(a) Unless funds are otherwise provided by the Secretary for Environmental Protection, before the referendum vote is conducted by the secretary, the proponents of the council shall deposit with the secretary the amount that the secretary determines is necessary to defray the expenses of preparing the necessary lists and information and conducting the referendum vote.
(b) Any funds not used in carrying out this article shall be returned to the proponents of the council who deposited the funds with the secretary.
(c) Upon the establishment of the council, the council may reimburse the proponents of the council for any funds deposited by the proponents with the secretary that were used in carrying out this article, and for any legal expenses and costs incurred in establishing the council.