7-3-4326. Emergency measures. (1) An emergency measure is an ordinance or resolution for the immediate preservation of the public peace, property, health, or safety or providing for the usual daily operation of a municipal department, in which the emergency is set forth and defined in a preamble thereto. Ordinances or resolutions appropriating money or ordering any street improvement or sewer, unless it is endangering the health or safety of the inhabitants, or granting any franchise or extension of franchise or other special privilege or regulating the rate to be charged for its services by any public utility or right to occupy or use the streets, highways, bridges, or other public places shall never be passed as emergency measures.

(2) Ordinances passed as emergency measures shall be subject to a referendum in like manner as other ordinances, except that they shall go into effect at the time indicated in such ordinances. If, when submitted to a vote of the electors, an emergency measure is not approved by a majority of those voting thereon, it shall be considered repealed as regards any further action thereunder; but such measure so repealed shall be deemed sufficient authority for payment, in accordance with the ordinance, of any expense incurred previous to the referendum vote thereon.