Any two or more governing bodies may by resolution or ordinance as appropriate determine that it is in the best interests of themselves and their residents to create a joint agency for the purpose of undertaking the planning, financing, development, acquisition, purchase, construction, reconstruction, improvement, enlargement, ownership, sale, lease, operation or maintenance of a project to provide for the present and future needs of the inhabitants and residents of their service areas as an alternative to or supplementary of severally and individually assuming the responsibilities of ownership in a project.
Each resolution or ordinance shall be premised upon a finding that the creation of a joint agency is in the best interests of the governing body and its residents for one or more of the following reasons:
(a) That a joint agency may be able to finance the cost of a project in a more efficient and economical manner;
(b) That a better financial market acceptance may result if one entity is responsible for issuing all of the bonds and incurring all other debt required for a project in a timely and orderly manner;
(c) That fiscal savings and other advantages may be obtained by providing a separate entity responsible for the acquisition, purchase, construction, ownership and operation of a project.
If the creation of a joint agency is found to be in the best interests of a governing body, notice of the adoption of such ordinance or resolution shall be published once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the county in which such governing body is located. Any person affected by the action of such governing body may institute an action in the circuit court for the county in which such governing body is located within twenty days following the last publication of the notice prescribed challenging the action of such governing body.
HISTORY: 1980 Act No. 491, Section 5.