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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) City Auditor Avis Richter sent out a response to the proposed “petition to initiate ordinance” committee to deny their request.

City Administrator David Schelkoph said after exhaustive legal research with city staff members we have rejected the proposed petition for signature circulation. He said the petitioners can choose to rewrite the document to conform to all legal requirements and clarifications.

If the petition is approved, the sponsoring committee of Tony Drake, Lloyd Nelson and Bob Drake would need to get the necessary signatures before the city could approve it and place it on a future ballot.

Once on the ballot, voters would be asked to approve or disapprove a proposed ordinance to disband the city police department and move administrative control over to the Barnes County Sheriff’s office.