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S.B. 18

             1     

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CERTIFICATION OF

             2     
SPECIAL DISTRICT AND LOCAL DISTRICT

             3     
ANNEXATIONS, WITHDRAWALS, AND DISSOLUTIONS

             4     
2003 GENERAL SESSION

             5     
STATE OF UTAH

             6     
Sponsor: David L. Gladwell

             7      This act modifies special district and local district provisions to provide a procedure for
             8      lieutenant governor certification of annexations, withdrawals, and dissolutions for
             9      certain special districts and for local districts. The act requires the appropriate local
             10      body to send notice of the annexation, withdrawal, or dissolution to the lieutenant
             11      governor and requires the lieutenant governor to issue a certificate of annexation,
             12      withdrawal, or dissolution and to send a copy of the applicable certificate to specified
             13      state and local agencies. The act also makes technical changes.
             14      This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
             15      AMENDS:
             16          17A-2-1311, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
             17          17A-2-1327, as last amended by Chapter 322, Laws of Utah 1997
             18          17A-2-1329, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 186, Laws of Utah 1990
             19          17B-2-512, as enacted by Chapter 90, Laws of Utah 2001
             20          17B-2-514, as enacted by Chapter 90, Laws of Utah 2001
             21          17B-2-515, as enacted by Chapter 90, Laws of Utah 2001
             22          17B-2-516, as enacted by Chapter 90, Laws of Utah 2001
             23          17B-2-610, as enacted by Chapter 284, Laws of Utah 2002
             24          17B-2-708, as enacted by Chapter 90, Laws of Utah 2001
             25      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             26          Section 1. Section 17A-2-1311 is amended to read:
             27           17A-2-1311. Adoption of resolution -- Judicial review.



             28          (1) (a) After conclusion of the hearing, and after the time for filing protests as provided
             29      in Section 17A-2-1309 has expired, the governing authority shall adopt a resolution either
             30      [establishing the] approving the establishment of the special service district or determining that
             31      the proposal to establish it should be abandoned.
             32          (b) A resolution [establishing a] approving the establishment of a special service
             33      district may contain any changes from the initial resolution or notice of intention the governing
             34      authority determines to be appropriate, including reduction of the boundaries of the special
             35      service district and elimination of one or more of the types of services proposed.
             36          (c) The boundaries of the special service district may not be increased nor additional
             37      types of services added, unless the governing authority gives a new notice of intention and
             38      holds a new hearing.
             39          (d) All or a part of the area of an abandoned special service district may be included in
             40      a new special service district established in the manner provided in this part.
             41          (2) (a) Within 90 days after adopting a resolution approving the establishment of a
             42      special service district under Subsection (1), the governing authority shall file a notice with the
             43      lieutenant governor.
             44          (b) Each notice under Subsection (2)(a) shall:
             45          (i) be accompanied by:
             46          (A) a copy of the resolution adopted by the governing authority approving the
             47      establishment of the special service district; and
             48          (B) a map showing the boundaries of the special service district, prepared and certified
             49      by a licensed surveyor; and
             50          (ii) include a certification by the governing authority that all requirements for the
             51      establishment of a special service district have been complied with.
             52          (c) Within ten days after receiving the notice under Subsection (2)(a), the lieutenant
             53      governor shall:
             54          (i) issue a certificate of incorporation for the new special service district and send a
             55      copy of the certificate to the governing authority, the State Tax Commission, and the state
             56      auditor; and
             57          (ii) send a copy of the notice under Subsection (2)(a), including the accompanying
             58      map, to the State Tax Commission.


