(1) In the event any county or city within the region desires to become a member of the district, such county or city shall so indicate by proper resolution of its governing body declaring this intention. Such resolution shall contain notice that an election will be held to permit the qualified electors of such county or city to decide if they desire to become associated with the district. Such election shall be held and conducted by the election commissioners of the county or city in accordance with the general laws governing elections, and only qualified electors as reside within the county or city shall be entitled to vote in such election. Such resolution shall set forth the time, place or places, and purpose of such election, which shall be published by the clerk of the governing body of such county or city for the time and in the manner required by law. The ballots to be prepared and used at said election shall be in substantially the following form:

FOR associating with the Gulf Regional District ( )

AGAINST association with the Gulf Regional District ( )

Voters shall vote by placing a cross mark (x) or a check mark (✓) opposite their choice.

If a majority of those voting in such election favor associating with the said district, then in such event the resolution of the county or city shall become operative and that county or city shall become a member of the district.

A resolution of the governing body of all such cities and counties as provided herein indicating its intention to or not to become a member of the district shall be adopted on or before February 1, 1972.

(2) If, in the event the governing authorities adopt a resolution indicating its intention not to become a member of the district, within thirty days from the adoption of said resolution ten percent (10%) of the qualified electors of such county or city or fifteen hundred (1,500) qualified electors of such county or city, whichever shall be the lesser number, shall file written petitions with the governing authorities of such county or city before the date specified as aforesaid in favor of becoming associated as a member of the district, then the governing bodies of such county or city shall call an election on the question of whether or not such county or city shall become associated as a member of such district. Such election shall be held and conducted by the election commissioners of the county or city as nearly as may be in accordance with the general laws governing elections as hereinbefore provided.