Whenever the department of revenue receives from any county assessor a request for special assistance in the valuation of property, it shall have the option of either entering into a statutory contract for special assistance, or providing such services on an informal basis. All requests for special assistance must be made in writing by the county assessor or the board of county commissioners. The written request shall state the extent of the work to be accomplished and shall be forwarded to the director of the department of revenue.

The department of revenue shall consider the request and shall advise the assessor in writing within 30 days of receipt of the request that such request is either approved or rejected in whole or in part. The department of revenue is not obligated to provide services until accepting the request.

(1) Contracts for special assistance - If the department of revenue chooses to enter into the statutory contract it shall proceed to negotiate a written contract with the assessor and the board of county commissioners within 30 days after receipt of the request for assistance initiated by the county. The contract shall contain, but is not limited to the following provisions:

(a) It shall be in writing;

(b) It shall be signed by the director of the department of revenue, the board of county commissioners, and the county assessor of the county in which the work is to be done;

(c) A description of the work to be done, beginning and completion dates of the work, total estimated cost of the work, a statement of the county's share of the estimated cost (no less than 50% of the total cost), and the method and term (not exceeding 3 years from date of expenditure) of payment.

(2) Services on an informal basis - If the department of revenue provides services on an informal basis, payment for such services shall be made by the board of county commissioners on completion of the work. Prior to providing services on an informal basis the department and the county shall stipulate in writing the extent of the services to be performed and the amount, if any, to be reimbursed by the county in payment for such services.

(3) "Inter-Local Cooperation Act" - Special projects performed on a cooperative basis for the mutual advantage of the department of revenue and one or more of the counties may be conducted under the provisions of chapter 239, Laws of 1967. Such projects may include, but are not limited to, development of appraisal methods and procedures, research, development of data processing systems, form design, and other projects where close cooperation of the state and county governments is desirable.