             59          (d) Upon the lieutenant governor's issuance of the certificate of incorporation, the
             60      special service district is created and incorporated.
             61          [(2)] (3) After a special service district is established, a person may petition the district
             62      court for a writ of review of the actions of the governing authority in establishing the district if:
             63          (a) (i) the person filed a written protest; or
             64          (ii) the person filed a written protest, withdrew the protest, and then cancelled the
             65      withdrawal; and
             66          (b) (i) the person is a qualified voter residing within the district; or
             67          (ii) the person is a qualified voter whose property has been included within the
             68      boundaries of the special service district; and
             69          (c) the petition is filed within 30 days after the date of the resolution establishing the
             70      special service district; and
             71          (d) (i) the petition alleges that the person's property will not be [benefited] benefitted
             72      by one or more of the services to be provided by the special service district; or
             73          (ii) the petition alleges that the procedures used to establish the special service district
             74      violated the law.
             75          [(3)] (4) If a petition for a writ of review is not filed within the time limits established
             76      by this section, owners of property and qualified voters within the special service district may
             77      not object to the establishment of the district.
             78          [(4)] (5) The governing authority may consider the voter registration records of the
             79      county as conclusive evidence of residency in the special service district.
             80          Section 2. Section 17A-2-1327 is amended to read:
             81           17A-2-1327. Adding additional services -- Annexing additional area.
             82          (1) Subject to the provisions of Subsections (2) and (3), after the establishment of a
             83      special service district, additional services from that specified in the resolution establishing the
             84      district may be added and additional area from that specified in the resolution may be annexed
             85      to the district by using the procedure provided for in this part for the establishment of the
             86      district with appropriate changes in the wording of the required instruments.
             87          (2) (a) Notwithstanding Subsection (1), additional services may not be added and
             88      additional area may not be annexed to the special service district and the governing authority
             89      shall abandon the additional services or annexation proceedings if written protests are filed at


             90      or before the hearing by:
             91          (i) with respect to proceedings to add services:
             92          (A) the owners of more than 50% of the taxable value of the taxable property within
             93      the district; or
             94          (B) more than 50% of the qualified electors of the district; or
             95          (ii) with respect to proceedings to annex new area:
             96          (A) the owners of more than 50% of the taxable value of the taxable property within
             97      the area to be annexed; or
             98          (B) more than 50% of the qualified electors of the area to be annexed.
             99          (b) (i) The determination of owners, properties, and taxable value under Subsection
             100      (2)(a) shall be according to the assessment rolls last completed before the adoption of the
             101      resolution proposing the addition of services or annexation.
             102          (ii) The determination of qualified electors under Subsection (2)(a) shall be from the
             103      registration lists last made or revised before the adoption of the resolution proposing the
             104      addition of services or annexation.
             105          (3) (a) Notwithstanding Subsection (1), the notice, hearing, and protest requirements of
             106      Sections 17A-2-1307 , 17A-2-1308 , and 17A-2-1309 do not apply if a petition for additional
             107      services or annexation of additional area is filed with the governing body of the special service
             108      district containing the signatures of all owners of all taxable real property:
             109          (i) within the special service district, if the petition is for additional services; or
             110          (ii) within the area proposed to be annexed, if the petition is for annexation of
             111      additional area.
             112          (b) For purposes of Subsection (3)(a), the owners of taxable property shall be
             113      determined according to the assessment roll last completed before the filing of the petition.
             114          (4) (a) If the governing authority adopts a resolution approving the annexation of
             115      additional area, the governing authority shall, within 90 days after adopting the resolution, file
             116      a notice with the lieutenant governor.
             117          (b) The notice required under Subsection (4)(a) shall:
             118          (i) be accompanied by:
             119          (A) a copy of the resolution adopted by the governing authority approving the
             120      annexation of additional area; and


