§ 2.9. City utilities—Ownership and services

Said city shall have the power to buy, own, or construct and to maintain and operate within or without the city limits, complete water system or systems, gas or electric lighting or power plant or plants, telephone or telegraph systems, street railways, sewage plants, fertilizing plants, abattoirs, municipal railway terminals, or any other public service utility and to demand and receive compensation for services furnished by the city for private purposes or otherwise, and to have the power to regulate, by ordinance, the collection of compensation for such services. Said city shall have the power to acquire by lease, purchase or condemnation, the property of any person, firm or corporation now or hereafter conducting any such business, for the purpose of operating and maintaining such public utility or utilities, and for the purpose of distributing such service within or without the city or any portion thereof.