California Code, Public Utilities Code - PUC § 103580

The district may borrow money for the purpose of defraying general administrative and preliminary expenses of the district, lawfully incurred, prior to the time moneys to be raised by the first tax levy for the district are available, a sum which shall not exceed five cents ($0.05) on each one hundred dollars ($100) of assessed valuation of taxable property in the district at the time the moneys are borrowed, and to evidence such borrowing by notes bearing interest at a rate not to exceed 7 percent per annum.  The notes shall be payable from the first tax levy made by the district, and the tax levy shall contain a sum sufficient to provide for the payment of the notes and the interest thereon.  The form of the notes, and their issuance and sale, shall be governed by the applicable provisions referred to in Section 103583.