             121          (B) a map showing the additional area to be annexed by the special service district,
             122      prepared and certified by a licensed surveyor; and
             123          (ii) include a certification by the governing authority that all requirements for the
             124      annexation of the additional area have been complied with.
             125          (c) Within ten days after receiving the notice under Subsection (4)(a), the lieutenant
             126      governor shall:
             127          (i) issue a certificate of annexation and send a copy of the certificate to the governing
             128      authority, the State Tax Commission, and the state auditor; and
             129          (ii) send a copy of the notice under Subsection (4)(a), including the accompanying
             130      map, to the State Tax Commission.
             131          (d) Upon the lieutenant governor's issuance of the certificate of annexation, the
             132      additional area that is the subject of the governing authority's resolution is annexed to the
             133      special service district.
             134          Section 3. Section 17A-2-1329 is amended to read:
             135           17A-2-1329. Dissolution of district -- Withdrawal of area from district.
             136          (1) A special service district may not be dissolved nor areas withdrawn from the
             137      district if any bonds, notes, or other obligations of the district are outstanding and unpaid or if
             138      any contractual obligation to provide the services exists.
             139          (2) Subject to the limitation in Subsection (1), the governing authority of the special
             140      service district may by resolution:
             141          (a) [Dissolve] approve the dissolution of the district upon a determination that the
             142      district is no longer needed for the purposes for which it was formed; or
             143          (b) [Withdraw] approve the withdrawal of specifically described areas from the special
             144      service district upon a determination that these areas should not or cannot be supplied with the
             145      services of the special service district.
             146          (3) (a) Within 90 days after the adoption of a resolution approving a dissolution or
             147      withdrawal under Subsection (2), the governing authority shall file a notice with the lieutenant
             148      governor.
             149          (b) The notice required under Subsection (3)(a) shall:
             150          (i) be accompanied by:
             151          (A) a copy of the resolution adopted by the governing authority approving the


             152      dissolution or withdrawal; and
             153          (B) in the case of a withdrawal, a map showing the area to be withdrawn, prepared and
             154      certified by a licensed surveyor; and
             155          (ii) include a certification by the governing authority that all requirements for the
             156      dissolution or withdrawal have been complied with.
             157          (c) Within ten days after receiving the notice under Subsection (3)(a), the lieutenant
             158      governor shall:
             159          (i) issue a certificate of dissolution or withdrawal, as the case may be, and send a copy
             160      of the certificate to the governing authority, the State Tax Commission, and the state auditor;
             161      and
             162          (ii) in the case of a withdrawal, send a copy of the notice under Subsection (3)(a),
             163      including the accompanying map, to the State Tax Commission.
             164          (d) (i) Upon the lieutenant governor's issuance of the certificate of dissolution, the
             165      special service district is dissolved.
             166          (ii) Upon the lieutenant governor's issuance of the certificate of withdrawal, the area to
             167      be withdrawn that is the subject of the governing authority's resolution is withdrawn from the
             168      special service district.
             169          Section 4. Section 17B-2-512 is amended to read:
             170           17B-2-512. Protests -- Election.
             171          (1) (a) Except as provided in Section 17B-2-513 and except for an annexation under
             172      Section 17B-2-515 , an owner of private real property located within or a registered voter
             173      residing within an area proposed to be annexed may protest an annexation by filing a written
             174      protest with the board of trustees of the proposed annexing local district.
             175          (b) A protest of a boundary adjustment is not governed by this section but is governed
             176      by Section 17B-2-516 .
             177          (2) Each protest under Subsection (1)(a) shall be filed within 30 days after the date of
             178      the public hearing under Section 17B-2-509 .
             179          (3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (4), the local district shall hold an election on
             180      the proposed annexation if timely protests are filed by:
             181          (i) the owners of private real property that:
             182          (A) is located within the area proposed to be annexed;


