of the tax on real property situated within its limits, excluding additional taxation and charges. The law shall likewise specify the sources of revenues of the municipal treasury, which shall be free of all national imposts.
256. Departmental Governments may not contract loans except on the proposal of the mayor, with the approval of the departmental council and the concurrence of the Legislative Power. In every case a previous report shall be required from the Audit Board.
257. Every surplus must be applied integrally to extraordinary amortisation of the departmental debt. Should no debt exist, the surplus shall be used for the execution of public works or for remunerative use, after a resolution has been adopted by the departmental council on the proposal of the mayor and after a previous report by the Audit Board.
Chapter V
258. Decrees of the councils and resolutions of mayors which are contrary to the constitution or to the laws may be the subject of appeal before the Chamber of Representatives, by one-third of the Council, by 300 citizens registered in the department or by the Executive Power.
If 60 days have elapsed after receiving the documents, and the Chamber has not reached any decision in the matter, the appeal shall be regarded as not having been made.
259. When the resolution against which an appeal has been made was adopted with the object of increasing departmental revenue, the appeal may not have suspensive effect. It shall similarly not have such effect when the appeal is made in the second case contemplated in the preceding article.
260. The cases in which citizens may lodge claims against resolutions of the departmental Governments, in both municipal and judicial matters, for the purpose of obtaining com- pensation for any infringements of rights which they may suffer shall be determined by law.
261. Without prejudice to the provisions of article 250, the responsibility of mayors and members of the council, and the manner in which such responsibility may be made effective, shall be determined by law.
