As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
 1. “City enterprise” means the same as defined in section 384.24.
 2. “Combined city enterprise” means two or more city enterprises combined and operated as a single enterprise.
 3. “Combined service account” means a customer service account for the provision of two or more utility or enterprise services, regardless of whether those services are being provided by a single city, or by any combination of city utilities, combined utility systems, city enterprises, or combined city enterprises of one or more cities.
 4. “Combined utility system” means two or more city utilities owned by a single city, and combined and operated as a single system.
 5. “Governing body” means the public body which by law is charged with the management and control of a city utility, combined utility system, city enterprise, or combined city enterprise. The council is the governing body of each city utility, combined utility system, city enterprise, or combined city enterprise, except that a utility board, as provided in chapter 388, is the governing body of the city utility, city utilities or combined utility system which it operates.
 6. “Gross revenue” means all income and receipts derived from the operation of a city utility, combined utility system, city enterprise, or combined city enterprise.
 7. “Landlord” means the owner of record of a rental property, or a real estate manager or management company appointed by the owner to administer rental property.
 8. “Net revenues” means gross revenues less operating expenses.
 9. “Operating expense” means salaries, wages, cost of maintenance and operation, materials, supplies, insurance and all other items normally included under recognized accounting practices, but does not include allowances for depreciation in the value of physical property.
 10. “Owner” means the owner of record as reflected in the records of the county treasurer.
 11. “Pledge order” means a promise to pay out of the net revenues of a city utility, combined utility system, city enterprise, or combined city enterprise, which is delivered to the contractors or other persons in payment of all or part of the cost of the project.
 12. “Project” means the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, extending, remodeling, improving, repairing, and equipping of all or part of a city utility, combined utility system, city enterprise, or combined city enterprise, or a water resource restoration project within or without the corporate limits of the city.
 13. “Rates” means rates, fees, tolls, rentals, and charges for the use of or service provided by a city utility, combined utility system, city enterprise, or combined city enterprise.
 14. “Revenue bond” means a negotiable bond issued by a city and payable from the net revenues of a city utility, combined utility system, city enterprise, or combined city enterprise.
 15. “Water resource restoration project” means the acquisition of real property or improvements or other activity or undertaking that will assist in improving the quality of the water in the watershed where a city water or wastewater utility is located.