(1) Any local government where neither revenues nor expenditures exceed one hundred thousand dollars in any fiscal year commencing on or after January 1, 1998, may, with the approval of the state auditor, be exempt from the provisions of section 29-1-603.

(2) (a) Any local government where revenues or expenditures for any fiscal year commencing on or after January 1, 2004, but prior to January 1, 2015, are at least one hundred thousand dollars but not more than five hundred thousand dollars may, with the approval of the state auditor, be exempt from the provisions of section 29-1-603.

(b) Any local government where revenues or expenditures for any fiscal year commencing on or after January 1, 2015, are at least one hundred thousand dollars but not more than seven hundred fifty thousand dollars may, with the approval of the state auditor, be exempt from the provisions of section 29-1-603.

(3) The governing body of any local government wishing to claim exemption from the audit requirements pursuant to subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall file an application for exemption from audit. Any application filed pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall be prepared by a person skilled in governmental accounting. Any application filed pursuant to subsection (2) of this section shall be prepared by an independent accountant with knowledge of governmental accounting. Any application filed pursuant to this subsection (3) shall be completed in accordance with regulations issued by the state auditor and shall be personally reviewed, approved, and signed by a majority of the members of the governing body. The application is to be filed with the state auditor within three months after the close of the local government's fiscal year. No exemption shall be granted prior to the close of said fiscal year. Failure to file such application shall cause the local government to lose its exemption from the provisions of section 29-1-603 for that fiscal year and the ensuing fiscal year.