             183          (B) covers at least 10% of the total private land area within the entire area proposed to
             184      be annexed and within each applicable area; and
             185          (C) is equal in assessed value to at least 10% of the assessed value of all private real
             186      property within the entire area proposed to be annexed and within each applicable area; or
             187          (ii) registered voters residing within the entire area proposed to be annexed and within
             188      each applicable area equal in number to at least 10% of the number of votes cast within the
             189      entire area proposed for annexation and within each applicable area, respectively, for the office
             190      of governor at the last regular general election before the filing of the petition.
             191          (b) Except as otherwise provided in this part, each election under Subsection (3)(a)
             192      shall be governed by Title 20A, Election Code.
             193          (c) If a majority of registered voters residing within the area proposed to be annexed
             194      and voting on the proposal vote:
             195          (i) in favor of annexation, the board of trustees shall, subject to Subsections
             196      17B-2-514 (1)(b), (2), and (3), complete the annexation by adopting a resolution [annexing]
             197      approving annexation of the area; or
             198          (ii) against annexation, the annexation process is terminated, the board may not adopt a
             199      resolution [annexing] approving annexation of the area, and the area proposed to be annexed
             200      may not for two years be the subject of an effort under this part to annex to the same local
             201      district.
             202          (4) If sufficient protests are filed under this section to require an election, a board of
             203      trustees may, notwithstanding Subsection (3), adopt a resolution rejecting the annexation and
             204      terminating the annexation process without holding an election.
             205          Section 5. Section 17B-2-514 is amended to read:
             206           17B-2-514. Resolution approving an annexation -- Notice of annexation -- When
             207      annexation complete.
             208          (1) (a) Subject to Subsection (1)(b), the local district board shall adopt a resolution
             209      [annexing] approving the annexation of the area proposed to be annexed or rejecting the
             210      proposed annexation within 30 days after:
             211          (i) expiration of the protest period under Subsection 17B-2-512 (2), if sufficient protests
             212      to require an election are not filed;
             213          (ii) for a petition that meets the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-513 (1):


             214          (A) a public hearing under Section 17B-2-509 is held, if the board chooses or is
             215      required to hold a public hearing under Subsection 17B-2-513 (2)(a)(ii); or
             216          (B) expiration of the time for submitting a request for public hearing under Subsection
             217      17B-2-513 (2)(a)(ii)(B), if no request is submitted and the board chooses not to hold a public
             218      hearing.
             219          (b) If the local district has entered into an agreement with the United States that
             220      requires the consent of the United States for an annexation of territory to the district, [an] a
             221      resolution approving annexation under this part may not [occur] be adopted until the written
             222      consent of the United States is obtained and filed with the board of trustees.
             223          (2) (a) Within [ten] 90 days after adoption of [an annexation] a resolution under
             224      Subsection (1), Subsection 17B-2-512 (3)(c)(i), or Section 17B-2-515 , or a boundary
             225      adjustment resolution under Subsection 17B-2-516 (4), the board shall[: (a)] file a notice with
             226      the lieutenant governor.
             227          (b) The notice required under Subsection (2)(a) shall:
             228          (i) be accompanied by:
             229          (A) a copy of the board resolution approving the annexation; and
             230          (B) an accurate map depicting the boundaries of the area to be annexed or a legal
             231      description of the area to be annexed, adequate for purposes of the county assessor and
             232      recorder; and
             233          (ii) include a certification by the local district board that all requirements for the
             234      annexation have been complied with.
             235          (c) Within ten days after receiving the notice under Subsection (2)(a), the lieutenant
             236      governor shall:
             237          (i) issue a certificate of annexation and send a copy of the certificate to the local district
             238      board, the State Tax Commission, the state auditor, and the assessor and recorder of each
             239      county in which any part of the annexed area is located; and
             240          (ii) send a [written] copy of the notice [of annexation with] under Subsection (2)(a),
             241      including the accompanying map or legal description, to the State Tax Commission[, the
             242      lieutenant governor,] and the assessor and recorder of [the] each county in which any part of
             243      the annexed area is located[, accompanied by an accurate map or legal description of the
             244      boundaries of the area being annexed, adequate for purposes of the county assessor and


