Sec. 12a.

(1) After the public hearing on a proposed consolidation and review by the commission, the commission may deny the proposed consolidation, revise the boundaries of the territory to be consolidated and approve the proposal, or approve the consolidation without any change.

(2) If a consolidation proposal is denied by the commission its order is final immediately and the secretary shall transmit a certified copy thereof to the petitioner and the clerk of each city, village or township affected.

(3) If a consolidation proposal is approved with or without a revision of the boundaries the commission's order becomes final 45 days after the date of the order unless within that 45 days a petition for a referendum is filed with the commission which contains the signatures of at least 5% of the registered electors residing in the area to be consolidated as approved by the commission. If a petition is not filed and the commission's order becomes final the secretary shall send a certified copy of the order to the petitioner and the clerk of each county, city, village or township affected and to the secretary of state. If the petition is filed, the commission after determining the validity of the petition shall submit the proposition to a vote of the electors of the affected municipalities and shall specify a date later than the referendum on which the commission's order becomes final.

(4) In order to be adopted, the proposition to consolidate shall receive an affirmative majority vote in each municipality affected voting separately. If a majority of the votes cast in each municipality affected are in favor of the proposed consolidation the commission's order becomes final and proceedings may be conducted in accordance with sections 13 to 17. Otherwise the proceedings on the consolidation proposal shall terminate.

(5) The secretary shall notify the clerk of each municipality affected by the consolidation of the date for the election and the question to be submitted. Each clerk shall arrange for an election on the question of the proposed consolidation and for the election of the charter commissioners to be elected from his municipality and he shall follow the procedure prescribed in the state election law except as otherwise provided in this act.

History: Add. 1972, Act 362, Imd. Eff. Jan. 9, 1973