§ 40-01.1-03 — Cooperative advisory study committee

North Dakota § 40-01.1-03

• Jurisdiction: North Dakota
• Title 40: Municipal Government
• Ch. 40-01.1: Local Governance Advisory Study

Text

1. The governing bodies of any two or more political subdivisions, including any
combination of counties, cities, city park districts, townships, school districts, or other
political subdivisions, may establish an advisory committee to study the potential for
cooperative or combined efforts for providing local government functions and services.
A cooperative advisory study committee is established:
a. By execution of a joint powers agreement between participating political
subdivisions or by joint resolution pursuant to separate majority votes of each
participating governing body; or
b. By petitions signed by ten percent or more of the total number of qualified
electors of each affected political subdivision voting for governor at the most
recent gubernatorial election and submitted to the governing bodies.
2. The composition and duration of the advisory study committee is as prescribed in the
joint powers agreement, resolutions of the governing bodies, or petitions. However, the
governing bodies may agree, by joint resolution, to limit the duration or composition of
the advisory study committee created by petition pursuant to subdivision b of
subsection 1. Any vacancy may be filled as prescribed in the agreement, resolution, or
petitions or, if not prescribed, by the governing body that was represented by the
person vacating the position.
3. A governing body may agree to provide office and meeting space and legal, clerical,
facilitation, training, and other assistance to the study committee, and may appropriate
funds in its final budget, or expend any unexpended balances in its general fund
otherwise designated for current expenditure, for the necessary expenses of the
advisory study committee. The committee, with the approval of the governing body,
may:
a. Employ and fix the compensation and duties of necessary staff;
b. Contract and cooperate with other individuals and public or private agencies
considered necessary for assistance, including institutions of higher education;
c. Establish advisory subcommittees that may include persons who are not
members of the study committee;
d. Hold public hearings and community forums and use other suitable means to
disseminate information, receive suggestions and comments, and encourage
public discussion of the committee's purpose, progress, conclusions, and
recommendations; and
e. Do any other act consistent with and reasonably required to perform its advisory
function.