             245      recorder; and].
             246          [(b) prepare and execute a certificate acknowledging that the notices required under
             247      Subsection (2)(a) have been filed, and maintain the certificate with the district records.]
             248          (3) The annexation shall be complete [on the date indicated in the certificate required
             249      under Subsection (2)(b) as the date on which the board filed the notices required under
             250      Subsection (2)(a)] upon the lieutenant governor's issuance of the certificate of annexation under
             251      Subsection (2)(c).
             252          Section 6. Section 17B-2-515 is amended to read:
             253           17B-2-515. Annexation of wholesale district through expansion of retail provider.
             254          (1) (a) A local district that provides a wholesale service may adopt a resolution
             255      [annexing] approving the annexation of an area outside the local district's boundaries if:
             256          (i) the area is annexed by or otherwise added to a municipality, an independent special
             257      district, or another local district that:
             258          (A) acquires the wholesale service from the local district and provides it as a retail
             259      service;
             260          (B) is, before the annexation or other addition, located at least partly within the local
             261      district; and
             262          (C) after the annexation or other addition will provide to the annexed or added area the
             263      same retail service that the local district provides as a wholesale service to the municipality,
             264      independent special district, or other local district; and
             265          (ii) except as provided in Subsection (2), no part of the area is within the boundaries of
             266      an independent special district under Title 17A, Chapter 2, Independent Special Districts, or
             267      another local district that provides the same wholesale service as the proposed annexing local
             268      district.
             269          (b) For purposes of this section:
             270          (i) a local district providing transportation service shall be considered to be providing a
             271      wholesale service; and
             272          (ii) a municipality included within the boundaries of the local district providing
             273      transportation service shall be considered to be acquiring that wholesale service from the local
             274      district and providing it as a retail service and to be providing that retail service after the
             275      annexation or other addition to the annexed or added area, even though the municipality does


             276      not in fact provide that service.
             277          (2) Notwithstanding Subsection (1)(a)(ii), an area outside the boundaries of a local
             278      district providing a wholesale service and located partly or entirely within the boundaries of an
             279      independent special district or another local district that provides the same wholesale service
             280      may be annexed to the local district if:
             281          (a) the conditions under Subsection (1)(a)(i) are present; and
             282          (b) the proposed annexing local district and the independent special district or other
             283      local district follow the same procedure as is required for a boundary adjustment under Section
             284      17B-2-516 , including both district boards adopting a resolution approving the annexation of the
             285      area to the proposed annexing local district and the withdrawal of that area from the other
             286      district.
             287          (3) Upon the adoption of an annexation resolution under this section, the board of the
             288      annexing local district shall comply with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-514 (2), and the
             289      lieutenant governor shall issue a certificate of annexation and send a copy of notice as provided
             290      in Subsection 17B-2-514 (2)(c).
             291          (4) Subsection 17B-2-514 (3) applies to an annexation under this section.
             292          Section 7. Section 17B-2-516 is amended to read:
             293           17B-2-516. Boundary adjustment -- Notice and hearing -- Protest -- Resolution
             294      adjusting boundaries -- Notice of the adjustment.
             295          (1) As used in this section, "affected area" means the area located within the
             296      boundaries of one local district that will be removed from that local district and [be] included
             297      within the boundaries of another local district because of [the] a boundary adjustment under
             298      this section.
             299          (2) The boards of trustees of two or more local districts having a common boundary
             300      and providing the same service on the same wholesale or retail basis may adjust their common
             301      boundary as provided in this section.
             302          (3) (a) The board of trustees of each local district intending to adjust a boundary that is
             303      common with another local district shall:
             304          (i) adopt a resolution indicating the board's intent to adjust a common boundary;
             305          (ii) hold a public hearing on the proposed boundary adjustment no less than 60 days
             306      after the adoption of the resolution under Subsection (3)(a)(i); and


             307          (iii) (A) (I) publish notice once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of
             308      general circulation within the local district; or
             309          (II) if there is no newspaper of general circulation within the local district, post notice
             310      in at least four conspicuous places within the local district; or
             311          (B) mail a notice to each owner of property located within the affected area and to each
             312      registered voter residing within the affected area.
             313          (b) The notice required under Subsection (3)(a)(iii) shall:
             314          (i) state that the board of trustees of the local district has adopted a resolution
             315      indicating the board's intent to adjust a boundary that the local district has in common with
             316      another local district that provides the same service as the local district;
             317          (ii) describe the affected area;
             318          (iii) state the date, time, and location of the public hearing required under Subsection
             319      (3)(a)(ii);
             320          (iv) provide a local district telephone number where additional information about the
             321      proposed boundary adjustment may be obtained;
             322          (v) explain the financial and service impacts of the boundary adjustment on property
             323      owners or residents within the affected area; and
             324          (vi) state in conspicuous and plain terms that the board of trustees may [adjust]
             325      approve the adjustment of the boundaries unless, at or before the public hearing under
             326      Subsection (3)(a)(ii), written protests to the adjustment are filed with the board by:
             327          (A) the owners of private real property that:
             328          (I) is located within the affected area;
             329          (II) covers at least 50% of the total private land area within the affected area; and
             330          (III) is equal in assessed value to at least 50% of the assessed value of all private real
             331      property within the affected area; or
             332          (B) registered voters residing within the affected area equal in number to at least 50%
             333      of the votes cast in the affected area for the office of governor at the last regular general
             334      election before the filing of the protests.
             335          (c) The first publication of the notice required under Subsection (3)(a)(iii)(A) shall be
             336      within 14 days after the board's adoption of a resolution under Subsection (3)(a)(i).
             337          (d) The boards of trustees of the local districts whose boundaries are being adjusted


