Section 373.4. Commission procedures and reports.

  1.  Within sixty days after its organization, the commission shall hold at least one public hearing for the purpose of receiving information and material which will assist in the drafting of a charter. Notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing shall be published in the official county newspapers of each county in which the participating cities are located.

  2.  Within nine months after the organization of the commission, the commission shall submit a preliminary report to the councils of the participating cities, which report may include the text of the proposed charter. If a proposed charter is included in the preliminary report, the report shall also include an analysis of the fiscal impact of the proposed charter. Sufficient copies of the report shall be made available for distribution to residents of the participating cities who request a copy. The commission shall hold at least one public hearing after submission of the preliminary report to obtain public comment.

  3.  Within twenty months after organization, the commission shall submit the final report to the councils of the participating cities. If the commission recommends a charter of consolidation, the final report shall include the full text and an explanation of the proposed charter, an analysis of the fiscal impact of the proposed charter, any comments deemed desirable by the commission, and any minority reports. The final report may recommend no change to the existing form of government and that no charter be submitted to the electorate, or it may recommend consolidation of the participating cities with the county. If the board of supervisors by resolution agrees to participate in consolidation, then the participating cities and county shall proceed under sections 331.231 through 331.252.

  4.  The final report of the commission shall be made available to the residents of the participating cities upon request. A summary of the final report shall be published in the official newspapers of the county. If a charter is not recommended, the commission is dissolved upon submission of its final report to the councils of the participating cities.

91 Acts, ch 256, §43