Local Government Amendments

Added a new definition for 'finance officer' to clarify that this role can be filled by the county auditor or a person selected by the county council to provide accounting services.

Changed the voter threshold for petitions to move a county seat from a 'majority of registered voters' to a 'majority of active voters' (those who voted in the last election).

Adjusted the voter threshold for creating a new county to require signatures from 'active voters' rather than just 'registered voters'.

Modified the permit fee for disturbing government survey monuments, capping it at $400 with a $250 refund if the monument is undisturbed.

Clarified that when a county contracts with a licensed land surveyor, the surveyor may use either the county surveyor seal or their personal seal.

Increased the standard recording fee for certain instruments from $40 to $45.

Updated career service appeal procedures to allow the county governing body to issue a final decision on appeals before they reach the district court.

Renumbered and reorganized several sections related to county finance, auditing, and claims to align with recent legislative changes.

Redefines 'finance officer' to include the county executive or manager if accounting services are delegated, changing who is responsible for financial oversight in some counties.

Repeals the statutory requirement that county financial officers must be bonded, removing a financial guarantee obligation.

Allows licensed professional land surveyors hired by a county to use their personal seal instead of the county surveyor seal when performing official duties.

Updates campaign finance rules to require candidates to file interim reports 24 hours after a deadline or face disqualification, and modifies how election officials notify voters via email.

Changes the deadline for submitting petitions to move a county seat, requiring submission at least 180 days before an election rather than a specific calendar date.

Increases statutory recording fees for county clerks, including a $40 fee for recording instruments and additional charges for complex documents.

Modifies qualification requirements for county assessors, allowing candidates in smaller counties to run without being licensed appraisers if no licensed candidate files.

Recodifies certain sections of Title 17B into a new Title 17D to organize infrastructure financing district laws.

Redefines 'finance officer' to include the county auditor or a person selected by the council to provide accounting services, allowing counties to delegate accounting duties.

Changes the timeline for submitting a petition to move a county seat to require submission at least 180 days before an election, rather than a majority of registered voters.

Modifies the qualification requirements for county assessors, allowing candidates in smaller counties to run without being licensed appraisers if no licensed appraiser runs.

Repeals the requirement that county financial officers must be bonded, removing a financial guarantee mandate.

Updates statutory fees for county recorder services, increasing certain recording fees from $40 to $45 and adjusting plat fees.

Modifies how election officials must notify voters about candidate disqualifications, requiring email notification in specific circumstances.

Renumberes various sections of Title 17 to align with previous recodification efforts and makes technical conforming changes throughout the code.