1. 1. Whenever the creation of a district is desired, the owners of real property who own at least two-thirds of the real property within the proposed district may file a petition requesting the creation of a district. The petition shall be filed in the circuit court of the county in which the proposed district is located. Any petition to create a museum district pursuant to the provisions of sections 184.800 to 184.880 shall be filed on or before December 31, 1998.
2. 2. The proposed district area shall be contiguous and may contain any portion of one or more municipalities.

3. 3. The petition shall set forth:

   1. (1) The name and address of each owner of real property located within the proposed district or who is a legal voter resident within the proposed district;
   2. (2) A specific description of the proposed district boundaries including a map illustrating such boundaries;
   3. (3) A general description of the purpose or purposes for which the district is being formed, including a description of the proposed museum or museums and a general plan for its operation; and
   4. (4) The name of the proposed district.
4. 4. In the event any owner of real property within the proposed district who is named in the petition or any legal voter resident within the district shall not join in the petition or file an entry of appearance and waiver of service of process in the case, a copy of the petition shall be served upon said owner or legal voter in the manner provided by supreme court rule for the service of petitions generally. Any objections to the petition shall be raised by answer within the time provided by supreme court rule for the filing of an answer to a petition.

(L. 1997 S.B. 21)

Effective 7-7-97