(a) Any number of natural persons, not less than three, residing in any county or counties within the proposed authority’s authorized operational area may incorporate an authority as provided in this chapter. To do so, the incorporators shall first file a written application in accordance with the provisions of this section and Section 11-92A-4.
(b) The authorized operational area of an authority may include any portion of one but not more than five counties. If more than one county is included in an authority’s authorized operational area, each county, or portion thereof, included therein shall be contiguous with at least one other county, or portion thereof, included therein so that the authority’s authorized operational area encompasses a unified territory.