1. 1. Cities within a county may unite to form a single unit of local government in accordance with this chapter. Any city located in two or more counties shall be allowed to participate in a metropolitan consolidation in the county where at least fifty percent of its population resides. An alternative form of metropolitan government shall be submitted to the electorate by a commission in the form of a charter or charter amendment proposed in accordance with this chapter.

2. 2. Participation in a charter commission under this chapter may be proposed by:

   1. a. The city council adopting a resolution calling for participation.
   2. b. By petition of the number of eligible electors of the city equal to at least twenty-five percent of the votes cast in the city at the last regular city election petitioning the council to adopt a resolution calling for participation. The council shall within thirty days of the filing of a valid petition adopt such a resolution.

91 Acts, ch 256, §40