12-1796. Same; establishment of district; petition, when; overall plan; hearing; resolution; notice; protest; governing body of the district. (a) The governing body of the city: (1) May, on its own motion, initiate proceedings for establishing a district as provided in subsections (b) through (g), inclusive; or (2) the city shall initiate proceedings for establishing a district as provided in subsections (b) through (g), inclusive, upon the filing with its clerk of a petition containing:

(A) The signatures of at least 25% of all owners of real property within the proposed district which together represent ownership of 25% or more of the assessed valuation of all of the real property in the proposed district;

(B) a description of the boundaries of the proposed district;

(C) the name of the proposed district;

(D) a statement of the maximum rate of the ad valorem tax that may be levied upon property within the district. The maximum rate of tax may be stated in terms of separate maximum rates for a capital improvement fund tax, an operations fund tax, or in terms of a maximum combined rate; and

(E) the purpose for the establishment of the district.

(b) The city considering establishment of such a district whether on its own motion or pursuant to petition as provided in subsection (a), shall adopt a resolution stating the city is considering establishing the district. Such resolution shall contain:

(1) A description of the boundaries of the proposed district;

(2) the name of the proposed district;

(3) the purpose of the district and a general description of the improvements and services which are proposed to be provided within the district;

(4) the maximum rate of the ad valorem tax which may be levied upon property in the district;

(5) the time and place of a public hearing to be held by the governing body to consider establishment of the district; and

(6) any other information deemed necessary by the governing body.

(c) The date fixed for such public hearing shall be not less than 30 nor more than 60 days following the date of the adoption of the resolution fixing the date of such hearing.

(d) A copy of the resolution shall be mailed by certified mail to each owner of land within the proposed district not less than 15 days prior to the date of such hearing. A copy shall also be mailed to the city or other planning commission having jurisdiction over the area. Such resolution shall be published in the official city newspaper once each week for three consecutive weeks, the last such publication to be not less than one week nor more than two weeks preceding the date fixed for such public hearing.

(e) The governing body shall not take final action on the proposed district within 30 days after the public hearing has been held nor prior to the receipt from the planning commission of a finding that the proposed district is consistent with the comprehensive plan for the development of the city. If the governing body finds that establishment of the proposed district is advisable and in the best interest of the city, it may adopt an ordinance establishing a self-supported municipal improvement district. All property included in the proposed district need not be included in the established district. However, no property may be included in the district that was not included in the proposed district until the governing body:

(1) Has held another hearing after following the procedures prescribed by this section;

(2) has caused a notice of the inclusion of the property to be personally served upon each owner of the additional property; or

(3) has received a written waiver of notice from each owner of the additional property.

(f) At any time prior to adoption of an ordinance establishing a district, the entire matter of establishing such district shall be withdrawn from the governing body's consideration if a petition is filed with the city clerk containing the signatures of at least 40% of all owners of property within the proposed district or signatures which together represent ownership of property with an assessed valuation of 40% or more of the assessed valuation of all property within the proposed district.

(g) Upon the adoption of the ordinance establishing a district, the governing body of the city shall be the governing body of the district. The district shall be a body corporate and politic and shall be vested with all the power and authority necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act. Officers of the city shall be the officers of the district where appropriate and shall have such duties as provided by law and directed by the governing body of the district.

History: L. 1981, ch. 63, § 3; L. 1988, ch. 79, § 2; Jan. 1, 1989.