2005 Minnesota Statutes

     412.091 Dissolution. 

    Whenever a number of voters equal to one-third of those 
 voting at the last preceding city election petition the director 
 of the Office of Strategic and Long-Range Planning therefor, a 
 special election shall be called to vote upon the question of 
 dissolving the city.  Before the election, the director shall 
 designate a time and place for a hearing in accordance with 
 section 414.09.  After the hearing the director shall issue an 
 order which shall include a date for the election, a 
 determination of what town or towns the territory of the city 
 shall belong to if the voters favor dissolution, and other 
 necessary provisions.  The ballots used at such election shall 
 bear the printed words, "For Dissolution" and "Against 
 Dissolution," with a square before each phrase in which the 
 voter may express a preference by a cross.  If a majority of 
 those voting on the question favor dissolution, the clerk shall 
 file a certificate of the result with the director, the 
 secretary of state and the county auditor of the county in which 
 the city is situated.  Six months after the date of such 
 election, the city shall cease to exist.  Within such six 
 months, the council shall audit all claims against the city, 
 settle with the treasurer, and other city officers, and apply 
 the assets of the city to the payment of its debts.  If any 
 debts remain unpaid, other than bonds, the city clerk shall file 
 a schedule of such debts with the county treasurer and the 
 council shall levy a tax sufficient for their payment, the 
 proceeds of which, when collected, shall be paid by the county 
 treasurer to the creditors in proportion to their several claims 
 until all are discharged.  The principal and interest on 
 outstanding bonds shall be paid when due by the county treasurer 
 from a tax annually spread by the county auditor against 
 property formerly included within the city until the bonds are 
 fully paid.  All city property and all rights of the city shall, 
 upon dissolution, inure in the town or towns designated as the 
 legal successor to the city.  If the city territory goes to more 
 than one town, surplus cash assets and unsold city property 
 shall be distributed as provided by the order for the election.  

    HIST: 1949 c 119 s 12; 1973 c 123 art 2 s 1 subd 2; 1985 c 30 
 s 1; 1986 c 444; 2003 c 2 art 5 s 9