Whenever the creation of a hospital district is desired, a number of voters residing in the proposed district equal to ten percent of the vote cast in the proposed district in the next preceding general election may file with the county clerk in which the territory or the greater part thereof is situated a petition requesting the creation thereof. In case the proposed district which shall be contiguous is situated in two or more counties, the petition shall be filed in the office of the county clerk of the county in which the greater part of the area is situated, and the commissioners of the county commission of said county shall set the petition for public hearing. The petition shall set forth:

(1) A description of the territory to be embraced in the proposed district;

(2) The names of the municipalities located within the area;

(3) The name of the proposed district;

(4) The population of the district which shall not be less than two thousand inhabitants;

(5) The assessed valuation of the area, which shall not be less than two million five hundred thousand dollars; and

(6) A request that the question be submitted to the voters residing within the limits of the proposed hospital district whether they will establish a hospital district under this chapter to be known as “______ Hospital District” for the purpose of constructing and maintaining a public hospital.