ACQUISITION OF PERMIT RIGHTS

(a) Using any available district money, including bond proceeds, the district may pay all expenses related to the acquisition of a certificate of public convenience and necessity from another retail public utility and any other permit rights necessary to provide the city authority to provide retail water or sewer service in the district. The acquisition, by purchase or otherwise, may be made by the district on behalf of and for transfer to the city or by the city directly. (b) In relation to a retail public utility that provides water or sewer service to all or part of the area of the district under a certificate of public convenience and necessity, the district may exercise the powers given to a municipality provided by Section 13.255, Water Code, as if the district were a municipality that had annexed the area of the district. The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall grant single certification as to the city as provided by Section 13.255(c), Water Code, in the event that the district applies for the certification on the city's behalf in the manner provided by Section 13.255(b), Water Code. (c) The city may contract with the district to carry out the purposes of this section without further authorization.