North Carolina § 159-44 - Definitions.

§ 159-44. Definitions.

The words and phrases defined in this section shall have the meanings indicated when used in this Article, unless the context clearly requires another meaning: "Finance officer" means the officer performing the duties of finance officer of a unit of local government pursuant to G.S. 159-24 of the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act. "Governing board" or "board" means the governing body of a unit of local government. "Sinking fund" means a fund held for the retirement of term bonds. "Unit," "unit of local government," or "local government" means counties; cities, towns, and incorporated villages; consolidated city-counties, as defined by G.S. 160B-2(1); sanitary districts; mosquito control districts; hospital districts; merged school administrative units described in G.S. 115C-513; metropolitan sewerage districts; metropolitan water districts; metropolitan water and sewerage districts; county water and sewer districts; regional public transportation authorities; and special airport districts. "Utility or public service enterprise" includes: Electric power transmission and distribution systems; Water supply facilities and distribution systems; Sewage collection and disposal systems; Gas transmission and distribution systems; Public transportation systems, including but not limited to bus lines, ferries, and mass transit systems; Solid waste collection and disposal systems and facilities; Cable television systems; Off-street parking facilities and systems; Public auditoriums, coliseums, stadiums and convention centers; Airport; Hospitals and other health-related facilities; and Structural and natural stormwater and drainage systems of all types. History (1971, c. 780, s. 1; 1973, c. 494, s. 3; 1977, c. 466, s. 2; 1979, c. 727, s. 2; 1989, c. 643, s. 3; c. 740, s. 3; 1991, c. 325, s. 4; 1995, c. 461, s. 10; 1997-456, s. 27; 2013-50, s. 3.) Editor's Note. - Session Laws 1991, c. 325, s. 9 interpreted the 1991 amendment to this section, which inserted "merged school administrative units described in G.S. 115C-513" in subdivision (4), by providing: "Interpretation of Act." "(a) Additional method. The foregoing sections of this act shall be deemed to provide an additional and alternative method for the doing of things authorized thereby and shall be regarded as supplemental and additional to powers conferred by other laws, and shall not be regarded as in derogation of any powers now existing. "(b) Statutory references. References in this act to specific sections or Chapters of the General Statutes are intended to be references to such sections as they may be amended from time to time by the General Assembly. "(c) Liberal construction. This act, being necessary for the health and welfare of the people of the State, shall be liberally construed to effect these purposes. "(d) Inconsistent provisions. Insofar as the provisions of this act are inconsistent with the provisions of any general laws, this act shall be controlling. "(e) Severability. If any provision of this act or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this act are severable." Subdivisions (5)(i) through (5)(xii) of this section were renumbered as subdivisions (5)a. through (5)l. pursuant to Session Laws 1997-456, s. 27 which authorized the Revisor of Statutes to renumber or reletter sections and parts of sections having a number or letter designation that is incompatible with the General Assembly's computer database.