             338      may jointly:
             339          (i) publish, post, or mail the notice required under Subsection (3)(a)(iii); and
             340          (ii) hold the public hearing required under Subsection (3)(a)(ii).
             341          (4) After the public hearing required under Subsection (3)(a)(ii), the board of trustees
             342      may adopt a resolution [adjusting] approving the adjustment of the common boundary unless,
             343      at or before the public hearing, written protests to the boundary adjustment have been filed
             344      with the board by:
             345          (a) the owners of private real property that:
             346          (i) is located within the affected area;
             347          (ii) covers at least 50% of the total private land area within the affected area; and
             348          (iii) is equal in assessed value to at least 50% of the assessed value of all private real
             349      property within the affected area; or
             350          (b) registered voters residing within the affected area equal in number to at least 50%
             351      of the votes cast in the affected area for the office of governor at the last regular general
             352      election before the filing of the protests.
             353          (5) A resolution adopted under Subsection (4) does not take effect until the board of
             354      each local district whose boundaries are being adjusted has adopted a resolution under
             355      Subsection (4).
             356          (6) (a) Within [ten] 90 days after the resolutions take effect under Subsection (5), the
             357      board of the local district whose boundaries are being adjusted to include the affected area shall
             358      [comply with the requirements of Subsection 17B-2-514 (2).] file a notice with the lieutenant
             359      governor.
             360          [(7) Subsection 17B-2-514 (3) applies to a boundary adjustment under this section to
             361      the same extent as if the boundary adjustment were an annexation.]
             362          (b) The notice required under Subsection (6)(a) shall:
             363          (i) be accompanied by:
             364          (A) a copy of each of the board resolutions approving the boundary adjustment; and
             365          (B) an accurate map depicting the affected area or a legal description of the affected
             366      area, adequate for purposes of the county assessor and recorder; and
             367          (ii) include a certification by the board of the local district whose boundaries are being
             368      adjusted to include the affected area that all requirements for the boundary adjustment have


             369      been complied with.
             370          (c) Within ten days after receiving the notice under Subsection (6)(a), the lieutenant
             371      governor shall:
             372          (i) issue a certificate of boundary adjustment and send a copy of the certificate to the
             373      board of each local district whose boundary is being adjusted, the State Tax Commission, the
             374      state auditor, and the assessor and recorder of each county in which any part of the affected
             375      area is located; and
             376          (ii) send a copy of the notice under Subsection (6)(a), including the accompanying map
             377      or legal description, to the State Tax Commission and the assessor and recorder of each county
             378      in which any part of the affected area is located.
             379          (7) Upon the lieutenant governor's issuance of a certificate of boundary adjustment, the
             380      affected area is annexed to the local district whose boundaries are being adjusted to include the
             381      affected area and the affected area is withdrawn from the local district whose boundaries are
             382      being adjusted to exclude the affected area.
             383          Section 8. Section 17B-2-610 is amended to read:
             384           17B-2-610. Notice of withdrawal -- Contest period -- Judicial review.
             385          (1) (a) Within [ten] 90 days after adopting a resolution approving a withdrawal, the
             386      board of trustees shall file a written notice with the lieutenant governor.
             387          (b) The notice required under Subsection (1)(a) shall:
             388          (i) be accompanied by:
             389          (A) a copy of the board resolution approving the withdrawal; and
             390          (B) an accurate map depicting the boundaries of the withdrawn area or a legal
             391      description of the withdrawn area, adequate for purposes of the county assessor and recorder;
             392      and
             393          (ii) include a certification by the local district board that all requirements for the
             394      withdrawal have been complied with.
             395          (c) Within ten days after receiving the notice under Subsection (1)(a), the lieutenant
             396      governor shall:
             397          (i) issue a certificate of withdrawal and send a copy of the certificate to the local
             398      district board, the State Tax Commission, the state auditor, and the assessor and recorder of
             399      each county in which any part of the withdrawn area is located; and


