Beginning with the 1996 biennial municipal elections, and every four years thereafter, all cities in North Dakota, regardless of their form of government, must put on the ballot the question of whether the minutes of its governing body shall be published in its official newspaper. If voters approve publication, the governing body shall, within seven days after each of its meetings, give its official newspaper, for publication, the complete minutes, or a complete summary showing the substantive actions taken at the meeting. Roll call votes must be published, but may be indicated as "unanimous" when appropriate. A list of the individual checks written by the city and approved by the governing body, showing the payee and the amount of each check, must be published. However, employee salary checks need not be published if the governing body elects to publish an annual salary schedule for each employee. When applicable, these minutes may be labeled as being published subject to the governing body's review and revision. The minutes shall continue to be published until disapproved at a succeeding quadrennial election.
40-01-10. Certificate of publication filed in auditor's office - Conclusive evidence - When bill for publication audited. After any ordinance, notice, resolution, or other proceeding has been published, a copy of the publication, together with the affidavit of publication stating the length of time it has been published, shall be filed with the city auditor. Such affidavit shall be conclusive evidence of the publication. The bill for the publication shall not be audited until such affidavit is filed.
40-01-11. Publication by a city or park district in which no official newspaper is published. Whenever any ordinance, notice, or other instrument is required by law to be published in a city or park district in which no official newspaper is published, such publication may be made or such notice given by publication of such ordinance, notice, or other instrument in the official newspaper designated pursuant to section 40-01-09. In a county in which no newspaper is published, any notice required by law to be published may be published in a newspaper printed in an adjoining county and having a general circulation in said county.