Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a district which has owned and operated a water distribution or sewage disposal system for at least eight years and which has a population of 250,000 or more may enter into contracts commonly known as “interest rate swap agreements” or “forward payment conversion agreements” with any person providing for the exchange of payments between the person and the district including, without limitation, contracts providing for the exchange of fixed interest payments for floating payments or floating interest payments for fixed payments, or a combination thereof, after giving due consideration for
the creditworthiness of the counter parties, where applicable, including any rating by a nationally recognized agency or such other criteria as may be appropriate. The contracts may be made upon the terms and conditions established by the board. The authority conferred by this section includes the authority to enter into any and all contracts incident to the exercise of the authority conferred by this section including, without limitation, contracts to obtain credit enhancement devices and contracts for the performance of professional services.