ENGR. S. B. NO. 512 Summary

• Territory may be detached from a municipality by governing body ordinance or by petition signed by at least three-fourths of registered voters and three-fourths in value of property owners, limited to land on municipal borders not subdivided into lots and blocks or annexed within the previous 15 years.

• Detachment petitioners must file an unsigned copy with the municipal clerk before circulation, followed by signed copies within 90 days, with written notice mailed by first class mail to affected property owners and franchise holders at least 30 days after filing.

• Municipal clerk determines petition sufficiency and publishes notice; if insufficient, no action required; if sufficient, governing body must hold a public hearing within 30 days and may approve, deny, or defer the detachment request.

• Property owners seeking detachment must immediately pay all special assessments and execute a mortgage to the municipality equal to their proportional share of outstanding municipal bond issues; failure to comply within 30 days prevents detachment.

• Detachment does not affect ownership or use of easements, rights-of-way, drainage ways, or utility lines; act becomes effective November 1, 2015.