provide him with district moneys for publicity program or office expenditures.2. Said commissioners do have authority to provide maps, plans and other data for their own use, for the use of their engineers and other employees, and to demonstrate the proposed sewage plan and cost of said proposed project.

AGO 1954 NO. 276 >

Sewer district commissioners conducting private sale of excess real property of district under RCW 56.08.080 and 56.08.090 1953 Supp. need not accept higher bid by private firm, but rather may accept lower bid of fire district.

AGO 1953 NO. 466 >

Sewer and fire district commissioners do not have authority to sell real property of the district which is necessary for the continued operation of the district.  An action to quiet title is not necessary to set aside such transaction because it is void ab initio.