(a) The board of a mutual water company that operates a public water system shall adopt, in an open meeting, an annual budget on or before the start of each fiscal year of the mutual water company.
(b) The board of a mutual water company that operates a public water system shall contract with a certified public accountant or public accountant to conduct an annual review of the financial records and reports of the mutual water company. The review shall be subject to generally accepted accounting standards.
(c) Eligible persons may request a copy of the report, and shall reimburse the mutual water company for the costs of providing the report.
(d) For purposes of this section, the term “eligible persons” has the same meaning as that term is defined in subdivision (o) of Section 14305.