(a)  Whenever a board of trustees determines that it is in the public interest to provide different services, to provide different levels of service, or to raise additional revenue within specific areas of the district, it may form one or more zones pursuant to this article.

(b)  The board of trustees shall initiate proceedings for the formation of a new zone by adopting a resolution that does all of the following:

(1)  States that the proposal is made pursuant to this article.

(2)  Sets forth a description of the boundaries of the territory to be included in the zone.

(3)  States the different services, the different levels of service, or additional revenues which the zone will provide.

(4)  Sets forth the methods by which those services or levels of service will be financed.

(5)  States the reasons for forming the zone.

(6)  Proposes a name or number for the zone.

(c)  A proposal to form a new zone may also be initiated by a petition signed by not less than 10 percent of the registered voters residing within the proposed zone. The petition shall contain all of the matters required by subdivision (b).

(d)  Upon the adoption of a resolution or the receipt of a valid petition, the board of trustees shall fix the date, time, and place for the public hearing on the formation of the zone. The board of trustees shall publish notice of the hearing, including the information required by subdivision (b), pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the district. The board of trustees shall mail the notice at least 45 days before the date of the hearing to all owners of property within the proposed zone. The board of trustees shall post the notice in at least three public places within the territory of the proposed zone.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 395, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2003.)