Iowa Code Title IX. Local Government [Chs. 331-420] § 368.19. Time limit--election

1. The committee shall approve or disapprove the petition or plan as amended, within ninety days of the final hearing, and shall file its decision for record and promptly notify the parties to the proceeding of its decision. If a petition or plan is approved, the board shall submit the proposal at an election held on a date specified in section 39.2, subsection 4, paragraph “a” or “b”, whichever is applicable, and the county commissioner of elections shall conduct the election. In a case of incorporation or discontinuance, registered voters of the territory or city may vote, and the proposal is authorized if a majority of those voting approves it. In a case of annexation or severance, registered voters of the territory and of the city may vote, and the proposal is authorized if a majority of the total number of persons voting approves it. In a case of consolidation, registered voters of each city to be consolidated may vote, and the proposal is authorized only if it receives a favorable majority vote in each city. The county commissioner of elections shall publish notice of the election as provided in section 49.53 and shall conduct the election in the same manner as other special elections.

2. The city shall provide to the commissioner of elections a map of the area to be incorporated, discontinued, annexed, severed, or consolidated, which must be approved by the commissioner as suitable for posting. The map shall be displayed prominently in at least one place within the voting precinct, and inside each voting booth.

3. The costs of an incorporation election shall be borne by the initiating petitioners if the election fails, but if the proposition is approved the cost shall become a charge of the new city.