ND HB1342

Governing bodies of cities, counties, school districts, and park districts must adopt preliminary budgets by April 20 each year and publish notice in official newspapers weekly for two consecutive weeks, with final publication by April 30

Preliminary budgets are subject to referral to qualified electors if a petition signed by at least 10 percent of voters (based on last gubernatorial election vote total) is presented to the governing body

Preliminary budgets must include statements showing the percentage and dollar amount of budget increases or decreases compared to the previous year, plus estimated property tax changes for average property owners

If voters disapprove a preliminary budget in a referral election, the final budget cannot exceed the prior year's levy amount increased only by new taxable property growth at the prior year's mill rate

If voters do not disapprove the preliminary budget, the final budget adopted cannot exceed the preliminary budget amount in dollars