80-7-504. Financing of control program. (1) One-third of the costs of a cropland spraying program or alternative program conducted by the state shall be paid by the state. Prior to the implementation of any state or county control program, the department and the governing body of any county for which the program is proposed shall enter into an interlocal or management agreement on the maximum amount of moneys each shall appropriate or provide toward the proposed program. If either party does not sign and approve the agreement, the program may not be conducted.

(2) Individual farm and ranch landowners may formally petition by written affidavit protesting their inclusion within the proposed cropland spraying program. The department or local governing body shall refrain from spraying any land petitioned to be excluded. Such excluded land remains subject to assessment under 80-7-505. The governing body of any county for which a control program is intended shall proceed as provided by local government statutes.

(3) If the department conducts the program, it shall pay all costs of the program. The county shall pay its share and the landowner's share as provided in 80-7-505 to the department for deposit in the appropriate fund.

(4) If the county conducts the program, it shall pay all costs of the program including its share. The department shall pay one-third of the costs of the cropland spraying program from moneys appropriated for that purpose to the county in which the program was conducted. The county treasurer shall collect the landowner's special assessment as provided in 80-7-505.