Within 10 days after the establishment of the district, the governing body shall advertise for bids for installing and maintaining the system and for servicing the same. The contract shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. However, the rates to be paid shall not exceed the lawful rates applicable for the particular class of service and when necessary shall be those authorized by the Public Utilities Commission of the State of California. The contract for service shall be for a period not less than three years from and after the date electric energy and service is first delivered to the lighting district pursuant to such contract and shall be extended automatically thereafter for successive terms of one year each; provided, that the agreement may be terminated by either party upon not less than sixty (60) days’ written notice prior to the expiration date of the original term or any extended term. The governing body shall reserve the right to abrogate the contract whenever service is offered to be supplied at two-thirds of the fixed contract price.
No advertising for bids or awarding of the contract based thereon shall be required when the proposed contract includes the furnishing of electric energy, and the entire area of the district is served, or will be so served, by a single public utility whose rates are subject to regulation by the Public Utilities Commission.