ORS 297.445: Petition to audit municipal corporation exempt under ORS 297.435; notice to corporation; audit.

(1) ORS 297.435 does not apply to a municipal corporation for any fiscal year if a petition requesting an audit, signed by residents of the municipal corporation who are subject to taxes, fees, assessments or other charges levied by the municipal corporation, is filed with the Secretary of State within six months of the end of the fiscal year for which the audit is requested. In a municipal corporation with a population of 150 or less, the petition must be signed by at least 10 residents. In a municipal corporation with a population of more than 150, the petition must be signed by at least 30 residents. (2) The Secretary of State shall give notice of the petition to the governing body of the municipal corporation within 10 days of its receipt. Upon receipt of notice of the petition from the Secretary of State, the governing body or managing or executive officer of the municipal corporation shall immediately comply with the provisions of ORS 297.425. If a copy of a signed contract between the governing body or managing or executive officer and an accountant, or a duly authorized ordinance or resolution requesting an audit by the Secretary of State, is not received within 30 days of the dispatch of notice of petition, the Secretary of State shall cause an audit and review to be made of the accounts and fiscal affairs of the municipal corporation designated in the petition. (3) The costs incurred by the Secretary of State in making the audit and review shall be borne by the municipal corporation, and shall be paid to the Secretary of State in the same manner as other claims against the municipal corporation. [1977 c.774 §6; 1987 c.143 §6; 2003 c.326 §1; 2023 c.10 §11]