(a) A district with a board consisting of seven directors may reduce the number of directors to five pursuant to this section. A reduction in the number of directors shall not be made within 180 days preceding the election of a director.
(b) In order to reduce the number of directors pursuant to this section, the board shall adopt, by a recorded vote of two-thirds of the total membership of the board, a resolution proposing to reduce the number of directors from seven to five. The resolution shall contain a map and description of the boundaries for the five divisions proposed to be established.
(c) The secretary of the district shall set a date for a public hearing on the proposal to reduce the number of directors, which shall be not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days after the date on which the board adopted the resolution described in subdivision (b). The secretary shall give notice of the hearing, which shall include a description of the proposal and shall contain a map and general description of the proposed boundaries of the five divisions. The secretary shall give notice of the hearing by publishing a notice pursuant to Section 6063 of the Government Code in at least one newspaper of general circulation within the jurisdiction of the district at least 10 days before the hearing. In addition, the secretary shall mail the notice to a person who has filed a written request for notice with the secretary at least 10 days before the hearing.
(d) At the hearing, the board shall receive and consider any written or oral comments regarding the proposed reduction in the number of directors. After receiving and considering those comments, the board, by a recorded vote of two-thirds of the total membership of the board, shall do either of the following:
(1) Disapprove the proposal.
(2) Adopt a resolution that orders the reduction in the number of members of the board.
(e) The adoption of a resolution that orders a reduction in the number of members of the board pursuant to this section is a legislative act that is subject to referendum pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 9340) of Chapter 4 of Division 9 of the Elections Code.
(f) A reduction in the number of directors and a change in division boundaries pursuant to this section shall not affect the term of office of any director. A director of a division for which boundaries have been changed shall continue to be the director of the division bearing the number of his or her division until the office becomes vacant by means of term expiration or otherwise, whether or not the director is a resident within the boundaries of the division as changed. The successor to the office of a director of a division for which boundaries have been changed shall be a resident and voter of that division.
(g) This section does not apply to districts within the County of Ventura, which are subject to the provisions of Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 74450) of Part 4.
(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 162, Sec. 186. (SB 1171) Effective January 1, 2013.)