Montana Code Annotated
Part 47. Annexation With the Provision of Services
7-2-4742. Court review and decision when area annexed

7-2-4742. Court review and decision when area annexed. (1) The review authorized under 7-2-4741 shall be conducted by the court without a jury. The court may hear oral arguments and receive written briefs and may take evidence intended to show that either:
(a) the statutory procedure was not followed; or
(b) the provisions of 7-2-4731 through 7-2-4735 were not met.
(2) The court may affirm the action of the governing body without change, or it may:
(a) remand the ordinance to the municipal governing body for further proceedings if procedural irregularities are found to have materially prejudiced the substantive rights of any of the petitioners;
(b) remand the ordinance to the municipal governing body for amendment of the boundaries to conform to the provisions of 7-2-4734 and 7-2-4735, but the court cannot remand the ordinance to the municipal governing body with directions to add an area to the municipality which was not included in the notice of public hearing and not provided for in plans for service; or
(c) remand the report to the municipal governing body for amendment of the plans for providing services to the end that the provisions of 7-2-4731 through 7-2-4733 are satisfied.
(3) If any municipality fails to take action in accordance with the court's instructions upon remand within 3 months from receipt of such instructions, the court may in its discretion extend the time for compliance.
History: En. 11-522 by Sec. 9, Ch. 364, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 11-522(3).

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