             400          (ii) send a copy of the notice [of the withdrawal with] under Subsection (1)(a),
             401      including the accompanying map or legal description, to the State Tax Commission and the
             402      assessor and recorder of each county in which any part of the withdrawn area is located[,
             403      accompanied by a copy of the resolution approving the withdrawal, an accurate map depicting
             404      the boundaries of the withdrawn area or a legal description of the withdrawn area, adequate for
             405      purposes of the county assessor and recorder].
             406          [(b)] (3) Upon the [filing of the notices required by Subsection (1)(a)] lieutenant
             407      governor's issuance of the certificate of withdrawal under Subsection (1)(c)(i), the withdrawal
             408      shall be effective, subject to the conditions of the withdrawal resolution.
             409          [(2)] (4) The local district may provide for the publication of any resolution approving
             410      or denying the withdrawal of an area in a newspaper of general circulation in the area proposed
             411      for withdrawal. In lieu of publishing the entire resolution, the local district may publish a
             412      notice of withdrawal or denial of withdrawal, containing:
             413          (a) the name of the local district;
             414          (b) a description of the area proposed for withdrawal;
             415          (c) a brief explanation of the grounds on which the board of trustees determined to
             416      approve or deny the withdrawal; and
             417          (d) the times and place where a copy of the resolution may be examined, which shall be
             418      at the place of business of the local district, identified in the notice, during regular business
             419      hours of the local district as described in the notice and for a period of at least 30 days after the
             420      publication of the notice.
             421          [(3)] (5) Any sponsor of the petition or receiving entity may contest the board's
             422      decision to deny a withdrawal of an area from the local district by submitting a request, within
             423      60 days after the resolution is adopted under Section 17B-2-608 , to the board of trustees,
             424      suggesting terms or conditions to mitigate or eliminate the conditions upon which the board of
             425      trustees based its decision to deny the withdrawal.
             426          [(4)] (6) Within 60 days after the request under Subsection [(3)] (5) is submitted to the
             427      board of trustees, the board may consider the suggestions for mitigation and adopt a resolution
             428      approving or denying the request in the same manner as provided in Section 17B-2-608 with
             429      respect to the original resolution denying the withdrawal and file a notice of the action as
             430      provided in Subsection (1).


