(a)        Whenever a district has been organized under the provisions of this Article, a county as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160A-662(a) or a city within that county, or a city that did not join in the organization of a district but is geographically located within the district may, with the consent of the district as evidenced by a resolution adopted by a majority of the members of the Board of Trustees of the district, join the district.

(b)        A county or city desiring to join an existing district shall signify its desire by resolution adopted after a public hearing thereon, notice of which hearing shall be given in the manner and at the time provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160A-663 Such notice shall contain a brief statement of the substance of said resolution and shall state the time and place of the public hearing.

(c)        A certified copy of each resolution signifying the desire of a county or city to join an existing district, together with proof of publication of the notice of hearing on the resolution, and a certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees of the district consenting to the joining shall be filed with the Secretary of State. If the Secretary of State finds that the resolutions conform to the provisions of this Article and that the notices of hearing were properly published, the Secretary of State shall file such resolutions and proofs of publication in the office of the Secretary of State, shall issue a certificate of joinder, and shall record the certificate in the appropriate book of record. The issuance of the certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the joinder of the county or city to the district. (1997-426, s. 2.)