Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 7. LOCAL GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER 14. TRANSPORTATION

Part 11. Port Authorities

Method Of Funding Deficiency -- Election Required

7-14-1134. Method of funding deficiency -- election required. (1) Subject to the conditions stated in this section, the governing body of a county or of a municipality having a population in excess of 10,000 may by resolution covenant that if at any time all revenue, including taxes, appropriated and collected for bonds issued pursuant to this part is insufficient to pay principal or interest then due, it will levy a general tax on all of the taxable property in the county or municipality for the payment of the deficiency. The governing body may further covenant that at any time a deficiency is likely to occur within 1 year for the payment of principal and interest due on the bonds, it will levy a general tax on all the taxable property in the county or municipality for the payment of the deficiency. The taxes are not subject to any limitation of rate or amount applicable to other county or municipal taxes but are limited to a rate estimated to be sufficient to produce the amount of the deficiency. If more than one local government is included in an authority issuing bonds pursuant to this part, the local governments may apportion the obligation to levy taxes for the payment of, or in anticipation of, a deficiency in the revenue appropriated for the bonds in a manner that the local governments may determine.

(2) The resolution must state the principal amount and purpose of the bonds and the substance of the covenant respecting deficiencies.

(3) A resolution is not effective until the question of its approval has been submitted to the qualified electors of the local government at an election called for that purpose by the governing body of the local government and held as provided in 15-10-425 and the question is approved by a majority of the electors voting.

(4) If a majority of the electors voting on the issue vote against approval of the resolution, the local government may not make the covenant or levy a tax for the payment of deficiencies pursuant to this section. The local government or authority may issue bonds under this part payable solely from the sources referred to in 7-14-1133(1).

History: En. Sec. 14, Ch. 456, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 48, Ch. 387, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 495, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 43, Ch. 574, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 154, Ch. 49, L. 2015.