GA HB1176

Creates the Fannin County Water Authority as a political subdivision of Georgia with perpetual existence, empowered to acquire, construct, operate, and maintain water supply and sewerage facilities for public and private consumers in Fannin County

Governing board consists of seven voting members appointed by the Fannin County Board of Commissioners chairperson (3 members) and Post One and Post Two Commissioners (2 members each), with staggered initial terms of one to three years and all subsequent terms lasting three years; members are limited to two consecutive terms

Authority may issue revenue bonds maturing up to 40 years to fund projects, enter into operational agreements with participating cities for up to 50 years, and must set rates calculated to cover only the cost of providing services without operating at a profit

Eminent domain power is granted but limited to acquisitions not exceeding 20 acres each and expressly cannot be used to obtain water lines or resources owned by a city

All authority properties are exempt from state, county, and city taxes, and the Act does not diminish the county's existing power to own and operate its own water and sewer facilities or issue revenue bonds