A retail transactions and use tax ordinance may be adopted by the board in accordance with Part 1.6 (commencing with Section 7251) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, if two-thirds of the electors voting on the measure vote to authorize its enactment at a special election called for that purpose by the board. Notwithstanding Sections 7261 and 7262 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, the retail transactions and use tax ordinance shall provide for imposition of a tax at a rate of one-half of 1 percent or at a lower rate specified in the

ordinance.

Any transactions and use tax ordinance adopted shall be operative on the first day of the first calendar quarter commencing not less than 180 days after adoption of the ordinance.

The district may contract with the State Board of Equalization for its service in the preparations necessary to administer a transactions and use tax ordinance. The costs to be covered by the contract are to be for services of the types described in Section 7272 of the Revenue and Taxation Code for preparatory work up to the date of the adoption of the ordinance. Any dispute as to the amount of the costs shall be resolved in the same manner as provided in that section.

Prior to the operative date of the transactions and use tax ordinance, the district shall contract with the State Board of Equalization to perform all functions incident to the administration and operation of the ordinance.

If the district shall not have contracted with the State Board of Equalization prior to the operative date of its transactions and use tax ordinance, it shall nevertheless so contract, and, in such case, the operative date shall be the first day of the first calendar quarter following the execution of the contract.

Repeal of the transactions and use tax ordinance shall not be operative earlier than the first day of the first calendar quarter following the adoption of the ordinance of repeal.