48.01.010 Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this Public Services Act is to create a Department of Public Services to bring transparency, accountability, and community involvement into delivering public services at affordable, fair, and reasonable rates.

The Purpose of the Department shall be to:

(a) provide safe and adequate public utility services to the people at the lowest practicable rates;

(b) regulate, build, manage, operate, maintain, or replace systems consistent with applicable law to provide public utility services for the Turtle Mountain Tribe, its territory, and its members;

(c) coordinate the Department's activities with all other tribal Departments and Programs, any federal or state entities, and any private public service providers whose work affects public service and utilities;

(d) create and implement a "Master Public Utility Records System" which shall include a system recording all existing and future utility infrastructure; and

(e) create and implement a one year, a five year, and a twenty year "Master Public Service and Utility Plan" for all pending or proposed or future projects requiring public service and utility infrastructure.