(1) Consolidation or merger may be placed on the ballot only by a joint report by cooperative study commissions.
(2) A final report, in addition to the material required in 7-3-187, must contain a consolidation plan if county-municipal consolidation or county merger is recommended. The consolidation plan must conform to the provisions and requirements relating to petitions in:
(a) 7-3-143 whenever county-municipal consolidation is recommended; or
(b) 7-3-144 whenever county merger is recommended.