20A-7-613. Property tax referendum petition.
(1) As used in this section, "certified tax rate" means the same as that term is defined in Section. 59-2-924
(2) Except as provided in this section, the requirements of this part apply to a referendum petition challenging a taxing entity's legislative body's vote to impose a tax rate that exceeds the certified tax rate.
(3) Notwithstanding Subsection, and subject to Subsection, the sponsors or an agent of the sponsors shall deliver a signed and verified referendum packet to the county clerk of the county in which the packet was circulated before 5 p.m. no later than the earlier of: 20A-7-105(5)(a)(iv) (3)(b) the first business day that is at least 30 calendar days after the day on which the first individual signs the packet; or the first business day that is at least 40 calendar days after the day on which the local clerk complies with Subsection. 20A-7-604(3) For a county where the county clerk's office is closed on a business day, if the deadline described in Subsectionis on that business day, the deadline is extended until 5 p.m. the next day that the office is open. (3)(a)
(4) Notwithstanding Subsectionsand, the county clerk shall take the actions required in Subsectionsandwithin 10 business days after the day on which the county clerk receives the signed and verified referendum packet as described in Subsection. 20A-7-105(6)(a) (9) 20A-7-105(6)(a) (9) (3)
(5) The local clerk shall take the actions required by Sectionwithin two business days after: 20A-7-607 in relation to the manual referendum process, the day on which the local clerk receives the referendum packets from the county clerk; or in relation to the electronic referendum process, the deadline described in Subsection. 20A-7-616(2)
(6) Notwithstanding Subsection, the local attorney shall prepare the ballot title within two business days after the day on which the referendum petition is declared sufficient for submission to a vote of the people. 20A-7-608(2)
(7) Notwithstanding Subsection, a referendum that qualifies for the ballot under this section shall appear on the ballot for the earlier of the next regular general election or the next municipal general election unless a special election is called. 20A-7-609(2)(c)
(8) The election officer shall mail manual ballots on a referendum under this section the later of: the time provided in Sectionor; or 20A-3a-202 20A-16-403 the time that ballots are prepared for mailing under this section.
(9) Sectiondoes not apply to a referendum described in this section. 20A-7-402
(10) If a majority of voters does not vote against imposing the tax at a rate calculated to generate the increased revenue budgeted, adopted, and approved by the taxing entity's legislative body: the certified tax rate for the fiscal year during which the referendum petition is filed is its most recent certified tax rate; and the proposed increased revenues for purposes of establishing the certified tax rate for the fiscal year after the fiscal year described in Subsectionare the proposed increased revenues budgeted, adopted, and approved by the taxing entity's legislative body before the filing of the referendum petition. (10)(a)(i) If a majority of voters votes against imposing a tax at the rate established by the vote of the taxing entity's legislative body, the certified tax rate for the taxing entity is the taxing entity's most recent certified tax rate. If the tax rate is set in accordance with Subsection, a taxing entity is not required to comply with the notice and public hearing requirements of Sectionif the taxing entity complies with those notice and public hearing requirements before the referendum petition is filed. (10)(a)(ii) 59-2-919
(11) The ballot title shall, at a minimum, include in substantially this form the following: "Shall the [name of the taxing entity] be authorized to levy a tax rate in the amount sufficient to generate an increased property tax revenue of [amount] for fiscal year [year] as budgeted, adopted, and approved by the [name of the taxing entity].".
(12) A taxing entity shall pay the county the costs incurred by the county that are directly related to meeting the requirements of this section and that the county would not have incurred but for compliance with this section.
(13) An election officer shall include on a ballot a referendum that has not yet qualified for placement on the ballot, if: sponsors file an application for a referendum described in this section; the ballot will be used for the election for which the sponsors are attempting to qualify the referendum; and the deadline for qualifying the referendum for placement on the ballot occurs after the day on which the ballot will be printed. If an election officer includes on a ballot a referendum described in Subsection, the ballot title shall comply with Subsection. (13)(a) (11) If an election officer includes on a ballot a referendum described in Subsectionthat does not qualify for placement on the ballot, the election officer shall inform the voters by any practicable method that the referendum has not qualified for the ballot and that votes cast in relation to the referendum will not be counted. (13)(a)