Section 73-20-23 - Discontinuance of districts. - New Mexico Statutes

73-20-23. Discontinuance of districts.

A.     At any time after five years from the organization of a watershed district, twenty-five or more landowners within a district or, if less than fifty landowners are involved, a majority of the landowners in the district may file a petition with the board of supervisors and the board of directors requesting that the existence of the district be discontinued. The petition shall state the reasons for discontinuance and that all obligations of the district have been met.   

B.     After giving notice as defined in Section 73-20-8 NMSA 1978, the board of supervisors may conduct hearings on the petition as may be necessary to assist it in making a determination.   

C.     Within sixty days after petition is filed, a referendum shall be held under the supervision of the board of supervisors as provided in Section 73-20-14 NMSA 1978. No informalities in the conduct of the referendum or in any matters relating to the referendum shall invalidate it or its result if notice of the referendum has been given substantially as provided in Subsection B of this section.   

D.     If a majority of the votes cast in the referendum favor the discontinuance of the district and it is found that all obligations have been met, the board of supervisors shall make a determination that the watershed district shall be discontinued. A copy of the determination shall be certified by the clerk of the county involved for recording. After recording, the certification shall be filed with the New Mexico department of agriculture.