ORS 568.481
Methods for initiating dissolution of district

  • notice of process initiation
  • plan of dissolution and liquidation
  • public hearings
  • dissolution order
  • referendum

(1)

The dissolution of a soil and water conservation district may be initiated by any of the following methods:

(a)

A petition by 500 electors or 10 percent of the electors within the district, whichever is less, filed with the State Department of Agriculture.

(b)

A resolution of the district board of directors filed with the department. The district board may adopt a resolution described in this paragraph only if the board finds that dissolution and liquidation of the district is in the public interest.

(c)

District board notification to the department that the board is unable to maintain a quorum of directors or that the district is unable to satisfy the legal obligations and liabilities of the district.

(d)

An order of the department, if the department determines that the district is inactive, that the district board is unable to maintain a quorum of directors or that the district is unable to satisfy the legal obligations and liabilities of the district.

(2)

The department shall prescribe the form for a petition for dissolution. The petition must include, but need not be limited to, a legal description of the district, name and contact information for the chief petitioner and the reasons for the proposed dissolution. No later than 60 days after receiving the petition, the department shall verify the petition signatures.

(3)

Upon the initiation of a dissolution by any method, the department shall provide the district with written notice that the dissolution process has been initiated and shall request information from the district board for use in public meetings and public hearings.

(4)

No later than 60 days after receiving a written request for information from the department, the district board shall provide the department with the requested information and a plan of dissolution and liquidation for the district. The information and plan shall include, at a minimum:

(a)

The amount of district debt, a general description of the indebtedness and the names and contact information for persons owed, including but not limited to, payroll and other accrued liabilities;

(b)

A brief description of the district’s real property and interests in real property;

(c)

A description of conservation easements held by the district;

(d)

A description of the uncollected taxes, assessments and charges levied by the district;

(e)

A description of personal property and other assets of the district;

(f)

The estimated cost of dissolution; and

(g)

A general description of all district contracts, grants and agreements, a description of receivables and payables for each contract, grant and agreement and a description of the work or other obligations remaining on each contract, grant or agreement.

(5)

If the district is within the jurisdiction of a local government boundary commission, no later than 10 days after the district board provides the plan of dissolution and liquidation to the department, the district board shall provide a copy of the plan to the boundary commission.

(6)

The department shall have full access to district records. If the district is unable to prepare a plan of dissolution and liquidation, the department shall review the district records and prepare the plan.

(7)

The department shall conduct public meetings and public hearings as necessary to present the plan of dissolution and liquidation and to aid in the consideration of dissolution.

(8)

If the dissolution is initiated by petition, the department may order the district dissolved without a referendum election if:

(a)

No later than 60 days after the department receives the petition, the district board adopts a resolution to dissolve the district and the department determines that dissolution of the district is in the public interest; or

(b)

No later than 60 days after holding a public hearing regarding dissolution of the district, the department finds that the district board is unable to maintain a quorum of directors or that the district is unable to satisfy the legal obligations and liabilities of the district.

(9)

Except as provided in subsection (8) of this section, if the dissolution is initiated by petition, after holding a public hearing and giving notice of a referendum election, the department shall hold an election. The election shall be for the purpose of submitting to the electors of the district the question of whether the district should be dissolved, the indebtedness of the district liquidated and district assets disposed of, as provided under the plan for dissolution and liquidation. The election shall be held on the next special election date described in ORS 255.345 (Special election dates) for which the filing deadline can be met. However, an election may not be held unless the department has:

(a)

Made provision for the district to pay to the department, to the extent practicable, the cost of the referendum; and

(b)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(A)

Obtained assent to the dissolution and liquidation from all known holders of a valid indebtedness against the district; or

(B)

Made provision in the plan of dissolution and liquidation for the payment of nonassenting holders.

(10)

The notice of election must contain a brief summary of the plan of dissolution and liquidation and state that the plan is available for examination at the office of the county clerk. Only electors residing in the district are eligible to cast ballots in the referendum election. An informality in the conducting of the referendum election, or in matters regarding the election, does not invalidate the election or results if notice of the election was given in substantial compliance with this section and the election was fairly conducted.

(11)

If a majority of the ballots cast at the referendum election are in favor of dissolution, the department shall approve the petition and order dissolution of the district. If a majority of the ballots cast disapprove the proposed dissolution, the department may not order dissolution of the district.

(12)

If a referendum does not approve a proposal to dissolve a district, the department may not accept the filing of a new petition for dissolution of the district until one year after the referendum election date. Upon the filing of a new petition for dissolution of the district, the department shall make new requests for information from the district board and hold new public meetings and public hearings as provided under this section. [2009 c.220 §18]

Source: Section 568.481 — Methods for initiating dissolution of district; notice of process initiation; plan of dissolution and liquidation; public hearings; dissolution order; referendum, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors568.­html.

568.210
Definitions for ORS 568.210 to 568.808 and 568.900 to 568.933
568.225
Policy
568.300
Petition for formation of district
568.310
Notice of hearing
568.320
Right to be heard
568.330
Determination of need for district
568.340
Determination to not form district
568.351
Determination of boundaries for proposed district
568.370
Eligible electors
568.380
Department to pay expenses and supervise hearings and referenda
568.391
Referendum process
568.400
Appointment of first directors of district
568.410
Formation of district
568.420
Certificate of formation
568.431
Petitions for inclusion of territory
568.433
Petitions for withdrawal of territory
568.435
Boundary change notice for taxation purposes
568.440
District legally formed
568.445
Petitions for inclusion of territory wholly within another district
568.450
Procedure for consolidating districts
568.460
Referendum
568.471
Effect of consolidating districts
568.481
Methods for initiating dissolution of district
568.491
Termination of board of directors
568.495
Disposition of district assets
568.500
Order of dissolution
568.510
Proceedings for dissolution limited
568.520
Petitions nominating directors
568.530
Ballots
568.542
Payment of expenses for director election from county funds
568.545
Procedure for selection of directors of consolidated districts
568.550
General powers of board of directors
568.552
Power of directors to manage and control water resources and projects
568.554
District to submit program and work plans for department review
568.555
Name of district may be changed
568.560
Number of directors
568.565
Procedures for changing number of directors
568.570
Majority constitutes a quorum
568.580
Annual meeting
568.590
Notice of annual meeting
568.600
Legal counsel
568.610
Records
568.620
Consultation with county or municipal representatives
568.730
Officials may enter private lands
568.780
Certain public agencies to be deemed owners
568.790
County funds for personnel and other uses
568.801
Stream control and management projects
568.803
General obligation bonds
568.805
Special assessments
568.806
Ad valorem tax
568.807
Electors authorizing taxation
568.808
Taxing district to file legal description and map
568.810
Purpose of ORS 568.810 to 568.890
568.820
Designation of areas by county court upon petition
568.830
Publication and posting of notices describing districts
568.840
Election of advisory board
568.850
Wind erosion inspector
568.860
Inspector may enter lands in district
568.870
County court may authorize inspector to control erosion
568.880
Tax levy for wind erosion control
568.890
District may be dissolved
568.900
Definitions for ORS 568.900 to 568.933
568.903
“Landowner” defined
568.906
Plan implementation to involve local agencies
568.909
Boundaries for land subject to water quality plans
568.912
Management plan rules
568.915
Entry upon land
568.918
Notice to landowner of failure to perform requirements
568.921
Fees from landowners
568.924
Interagency agreements
568.927
Law inapplicable to certain forest practices
568.930
Agricultural activities subject to plan requirements
568.933
Civil penalties
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