Section 46-3-148. Fixing, revising, and collecting fees, tolls, and charges for use of projects; application of revenues; time of payment; indemnity by political subdivisions; enforcement; assignment of payments; issuing resolutions governing disposition of revenues

   (a) For the purpose of earning sufficient revenue to make possible the financing of the construction of the projects of the authority with revenue bonds, the authority is authorized and empowered to fix and revise rates and collect fees, tolls, and charges on each project which it causes to be acquired or constructed. Such rates, fees, tolls, and charges to be paid for the use of the facilities or services of such projects shall be so fixed and adjusted from time to time as to provide a fund which, together with other revenue, if any, of such projects or of the authority, will be sufficient:

   (1) To pay:

      (A) The costs of operating, maintaining, and repairing the projects, including reserves for insurance and extraordinary repairs, reserves for fuel, and other reserves required by the resolution, trust agreement, or indenture pertaining to such bonds and the issuance thereof, unless such costs shall be otherwise provided for;

      (B) The costs of operating and conducting the business of the authority, including salaries; fees for professional services, including legal, engineering, and others; and all expenses properly relating to the conduct of the affairs of the authority;

      (C) The costs of power, whether generated by the authority or acquired from others; and

      (D) All other costs associated with the operation of the authority and its projects and facilities;

   (2) To pay the principal of and interest on such revenue bonds as the same become due, including all premiums, if any, the proceeds of which shall have been or will be used to pay the cost of such projects, which cost shall include all elements of cost authorized by this article, including acquisition of property, whether real or personal, and any interest in property; clearing and preparing land for the purposes of this article; architectural, engineering, financial, and legal services; construction of projects authorized by this article; administrative expenses; funds for initiating the operation of the project; and interest prior to and during construction and during such period of time thereafter as may be reasonably determined by the authority to be necessary to put the project into operation;

   (3) To comply with any sinking fund requirements contained in the resolution, trust agreement, or indenture pertaining to the issuance of and security for such bonds;

   (4) To perform fully all provisions of such resolution, trust agreement, or indenture relating to the issuance of or security for such bonds to the payment of which such revenue is pledged;

   (5) To accumulate any excess income which may be required by the purchasers of such bonds or may be dictated by the requirements of such resolution, trust agreement, or indenture or by the requirements of achieving ready marketability of and low interest rates on such bonds; and

   (6) To pay expenses in connection with such bond issue or such projects, including, but not limited to, trustees' and fiscal fees.

(b) The rates, fees, tolls, and charges authorized by subsection (a) of this Code section shall be payable at such intervals as may be agreed upon and set forth in the contract providing therefor. Any such contract may provide for the commencement of payments, not necessarily based directly on rates, to the authority prior to the completion of the undertaking by the authority of any such project; may provide for the making of payments during such times as such projects may be partially or wholly not in use, whether or not any such project has been completed, is then operable, or is operating; and may provide that such payments shall not be subject to any reduction, by offset or otherwise, and shall not be conditioned upon the performance or nonperformance by any party of any agreement.

(c) Such contract may obligate the political subdivision to indemnify and save harmless the authority from any and all damage to persons and property occurring on or by reason of the project, and may also obligate the political subdivision to undertake, at the expense of the political subdivision, the defense of any action brought against the authority by reason of injury or damages to persons or property occurring on or by reason of the project.

(d) In the event of any failure or refusal on the part of the political subdivision to perform punctually any covenant or obligation contained in any such contract, the authority may enforce performance by any legal or equitable process, including specific performance.

(e) Any payments due or to become due to the authority pursuant to any such contract may be assigned by the authority to a trustee or paying agent as may be required by the terms of the resolution, trust agreement, or indenture relating to the issuance of and security for such bonds.

(f) The use and disposition of the authority's revenue shall be subject to the provisions of the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or of the trust agreement or indenture, if any, securing the same.

Ga. L. 1975, p. 107, § 18; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3, § 46.