(a) Three applicants shall be appointed to incorporate the Franklin County Water Service Authority by filing for record in the office of the judge of probate of the county a certificate of incorporation that shall comply in form and substance with the requirements of this section and shall be executed in the manner provided in this section. The applicants shall be appointed as follows: One applicant shall be appointed by the state senator who represents the senatorial district in which Franklin County is located; one applicant shall be appointed by the member of the House of Representatives representing Franklin County; and one applicant shall be appointed by the Franklin County Commission.

(b) The certificate of incorporation of the authority shall include the following:

(1) The names and residences of the persons forming the authority, and a statement that each is a qualified elector of the county, a resident of the county, and an owner of real property in the area of Franklin County in which the authority proposes to render water service.

(2) The name of the authority, which shall include the words Franklin County Water Service Authority.

(3) The duration period of the authority.

(4) The name of the county in which incorporated, and the date of incorporation.

(5) The location of the principal office of the authority, which shall be in Franklin County.

(6) Matters relating to participation by citizens in the authority and the existence of any connection, meter, or user fees or rates, and provisions for any changes therein.

(7) A concise legal description of the area or areas in which the authority proposes to render water service.

(8) A statement that a master plan shall be developed or any existing master plan adopted for the authority.

(9) Any other matters relating to the authority that the incorporators choose to insert and that are not inconsistent with this article or with the laws of the state.

(c) The certificate of incorporation shall be signed and acknowledged by the incorporators before an officer authorized by the laws of the state to take acknowledgments to deeds.

(d) When the certificate of incorporation is filed for record, there shall be attached to it a certificate by the Secretary of State that the name proposed for the authority is not identical to that of any other corporation organized under the laws of the state or so nearly similar thereto as to lead to confusion and uncertainty.

(e) The judge of probate shall promptly examine all documents. If he or she finds that all documents are complete and regular and that the form and contents of the certificate of incorporation comply with this article, the judge shall enter and sign an order setting forth his or her findings and requiring all documents to be recorded. Upon the filing for record of the order and the documents referred to therein, the authority shall be created and shall constitute a public corporation under the name set forth in the certificate of incorporation.

(f) The judge shall thereupon send a notice to the Secretary of State that the certificate of incorporation of the authority has been filed for record.