§ 10-3-103. REFERENDUM.

(a)

Determination and ordinance. If the county proposes to borrow any sum of money in a manner that requires referendum approval under § 718 of the Charter:

(1)

The questions relating to the issuance shall be determined in accordance with § 705 of the Charter; and

(2)

The county shall adopt an ordinance that:

(i)

Specifies the purpose or class of projects for which the funds are to be borrowed;

(ii)

Includes only one purpose or class of projects to the extent required by law; and

(iii)

States the year or years in which the capital projects to be financed by county borrowing are recommended to be undertaken.

(b)

Ordinance requirements.

(1)

An ordinance is not required to specify the year or years in which the bonds are to be issued or sold.

(2)

The County Council shall publish the ordinance in accordance with law in the same manner as other ordinances adopted by the County Council, but the County Council is not required to publish any additional notice of the referendum required under subsection (c) of this section.

(c)

Referendum - In general. After adoption of an ordinance, the County Council and County Executive shall submit the full amount of proposed county borrowing to a referendum of the registered voters of the county for their approval or rejection at the next general election held in the county.

(d)

Same - Conduct. The County Board of Supervisors of Elections shall conduct each referendum under this section in accordance with the laws of the state governing the holding of general elections in the county.

(e)

Same - Contents of ballots. An official ballot for a referendum under this section shall include:

(1)

The full amount of the borrowing authorized by each ordinance;

(2)

A summary of the provisions of each ordinance; and

(3)

The words "For bond issue" and "Against bond issue" printed in a manner that will enable the voters to indicate their choice on each question.

(f)

Same - Results.

(1)

The County Board of Supervisors of Elections shall declare the result of the referendum.

(2)

If a majority of the voters voting in the referendum vote for bond issue, the provisions of the ordinance shall become effective immediately after a declaration to this effect by the Board of Supervisors of Elections of the county.

(3)

If a majority of the voters voting in a referendum vote against bond issue, the ordinance shall be void, and the county may not issue the bonds or other evidences of indebtedness proposed by the ordinance.

(1988 Code, § 15-3) (Bill No. 87, 1990, § 2, 8-13-1990; Bill No. 83-00, § 2, 7-1-2004; Bill No. 72-03, § 14, 7-1-2004)

Charter references:
  Referendum, § 309