As soon as reasonably possible after organizing a district, the board shall file with the department of water resources copies of the plans and specifications for, and estimates of the cost of, any improvements authorized by this chapter which the board proposes to construct or acquire. The board shall determine a reasonable fee that each member shall pay for the privilege of utilizing the district’s facilities, which shall be known as a benefit unit. By publication in the official county newspaper of each county in which all or part of the district is located, the board shall describe generally the planned improvements, the area to be served, and the fee members will be required to pay for each service connected to the water system.