(A) As used in this section and section 4905.491 of the Revised Code, “rate division” means a separate tariff of a water-works or sewage disposal system company for one or more geographic customer areas.

(B) A water-works or sewage disposal system company acquiring a municipal water-works or sewage disposal system company as described in section 4909.052 of the Revised Code shall recommend whether the geographic area of the customers of the company being acquired shall be integrated into an existing rate division of the acquiring company or given a new rate division. If the recommendation is for integration into an existing rate division, the acquiring company shall recommend how the area is to be integrated.

(C) The recommendations made under division (B) of this section shall be mutually agreed upon by the two companies.