§ 27. Cost of referendum

   (a) Governing body to defray expenses. -- Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the county governing body shall defray the expenses of:

   (1) The referendum election;

   (2) The original election of officers; and

   (3) The reasonable costs of any third party consultants hired by the county governing body to analyze issues related to the proposed incorporation.

(b) Where incorporation results. -- If the referendum vote results in incorporation, the municipal corporation shall repay the total amount of the expenses specified in subsection (a) of this section to the county governing body, within 1 year following the effective date of the incorporation.

(c) Withholding of payments. -- After 1 year from the effective date of the incorporation, a county governing body may withhold any payments due to the municipal corporation for purposes of satisfying any unpaid expenses specified in subsection (a) of this section.

HISTORY: 1955, ch. 423; 1990, ch. 659, § 2; 1998, ch. 678, § 1.