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HomePublic Utilities CodeDiv. 10Pt. 15Ch. 7Art. 1§ 103500 District Bond Issuance Authority

§ 103500 District Bond Issuance Authority

Public Utilities Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 103500 District Bond Issuance Authority

This law says the school district can only borrow money by selling bonds if two‑thirds of the board vote for it and the voters approve it, and the total bonds can’t be more than 15% of the district’s property value.

Key Takeaways

  • •Board must approve bond proposals with a two‑thirds vote.
  • •Voters must vote on the bond proposal in an election.
  • •Total bonds can’t be more than 15% of the district’s assessed property value.
  • •Bonds can’t be longer than 50 years and can’t charge more than 7% interest per year.

Example

A district wants to build a new gym and thinks it needs $250,000. The board votes, then puts the question on the ballot for all voters in the district.

If the voters say yes, the district can issue the bonds, but only if $250,000 is less than 15% of the total assessed value of all homes and land in the district.

How to Calculate

Maximum allowable bonds = 0.15 × Assessed value of taxable property

  1. Find the total assessed value of all taxable property in the district (from the last county assessment roll).
  2. Multiply that number by 0.15 (which is the same as 15%).
  3. The result is the most money the district can borrow through bonds.

The county’s latest assessment says the district’s taxable property is worth $4,000,000.

Result: Maximum allowable bonds = 0.15 × $4,000,000 = $600,000. So the district could issue up to $600,000 in bonds.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 103500 District Bond Issuance Authority

Whenever the board deems it necessary for the district to incur a bonded indebtedness for the acquisition, construction, or repair of any or all improvements, works, property or facilities, authorized by this part or necessary or convenient for the carrying out of the powers of the district, or for any other purpose authorized by this part, it shall, by ordinance, adopted by a vote of two-thirds of all members of the board, so declare and call an election to be held in the district for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters thereof the proposition of incurring indebtedness by the issuance of bonds of the district; provided the total amount of bonds issued and outstanding pursuant to this article shall not exceed 15 percent of the assessed value of the taxable property of the district as shown by the last equalized assessment roll of the county. The ordinance shall state: (a) The purposes for which the proposed debt is to be incurred, which may include all costs and estimated costs incidental to or connected with the accomplishment of such purposes, including, without limitation, engineering, inspection, legal, fiscal agents, financial consultant and other fees, bond and other reserve funds, working capital, bond interest estimated to accrue during the construction period and for a period not to exceed three years thereafter, and expenses of all proceedings for the authorization, issuance, and sale of the bonds. (b) The estimated cost of accomplishing such purposes. (c) The amount of the principal of the indebtedness. (d) The maximum term the bonds proposed to be issued shall run before maturity, which shall not exceed 50 years from the date thereof or the date of each series thereof. (e) The maximum rate of interest to be paid, which shall not exceed 7 percent per annum. (f) The proposition to be submitted to the voters, which may include one or more purposes. (g) The date of the election. (h) The manner of holding the election and the procedure for voting for or against the measure. (i) The ordinance may also contain, a statement that the transaction and use tax imposed pursuant to Article 10 (commencing with Section 103350) of Chapter 5, or a stated portion thereof, shall be levied, or continued to be levied, and used to the extent required to pay the principal of, and interest on, the bonds as they become due, to provide for any sinking fund payments required therefor, or to create or maintain any reserve fund required therefor. (j) The ordinance may also contain any other matters authorized by this part or any other law. (Added by Stats. 1974, Ch. 502.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

bonded indebtednesstwo-thirds vote15 percent of the assessed value50 years7 percent per annum

Related Statutes

  • § 102501 District Bond Issuance Process
  • § 100400 Vta Bond Approval Process
  • § 30900 District Bond Authorization Process
  • § 13202 Bonded Indebtedness For Utilities
  • § 26202 Bonded Indebtedness For Transit

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Public Utilities Code. Section 103500.
View Official Source