             431          [(5)] (7) (a) Any person in interest may seek judicial review of:
             432          (i) the board of trustees' decision to withdraw an area from the local district;
             433          (ii) the terms and conditions of a withdrawal; or
             434          (iii) the board's decision to deny a withdrawal.
             435          (b) Judicial review under this Subsection [(5)] (7) shall be initiated by filing an action
             436      in the district court in the county in which a majority of the area proposed to be withdrawn is
             437      located:
             438          (i) if the resolution approving or denying the withdrawal is published under Subsection
             439      [(2)] (4), within 60 days after the publication or after the board of trustees' denial of the request
             440      under Subsection [(4)] (6);
             441          (ii) if the resolution is not published pursuant to Subsection [(2)] (4), within 60 days
             442      after the resolution approving or denying the withdrawal is adopted; or
             443          (iii) if a request is submitted to the board of trustees of a local district under Subsection
             444      [(3)] (5), and the board adopts a resolution under Subsection [(4)] (6), within 60 days after the
             445      board adopts a resolution under Subsection [(4)] (6) unless the resolution is published under
             446      Subsection [(2)] (4), in which event the action must be filed within 60 days after the
             447      publication.
             448          (c) A court in which an action is filed under this Subsection [(5)] (7) may not overturn,
             449      in whole or in part, the board of trustees' decision to approve or reject the withdrawal unless:
             450          (i) the court finds the board of trustees' decision to be arbitrary or capricious; or
             451          (ii) the court finds that the board materially failed to follow the procedures set forth in
             452      this part.
             453          (d) A court may award costs and expenses of an action under this section, including
             454      reasonable attorney's fees, to the prevailing party.
             455          [(6)] (8) After the applicable contest period under Subsection [(3) or] (5) or (7), no
             456      person may contest the board of trustees' approval or denial of withdrawal for any cause.
             457          Section 9. Section 17B-2-708 is amended to read:
             458           17B-2-708. Dissolution resolution -- Limitations on dissolution -- Distribution of
             459      remaining assets -- Notice of dissolution.
             460          (1) After the public hearing required under Section 17B-2-706 and subject to
             461      Subsection (2), the administrative body may adopt a resolution [dissolving] approving


             462      dissolution of the local district.
             463          (2) A resolution under Subsection (1) may not be adopted unless:
             464          (a) any outstanding debt of the local district is:
             465          (i) satisfied and discharged in connection with the dissolution; or
             466          (ii) assumed by another governmental entity with the consent of all the holders of that
             467      debt and all the holders of other debts of the local district;
             468          (b) for a local district that has provided service during the preceding three years or
             469      undertaken planning or other activity preparatory to providing service:
             470          (i) another entity has committed to provide the same service to the area being served or
             471      proposed to be served by the local district; and
             472          (ii) all who are to receive the service have consented to the service being provided by
             473      the other entity; and
             474          (c) all outstanding contracts to which the local district is a party are resolved through
             475      mutual termination or the assignment of the district's rights, duties, privileges, and
             476      responsibilities to another entity with the consent of the other parties to the contract.
             477          (3) (a) (i) Any assets of the local district remaining after paying all debts and other
             478      obligations of the local district shall be used to pay costs associated with the dissolution
             479      process under this part.
             480          (ii) Any costs of the dissolution process remaining after exhausting the remaining
             481      assets of the local district under Subsection (3)(a)(i) shall be paid by the administrative body.
             482          (b) Any assets of the local district remaining after application of Subsection (3)(a) shall
             483      be distributed:
             484          (i) proportionately to the owners of real property within the dissolved local district if
             485      there is a readily identifiable connection between a financial burden borne by the real property
             486      owners in the district and the remaining assets; or
             487          (ii) except as provided in Subsection (3)(b)(i), to each county, city, or town in which
             488      the dissolved local district was located before dissolution in the same proportion that the land
             489      area of the local district located within the unincorporated area of the county or within the city
             490      or town bears to the total local district land area.
             491          (4) (a) Within [ten] 90 days after adopting a resolution [dissolving] approving
             492      dissolution of the local district, the administrative body shall [cause a notice of the] file a


             493      notice with the lieutenant governor.
             494          (b) The notice required under Subsection (4)(a) shall:
             495          (i) be accompanied by a copy of the board resolution approving the dissolution; and
             496          (ii) include a certification by the administrative body that all requirements for the
             497      dissolution have been complied with.
             498          (c) Within ten days after receiving the notice under Subsection (4)(a), the lieutenant
             499      governor shall:
             500          (i) issue a certificate of dissolution and send a copy of the certificate to the
             501      administrative body; and
             502          (ii) send a copy of the certificate of dissolution, with a copy of the [dissolution]
             503      administrative body's resolution, [to be mailed or delivered] to the State Tax Commission, the
             504      state auditor, and the assessor and recorder of each county in which any part of the dissolved
             505      district was located immediately before dissolution.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 11-21-02 2:40 PM


A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


Interim Committee Note
    as of 12-12-02 2:07 PM


The Political Subdivisions Interim Committee recommended this bill.


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