When a municipal corporation and a
county have entered into a written agreement providing for the
transfer to such county of all or part of the property of such
municipal corporation, proceedings may be initiated in the
superior court for that county by the filing of a petition to
which there shall be attached copies of the agreement of the
parties and of the resolutions of the governing body of the
municipal corporation and the legislative authority of the county
authorizing its execution. Such petition shall ask that the
court approve and direct the proposed transfer of property, and
any assumption of indebtedness agreed to in consideration thereof
by the county, after finding such transfer and acquisition of
property to be in the public interest and conducive to the public
health, safety, welfare, or convenience. Such petition shall be
signed by the members of the legislative authority of the county
or chief administrative officer of the municipal corporation and
the chair of the legislative authority of the county,
respectively, upon authorization by the governing body of the
municipal corporation and the legislative authority of the
county.
Within thirty days after the filing of the petition of the
parties with copies of their agreement and the resolutions
authorizing its execution attached thereto, the court shall by
order fix a date for a hearing on the petition not less than
twenty nor more than ninety days after the entry of such order
which also shall prescribe the form and manner of notice of such
hearing to be given. After considering the petition and such
evidence as may be presented at the hearing thereon, the court
may determine by decree that the proposed transfer of property is
in the public interest and conducive to the public health,
safety, welfare, or convenience, approve the agreement of the
parties and direct that such transfer be accomplished in
accordance with that agreement at the time and in the manner
prescribed by the court decree.
[2009 c 549 § 4156; 1975 1st ex.s. c 188 § 10.]
NOTES:
Severability -- 1975 1st ex.s. c 188: See RCW 36.94.921.