The liability of a county for annual operating deficits shall cease and terminate not later than 5 years from the making of the agreement between the municipality and the county. The auditor of the county may conduct independent audits of the consolidated hospital for the purpose of determining the amounts of any deficits incurred by the hospital during the said 5-year period in providing maternity and gynecological services pursuant to the agreement authorized by this act.

L.1974, c. 8, s. 5, eff. March 5, 1974.