(a) In order to incorporate a district under this chapter, any number of natural persons, not less than three, shall first file an identical written application with the governing body of each county and municipality located in whole or in part within the boundaries of the area or areas to be served by the proposed district, or, if the district is to be a supply district, with the governing body of each county, municipality, and public corporation to be served by the proposed district. Such application shall contain:
(1) A statement that the district proposes to render water service, sewer service, and fire protection service or any one or more thereof;
(2)(i) A concise legal description of the area or areas in which the district proposes to render water service, sewer service, and fire protection service or any thereof, a designation of the type or types of service proposed to be rendered in such area or in each of such areas and the name of each county and municipality located in whole or in part within the boundaries of such area or areas, or, (ii) if the district is to be a supply district, the name of each county, municipality, and public corporation proposed to be served;
(3) A proposed total number of directors, which shall be at least equal to the total number of counties and municipalities and public corporations with the governing bodies of which such application is filed, but in no event less than three, and proposed provisions for the election of each director by one of such governing bodies and for the election of at least one director by each of said governing bodies; and, if the district will be a supply district, any proposal to give the directors proportional voting power based upon the quantity of water to be taken or paid for by the entities which will elect the directors, the percentage of indebtedness of the district for which the entities electing the directors will be guarantors, or any other measure for establishing proportional voting power of directors;
(4) The proposed location of the principal office of the district, which shall be within a county with the governing body of which such application is filed or within a county which is served in whole or in part by a public corporation with the governing body of which such application is filed;
(5) A statement that each of the applicants is a duly qualified elector of the county or one of the counties with the governing bodies of which such application is filed or a county which is served in whole or in part by a public corporation with the governing body of which such application is filed; and
(6) A request that each of such governing bodies adopt a resolution declaring that it is wise, expedient, and necessary that the proposed district be formed and authorizing the applicants to proceed to form the proposed district by the filing for record of a certificate of incorporation in accordance with the provisions of Section 11-89-4.
Such application may also state a proposed plan for apportioning the properties of the district upon its dissolution among the public entities with the governing bodies of which such application is filed. Any proposed service area described in any such application shall lie wholly within the boundaries of the county or counties with the governing bodies of which the application is filed and no part of any proposed described service area shall lie within the boundaries of any municipality with the governing body of which the application is not filed. Every such application shall be accompanied by such supporting documents or evidence as the applicants may consider appropriate.
(b) As promptly as may be practicable after the filing of the application in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, each governing body with which the application was filed shall review the contents of the application, and shall adopt a resolution either denying the application or declaring that it is wise, expedient, and necessary that the proposed district be formed and authorizing the applicants to proceed to form the proposed district by the filing for record of a certificate of incorporation in accordance with the provisions of Section 11-89-4. Each governing body with which the application is filed shall also cause a copy of the application to be spread upon or otherwise made a part of the minutes of the meeting of such governing body at which final action upon said application is taken.
Last modified: May 3, 2021