N.D. Cent. Code § 61-10-34
If after the hearing and after considering objections, if any, to exclusion of the lands or parts thereof mentioned in the petition, the board deems it not for the best interests of the district to exclude the lands mentioned in the petition or any part thereof, it shall deny the petition. If, however, the board shall deem it for the best interests of the district to exclude such lands, or any part thereof, from the district, it shall grant the petition and by resolution direct the chairman and secretary of the board to issue an order excluding such lands from the district, unless the district has outstanding bonds or improvement warrants or unless a contract obligating the district has been entered into with the United States or any department or agency thereof or with the state or any department or political subdivision thereof.
N.D.C.C. § 61-10-34