The words and phrases defined in this section shall have the meanings indicated when used in this Article, unless the context clearly requires another meaning:

(1)        “Finance officer” means the officer performing the duties of finance officer of a unit of local government pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 159-24 of the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act.

(2)        “Governing board” or “board” means the governing body of a unit of local government.

(3)        “Sinking fund” means a fund held for the retirement of term bonds.

(4)        “Unit,” “unit of local government,” or “local government” means counties; cities, towns, and incorporated villages; consolidated city-counties, as defined by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160B-2(1); sanitary districts; mosquito control districts; hospital districts; merged school administrative units described in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-513; metropolitan sewerage districts; metropolitan water districts; metropolitan water and sewerage districts; county water and sewer districts; regional public transportation authorities; and special airport districts.

(5)        “Utility or public service enterprise” includes:

a.         Electric power transmission and distribution systems;

b.         Water supply facilities and distribution systems;

c.         Sewage collection and disposal systems;

d.         Gas transmission and distribution systems;

e.         Public transportation systems, including but not limited to bus lines, ferries, and mass transit systems;

f.          Solid waste collection and disposal systems and facilities;

g.         Cable television systems;

h.         Off-street parking facilities and systems;

i.          Public auditoriums, coliseums, stadiums and convention centers;

j.          Airport;

k.         Hospitals and other health-related facilities; and

l.          Structural and natural stormwater and drainage systems of all types. ?(1971, c. 780, s. 1; 1973, c. 494, s. 3; 1977, c. 466, s. 2; 1979, c. 727, s. 2; 1989, c. 643, s. 3; c. 740, s. 3; 1991, c. 325, s. 4; 1995, c. 461, s. 10; 1997-456, s. 27; 2013-50, s. 3.)