(A) Notwithstanding the provision of any general law or local act:
(1) Any action with respect to the adoption or amendment of the budget ordinance may be taken at any regular or special meeting of the Council by a simple majority of those present and voting, a quorum being present;
(2) No action taken with respect to the adoption or amendment of the budget ordinance need be published or is subject to any other procedural requirement governing the adoption of ordinances or resolutions by the Council; and
(3) The adoption and amendment of the budget ordinance and the levy of taxes in the budget ordinance are not subject to the provisions of any local act concerning initiative or referendum.
(B) During the period beginning with the submission of the budget to the Council and ending with the adoption of the budget ordinance, the Council may hold any special meetings that may be necessary to complete its work on the budget ordinance.
(C) Except for the notice requirements of G.S. § 143-318.12, which continue to apply, provisions of law concerning the call of a special meeting do not apply during the period so long as:
(1) Each member of the Town Council has actual notice of each special meeting called for the purpose of considering the budget; and
(2) No business other than consideration of the budget is taken up. This section does not allow the holding of closed meetings or closed sessions by the Council otherwise prohibited by law from holding a like meeting or session, and may not be construed to do so.
(Ord. 04-04, passed 4-7-2004)