7-6-2407. Examination and investigation of claims. - Montana Statutes

     7-6-2407. Examination and investigation of claims. (1) It is the duty of persons holding claims against any county having a county auditor to present the claims to the county auditor, who shall investigate and examine all claims presented.
     (2) (a) Within 30 days of receipt of a claim in the office of the county auditor, the county auditor shall approve the claim, disapprove the claim, or notify the board of county commissioners, the claimant, and any affected county elected officials or department heads in writing that the claim requires further investigation.
     (b) Further investigation of a claim must be completed and an approval or disapproval of payment of the claim must be issued within 60 days from the date that the county auditor provides the written notification required in subsection (2)(a).
     (3) (a) The county auditor shall report approved claims to the board of county commissioners at its regular meeting after investigations into the claims have been completed.
     (b) The county auditor shall keep a complete record of all claims submitted and investigations and examinations of the claims.
     (4) In all counties having a county auditor:
     (a) all bills, claims, accounts, or charges for materials of any kind or nature that may be purchased by and on behalf of the county by any of the county officers or contracted for by the county commissioners must be investigated, examined, and inspected by the county auditor, who shall approve or disapprove payment of the claims before any warrant for the payment of the claims may be drawn;
     (b) a claim against the county may not be paid or a warrant drawn for the claim unless the claim has the approval of the county auditor. If the county auditor disapproves payment of a claim:
     (i) the auditor shall, within 5 days of the disapproval, provide written documentation to the board of county commissioners, the claimant, and any affected county elected officials or department heads specifying the reasons for the disapproval;
     (ii) the auditor shall, within 15 days of the disapproval, present documentation and testimony in support of the disapproval of the claim to the board of county commissioners in a public hearing at a properly noticed and regularly scheduled meeting of the board of county commissioners; and
     (iii) the board of county commissioners may order the payment of the claim by a majority vote at a regular board meeting. If a majority of the board orders payment of the disapproved claim, the county auditor may appeal the decision to the district court within 7 working days. If the board's decision is not appealed within the required 7-day period, the claim must be paid.

     History: En. Sec. 7, p. 229, L. 1891; re-en. Sec. 4566, Pol. C. 1895; re-en. Sec. 3106, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 4830, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 4830, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 16-3208; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 371, L. 2003.