468.151 - ACTIONS -- SETTLEMENT -- COUNSEL.
468.151 ACTIONS -- SETTLEMENT -- COUNSEL. Levee or drainage districts through their governing bodies are authorized to maintain actions in law or equity for the purposes of preventing or recovering damages that may accrue to such districts on account of the impairment of their functions, or the increase in the cost of maintenance or operation of such districts, or on account of damages to property owned by such districts, resulting from the construction or operation of locks, dams and pools in the Mississippi or Missouri rivers; they may make settlements and adjustments of such damages and written contracts with relation thereto, and receive any appropriations that may be made by the Congress of the United States for the increased cost to drainage or levee districts and may agree to the construction and maintenance of present equipment and of new or remedial works, improvements and equipment as a part of such damages, or as a means of lessening the damages which will be suffered by the said districts. Said districts are further authorized to employ legal and engineering counsel for such purposes and to pay for the same out of the award of damages or out of the maintenance funds of the district. If a lump sum settlement is made between the United States and the district to provide an annual payment of income therefrom, the county treasurer of the county in which the greater portion of the district is situated shall be custodian of such principal fund. The governing body of the district shall apply to the district court for authority to invest said fund as provided by section 636.23, in addition to the investments therein approved the court may authorize investment of said fund in interest-bearing bonds or warrants of said district. The income from said fund shall be disbursed by direction of the governing body of the district.
Section History: Early Form [C39, § 7581.1; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, § 455.162]
Section History: Recent Form 89 Acts, ch 126, § 2 CS89, § 468.151