22-29-304. Initiation of merger and consolidation; election.

(a) The voters of two (2) or more districts may initiate proceedings to merge or consolidate districts by filing a petition with the directors of the districts to be merged or consolidated. The petition shall be circulated and jointly verified in accordance with W.S. 22-29-105 and 22-29-108 by the secretaries of the districts involved. The petition shall state the name of the surviving or successor district. If two (2) or more districts planning to merge or consolidate have been formed under two (2) different principal acts, the petition shall also state under what principal act the merged or consolidated district shall operate. The principal act under which the merged or consolidated district shall operate may be different than the principal acts governing the original districts. In addition, the petition of merger or consolidation shall set forth provisions pertaining to the composition of the board of the new district until the next district election. The board of the new district may be composed of members of the combined boards. At the next regular district election members shall elect a new board. Thereafter the merged or consolidated board shall operate with the number of directors applicable under the principal act.

(b) Upon the district secretary certifying the petition, the directors of the districts shall order an election which shall be conducted in accordance with W.S. 22-29-113 through 22-29-117 and 22-29-305.

(c) Merger or consolidation may also be initiated by resolution adopted by the directors of two (2) or more districts. The resolution shall contain all the matters required to be stated in a petition to merge or consolidate. Upon the adoption of these resolutions, the directors of the district shall order an election which shall be conducted as provided in subsection (b) of this section.