(2) For the purposes of carrying out ORS chapters 195, 196 and 197, counties may voluntarily join together with adjacent counties as authorized in ORS 190.003 to 190.620.
(3) Whenever counties and cities representing 51 percent of the population in their area petition the Land Conservation and Development Commission for an election in their area to form a regional planning agency to exercise the authority of the counties under subsection (1) of this section in the area, the commission shall review the petition. If it finds that the area described in the petition forms a reasonable planning unit, it shall call an election in the area on a date specified in ORS 203.085, to form a regional planning agency. The election shall be conducted in the manner provided in ORS chapter 255. The county clerk shall be considered the elections officer and the commission shall be considered the district elections authority. The agency shall be considered established if the majority of votes favor the establishment.
(4) If a voluntary association of local governments adopts a resolution ratified by each participating county and a majority of the participating cities therein which authorizes the association to perform the review, advisory and coordination functions assigned to the counties under subsection (1) of this section, the association may perform such duties. [Formerly 197.190]