(a) A proceeding for the formation of a regional district in Santa Barbara County may be initiated by resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Barbara, adopted after a hearing noticed in accordance with § 6064 of the Government Code, in lieu of the petition and proceedings related to the petition as specified in this article.

(b) The resolution shall do all of the following:

(1) Name the proposed regional district and state the reasons for forming it.

(2) Specify that the proposed regional district shall be governed by a board of five directors, to be elected in accordance with this article.

(3) Specify the territory to be included in the proposed regional district. The territory of the proposed regional district may include part of the territory within Santa Barbara County, and may include incorporated cities within that territory.

(4) Specify the boundaries of the five wards or subdistricts drawn pursuant to Section 5515.

(5) Specify that the regional district shall not have, and may not exercise, the power of eminent domain pursuant to Section 5542 or any other provision of law.

(6) Describe the methods by which the proposed regional district will be financed.

(7) Call, and give notice of, an election to be held in the proposed regional district pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 5514.

(8) Prescribe any other matters necessary to the formation of the proposed regional district.

(c) For purposes of this section, “regional district” means an open-space district formed pursuant to this section that contains part of the territory within Santa Barbara County, including all incorporated cities within that territory.

(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 755, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2001.)