(a)
Before circulating any petition pursuant to Section 13845, 13846, or 13848 the chief petitioners shall publish a notice of intention which shall include a written statement not to exceed 500 words in length, setting forth the reasons for the proposal. The notice shall be published pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code in one or more newspapers of general circulation within the district. If the district is located in more than one county, publication of the notice shall be made in at least one newspaper of general circulation in each of the counties.
(b)
The notice shall be signed by at least one, but not more than three, chief petitioners and shall be in substantially the following form:
“Notice of Intent to Circulate Petition
Notice is hereby given of the intention to circulate a petition affecting the Board of Directors of the ______ (name of the district). The petition proposes that ______ (description of the proposal).”
(c)
Within five days after the date of publication, the chief petitioners shall file with the secretary of the district board a copy of the notice together with an affidavit made by a representative of the newspaper in which the notice was published certifying to the fact of publication.
(d)
After the filing required pursuant to subdivision (c), the petition may be circulated for signatures.