Iowa Code Title IX. Local Government [Chs. 331-420] § 384.81. Provisions of city code exclusive--combined utility or enterprise

1. A city which proposes to establish, own, acquire by purchase, condemnation, or otherwise, lease, sell, construct, reconstruct, extend, remodel, improve, repair, equip, maintain and operate within or without its corporate limits a city utility, combined utility system, city enterprise, or combined city enterprise must do so in accordance with the provisions of the city code.

2. If all of the utilities involved in the establishment of a combined utility system are, at the time of establishment, controlled and managed by the same utility board, such utility board shall continue as the governing body of the combined utility system;  otherwise the city council is the governing body of a combined utility system, but a utility board for a combined utility system may be established as provided in chapter 388.  If a combined utility system or combined city enterprise is dissolved, each city utility or city enterprise shall continue in existence as a separate city utility or city enterprise unless the voters additionally authorize the abandonment thereof.  The governing body of a combined utility system which is dissolved shall continue as the governing body of each city utility which was a part of the combined utility system unless changed as provided in chapter 388.  The adding of an additional city utility to an existing combined utility system is the establishment of a new combined utility system and must be approved by the voters of the city as provided in chapter 388, but the governing body of the existing combined utility system shall continue as the governing body of the new combined utility system.

3. A combined utility system or combined city enterprise may be established, but if there are obligations outstanding which by their terms are payable from the revenues of any city utility or city enterprise involved, all such outstanding obligations must be assumed by the governing body of the combined utility system or combined city enterprise subject to all terms established at the time of the original issue, or refunded through the issuance of revenue bonds of the combined utility system or combined city enterprise as a part of the procedure for the establishment of the combined utility system or combined city enterprise, or funds sufficient to pay the principal of and all interest and premium, if any, on such outstanding obligations at and prior to maturity must have been properly set aside and pledged for that purpose.  Any revenues earmarked for payment of the obligations must be handled by the governing body of the combined utility or combined city enterprise in the same manner as they were handled by the governing body of the city utility or city enterprise involved.  A city utility or city enterprise may not be abandoned and a combined utility system or combined city enterprise may not be dissolved so long as there are obligations outstanding which by their terms are payable from the revenues of the city utility, combined utility system, city enterprise, or combined city enterprise unless funds sufficient to pay the principal of and all interest and premium, if any, on such outstanding obligations at and prior to maturity have been properly set aside and pledged for such purpose.