N.D. Cent. Code § 40-40-20
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter or in section 40-05-05, no contract shall be made by the governing body of a municipality and no expense shall be incurred by any officers or departments of the corporation unless there shall have been a previous appropriation providing for such expense. The governing body may enter into contracts with persons, associations, corporations, or limited liability companies for the furnishing of water for fire protection to the municipality, and in case such contract extends over a term of years, it shall be unnecessary that a previous appropriation shall have been made except to cover the amounts payable under the contract for the first year thereof. Such a contract shall not be made for a longer period than twenty years.
N.D.C.C. § 40-40-20