§ 160A-58.53.  Prerequisites to annexation.

A municipality exercising authority under this Part shall make plans for the extension of services to the area proposed to be annexed and shall, prior to the public hearing provided for in G.S. 160A-58.55, prepare a report setting forth such plans to provide services to the area proposed to be annexed. The report shall include the following:

(1) A map or maps of the municipality and adjacent territory to show the following information:

a. The present and proposed boundaries of the municipality.

b. The present major trunk water mains and sewer interceptors and outfalls, and the proposed extensions of such mains, outfalls, and lines as required in subdivision (3) of this section. The water and sewer map shall bear the seal of a registered professional engineer.

c. The general land use pattern in the area proposed to be annexed.

(2) A statement showing that the area proposed to be annexed meets the requirements of G.S. 160A-58.54.

(3) A statement setting forth the plans for extending to the area proposed to be annexed each major municipal service on substantially the same basis and in the same manner as such services are provided within the rest of the municipality prior to annexation and the method to finance the extension of major municipal services into the area proposed to be annexed as follows:

a. Provision of police protection, fire protection, solid waste collection, and street maintenance services on the effective date of annexation. A contract with a rural fire department to provide fire protection shall be an acceptable method of providing fire protection. A contract with a private firm to provide solid waste collection services shall be an acceptable method of providing solid waste collection services.

b. Extension of water and sewer services to each lot or parcel, if an installation easement is provided by the affected property owner, with a proposed timetable for construction of such mains, outfalls, and lines within three and one-half years of the effective date of annexation, in accordance with G.S. 160A-58.56.

(4) A statement of the impact of the annexation on any rural fire department providing service in the area proposed to be annexed and a statement of the impact of the annexation on fire protection and fire insurance rates in the area proposed to be annexed, if the area where service is provided is in an insurance district designated under G.S. 153A-233, a rural fire protection district under Article 3A of Chapter 69 of the General Statutes, or a fire service district under Article 16 of Chapter 153A of the General Statutes. The rural fire department shall make available to the municipality not later than 30 days following a written request from the municipality all information in its possession or control, including operational, financial, and budgetary information, necessary for preparation of a statement of impact. The municipality shall, in a timely fashion, supply the rural fire department with information requested by the rural fire department to respond to the written request. The rural fire department forfeits its rights under G.S. 160A-58.57 if it fails to make a good faith response within 45 days following receipt of the written request for information from the municipality, provided that the municipality's written request so states by specific reference to this subdivision.

(5) A statement showing how the proposed annexation will affect the municipality's finances and services, including municipal revenue change estimates. This statement shall be delivered to the clerk of the board of county commissioners at least 30 days before the date of the public informational meeting on any annexation under this Part. (2011-396, s. 9.)