11-131. Definitions In this article, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. " Affected county" means each existing county affected by a proposed formation of new counties. 2. " Assessed valuation" means the net assessed valuation used for purposes of levying primary property taxes for the tax year immediately preceding the filing of the petition for […]
11-132. Methods of formation; requirements A. Counties may be formed or divided either by legislative enactment, by statewide initiative pursuant to article IV, part 1, section 1, Constitution of Arizona, or by county initiative pursuant to this article. The requirements of this article, however, do not apply to counties formed or divided by legislative enactment […]
11-133. Petition; contents A. The division or formation of counties pursuant to this article shall be initiated by petition. The petition shall be addressed to the secretary of state and shall contain: 1. The name and address of the person or organization proposing the formation of new counties. 2. The name of the affected county […]
11-134. Notice of intention to circulate petitions A. Before circulating a petition for the formation of new counties, the proponents shall file a notice of intention to do so with the secretary of state who shall transmit a copy to the clerk of the board of supervisors of each affected county. The notice shall include […]
11-135. Filing of petition; review; certification of results A. Completed petitions shall be filed with the secretary of state. All copies and counterparts of the petition shall be filed at the same time. B. The secretary of state shall not accept the petition unless the signatures have been obtained and the petition is submitted for […]
11-136. County formation commission A. Within fifteen days of receipt of certification of the petition pursuant to section 11-135, subsection D, the governor shall appoint a county formation commission of three members, none of whom may reside in an affected county and no more than two of whom may be members of the same political […]
11-137. Election on formation of new counties A. The secretary of state shall call a special election in the affected county or counties for the approval or disapproval of the proposed new county or counties. The election shall be held on the eighth Tuesday following the issuance of the commission’s report under section 11-136, subsection […]
11-138. Report by political action committees A political action committee, as defined in section 16-901, promoting or opposing the formation of new counties under this article shall register with and report to the secretary of state and otherwise comply with the requirements of title 16, chapter 6 regarding the election under section 11-137.
11-139. Compliance with federal law If the formation of new counties is approved by an election pursuant to section 11-137, the attorney general shall immediately initiate proceedings to determine compliance with applicable federal laws. The commission, with the concurrence of the attorney general, may correct minor deficiencies in order to achieve compliance, but if it […]
11-140. Election of county officers A. County officers of new counties, except clerk of the superior court, shall be nominated and elected at the next regular primary election and general election at which the president of the United States is elected following the election on formation. County officers shall not be elected for the affected […]
11-141. Determination of names and county seats of new counties A. The new county in which the county seat of an affected county is located shall retain the name of the affected county. The county seat of an affected county shall continue as the county seat of the new county in which it is located. […]
11-142. Organization of new county; powers and duties of county officers pending organization A. A new county approved pursuant to this article is officially organized and exists and the affected county or counties are officially terminated from and after December 31 following the election of county officers pursuant to section 11-140. The affected county or […]
11-143. Distribution board A. After the new county or counties are organized a special district governed by a distribution board is established consisting of the territory of the formerly existing affected county or counties. The function of the distribution board is to determine and accomplish the division, transfer and distribution of and payment for the […]
11-144. Resolution of disputes; appeals; termination of commission A. After the formation of new counties is approved pursuant to the election held under section 11-137 the commission shall act to resolve disagreements involving terminating and transferring the affairs of the affected county or counties, community college, school districts and special taxing districts and actions of […]
11-145. Payment of costs of county formation A. All costs of the secretary of state and of the commission under this article are charges against the affected county or counties before their termination and against the new counties after their organization. Costs which can be identified with a specific county shall be charged against that […]
