Valley City (CSi)  Valley City Auditor Avis Richter has sent out a response to the proposed “petition to initiate ordinance” committee members signed by Tony Drake, Lloyd Nelson and Robert Drake.

PetitionThe petition was in regard to putting a question on a ballot, asking voters if they wanted to put the Valley City Police Department, after disbanding it, under administrative control  of  the Barnes County Sheriff’s Office.

City Administrator David Schelkoph says after exhaustive legal research with city staff members, they have rejected the proposed petition for signature circulation.

Schelkoph says the petitioners can choose to rewrite the document to conform to all legal requirements and clarifications.

If the petition is approved, the sponsoring committee 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 have to approve or disapprove a city ordinance.