After the board of commissioners of the soil and water conservation district has recorded a determination that there is need in the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare for a watershed conservation district to function in the territory considered at the hearing and that the operation of the watershed conservation district is administratively practicable and feasible and has defined its boundaries, the board shall determine whether the majority of the qualified electors residing in the proposed watershed conservation district desire that the district be created. To make this decision a referendum to approve or disapprove the creation of the watershed conservation district must be held by the county election commission in the next scheduled countywide election in the counties in which the proposed district is located. Only qualified electors residing in the watershed are eligible to vote in the referendum. Applicable rules of the election apply to the referendum. Due notice of the referendum must be given by the board of commissioners. The notice must describe the boundaries of the proposed watershed district as determined by the board of commissioners of the soil and water conservation district, as provided in Section 48-11-60(B) and must state the authority for taxes to be levied each fiscal year for the purposes of the watershed conservation district. If the majority of the qualified electors voting in the referendum approve the creation of the watershed conservation district, the district is established and must be organized pursuant to this chapter.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 63-177; 1967 (55) 1158; 1992 Act No. 408, Section 1.