Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 33, § 3818. Powers of board of commissioners

A. The board of commissioners of the waterworks district shall have absolute control and authority over the waterworks in the district and shall adopt by-laws, rules and regulations for the proper conduct and operation of a waterworks system in their district. The board may employ the necessary labor for directing and installing a waterworks system in their district and may employ the services of an attorney when necessary and fix his fees or his salary.

B. The board may effect improvement in the water system and for this purpose enter into contracts for the performance of work or the purchase of machinery. The board itself may supervise work under its contracts, or may delegate the supervision to a licensed engineer who shall be a citizen of Louisiana.

C. Out of the funds deposited with the board by purchasers of water service as security to protect the board from loss by reason of extending water service to such purchasers, the board may make purchases of additional new water meters or water meters to replace those already in use; provided, however, that at least ten per cent of the total amount of such funds on deposit with the board at any one time shall be maintained in a cash reserve which shall not be used or encumbered for the purchase of water meters.