Sec. 3. (a) When part of a township is owned by the state or the United States, devoted to a public use, and withdrawn from taxation for local purposes, and:
(1) less than eighteen (18) square miles of the township remains subject to taxation; or
(2) the township is divided into two (2) or more separate sections by the government owned part;
the county executive may issue an order to alter the boundaries of the township and adjoining townships on receipt of a petition signed by at least thirty-five percent (35%) of the resident freeholders of a part of the township adjoining another township.
(b) A boundary alteration under this section is effective when a copy of the order is filed with:
(1) the circuit court clerk; and
(2) the office of the secretary of state.