(1) A county having an established community mental health services program may elect to merge with an established community mental health services program in an adjoining county. A merger shall be approved by a majority vote of the board of commissioners of each participating county, and becomes effective on the first day of January, April, July, or October immediately following the date of final approval. The merger and creation of a community mental health authority shall be in accordance with this section and section 205.

    (2) The board of commissioners of each participating county may elect by a majority vote to appoint 1 or more of the community mental health services board members to the new board, even if that action would result in a size or composition of the board that is different than that provided for in sections 212, 214, and 222.

    (3) If the board of commissioners of 1 or more participating counties does not agree to permit appointment of members to the new board in the manner provided in subsection (2), the new board shall be appointed in the manner provided in sections 212, 214, and 222.

    (4) A new board that is different in size or composition than that provided for in section 212, 214, or 222 shall be brought into compliance with those sections not later than 3 years after the date of merger.