(a)
The sum of twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) of the money in the fund shall be deposited in the Small Communities Grant Account and, notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, is hereby continuously appropriated for state grants to small communities for construction of treatment works eligible for assistance under Title VI of the federal act.
(b)
The board may enter into grant contracts in accordance with this section with qualifying small communities having authority to construct, operate, and maintain treatment works to aid in the construction of eligible projects.
(c)
The board may make grants to small communities in an amount on a sliding scale, based on a community’s ability to pay, not to exceed 9712 percent of the total estimated cost of pollution studies, planning, design, and construction determined in accordance with applicable state laws and regulations. Total state assistance under this section shall not exceed two million dollars ($2,000,000) for any single eligible project.
(d)
Any contract entered into pursuant to this section may include such provisions as may be determined by the board, provided that any contract shall include the following provisions:
(1)
An estimate of the reasonable cost of the eligible project.
(2)
An agreement by the small community to proceed expeditiously with, and complete, the proposed eligible project, commence operation of the treatment works upon completion, and to properly operate and maintain the works in accordance with applicable provisions of law.
(e)
Small communities eligible for a state grant may also apply for a loan from the State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund for costs not covered by the grant.