Chapter VIIA.
SERVICE AREAS

Section 7A.l. Purpose. Service areas may be established to provide services not provided on an area-wide basis or to provide a higher level of service than that provided on an area-wide basis.

Section 7A.2. Establishment. (a) The council by ordinance may establish, alter, consolidate or abolish service areas. The council by ordinance may add or eliminate services to a service area. The ordinance shall contain the following:

(1)    Boundaries and area to be included;

(2)    Service to be provided or be eliminated; and

(3)    Other provisions the council includes.

(b)    If a petition of protest is filed with the council before the effective date of the ordinance adopted under this section, the ordinance shall be submitted to the qualified voters residing in the service area or proposed service area and if ratified shall take effect upon certification of the election. The petition shall contain signatures of at least ten percent or 100 of the qualified voters residing in the service area or proposed service area, whichever is the lesser. Each new service or each service to be eliminated shall be placed separately on the ballot and shall require ratification by a majority of the qualified voters voting on the question. There shall be no election under this subsection to eliminate a service to be provided on an area-wide basis.