Counties may construct, purchase, condemn, operate, and maintain ferries or wharves, and the related boats, ground, roads, approaches, and landings, at any unfordable stream, lake, estuary, or bay that is within the county, bordering the county, between portions of the county, or between the county and another county.  A county ferry may be controlled by the county commissioners, who may determine whether the use of the ferry or wharf is free or requires the payment of a toll.  Alternatively, a county legislative authority may instead create a county ferry district to operate its ferry system, with the members of the county legislative authority acting as the governing body of the ferry district.  

Public work includes any construction, alteration, repair, or improvement, other than ordinary maintenance, that is paid for by a government entity other than certain special purpose districts.  With some exceptions, contracts involving public works generally have to be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder for the contract.  Depending on the contracting entity and the value of the project, less stringent bidding processes may also be available, including the use of small works rosters or other less formal bidding procedures.

A unit priced contract is a competitively bid contract for recurring public work in which a contractor agrees to an indefinite quantity and frequency of work, with payment based on a defined hourly rate or price for each unit of work completed during a set period.  For example, a unit priced contract for concrete might include a set price for each cubic foot of concrete that is poured during the term of the contract.  Counties may utilize unit priced contracts when contracting for public works.  A unit priced contract cannot be for a period of more than one year, with a county-option to renew the contract for an additional year.

A unit priced contract for the maintenance or repair of a ferry owned by a county ferry or county ferry district may be for a term of up to 10 years.