The formation of a joint park and recreation district shall be initiated by a petition as prescribed in RCW
36.69.020. The petition shall be filed with the county auditor of one of the counties within which a portion of the proposed joint district is located. A copy of the petition shall be filed with the county auditor of the other county or counties within which a portion of the proposed joint district is located. The county auditors shall jointly certify the sufficiency or insufficiency of the petition to the legislative authorities of the counties.