FAQs

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Park Board

1. How is the amount of compensation for city governing board members determined?: The amount of compensation for councilmembers is set by local ordinance per NDCC 40-08-07). Compensation for councilmembers in modern council cities is also set by ordinance per NDCC 40-04.1-02. Some cities set a fixed amount of pay per month, some pay according to meetings attended, while others pay according to a combination of these factors.

The compensation for mayor is set by local ordinance per NDCC 40-08-15.

In commission cities, the monthly salary of each city commissioner must be fixed by ordinance. The president of the city commission may receive a salary of up to 50% more than the level set for each commissioner upon resolution by the board of city commissioners per NDCC 40-09-06.

2. May park board members be paid? If so, how much?: Yes, park board members may be paid. The members of the board of park commissioners shall receive compensation for their services in an amount approved by the park board in the park district annual budget. (NDCC 40-49-10)

3. May the size of the park board be reduced?: The number of park commissioners may be reduced from five to three in a two step process. The first step is either a resolution approved by majority vote of the park board or a petition signed by ten percent or more of the voters, either one asking the city governing body to call an election on the question. The second step is an election in which a majority vote is necessary to change the size of the park board. If a decrease in the number of park commissioners is approved by the electors, the existing board members shall continue in office until their terms expire. (NDCC 40-49-07.1)

4. What is the procedure for filling a vacancy on the park board?: Vacancies on the board of park commissioners shall be filled through an appointment made by the park board itself until the next regular election, at which time such vacancies shall be filled by election for the unexpired term. There is no provision for a park district special election to fill a vacancy. (NDCC 40-49-09)