The auditor of the county within which a special district, or the largest portion of a special district, is located shall assist such special district with its elections as provided in this section.

(1) The county auditor shall publish notice of an election to create a special district and notice of all special district elections not conducted by mail in a newspaper of general circulation in the special district at least once not more than ten nor less than three days before the election. The notices shall describe the election, give its date and times to be held, and indicate the election site or sites in the special district where ballots may be cast.

(2) If a special district has at least five hundred qualified voters, then the county auditor shall publish in a newspaper of general circulation in the special district a notice of the filing period and place for filing a declaration of candidacy to become a member of the governing body. This notice shall be published at least seven days prior to the closing of the filing period. If the special district has less than five hundred qualified voters, then the special district shall mail or deliver this notice to each qualified voter of the special district at least seven days prior to the closing of the filing period.

(3) All costs of the county auditor incurred related to such elections shall be reimbursed by the special district.