Section 36-43-5. Adoption of district plan

   The governing authority of any municipality to which this chapter is applicable may create city business improvement districts by the adoption of district plans, as follows:

   (1) No such plan may be adopted except upon a written petition signed and acknowledged by either:

      (A) At least 51 percent of the municipal taxpayers (as shown by the most recent list of taxpayers billed by the municipality) of the district proposed for creation or extension; or

      (B) Municipal taxpayers owning at least 51 percent (by assessed value as shown by the most recent assessment rolls of the municipality) of the taxable property subject to ad valorem real and personal property taxation in the district;

   (2) Such petition must be accompanied by a proposed district plan, to include a budget, a formula for imposing assessments on the taxpayers within the district, and design and rehabilitation standards, if desired;

   (3) The petition shall be presented to the governing authority of the municipality, which shall refer it to the appropriate municipal departments for review of its sufficiency, reasonableness of assessments, and financial feasibility of the plan. These departments shall submit to the governing authority reports which shall approve of, disapprove of, or give qualified approval with modifications to the district plan, with reasons therefor. The governing authority shall hold a public hearing on the issue of whether such district should be created, provided that notice of the hearing shall be placed in a newspaper of general circulation in the community at least ten days prior to the date of the hearing. The governing authority may approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove the plan; and

   (4) Any district plan thus adopted may be amended from time to time or rescinded or its budget may be revised by ordinance.

Ga. L. 1981, p. 4531, § 5; Ga. L. 1992, p. 2533, § 6.