As used in this article, the term:(1) 'Cost' or 'costs' means expenses incurred by a county, municipality, and property owner or owners whose property is at issue, including, but not limited to, per diems, venue rental, teleconference charges, the use of court reporters or hearing officers, and arbitrators' fees and expenses.(2) 'Department' means the Department of Community Affairs.(3) 'Impacted school system' means a county or independent school system operating or providing services to the territory to be annexed or which would operate or provide services in a territory to be annexed.(4) 'Notice' or 'notify' means a letter that includes a description of the property to be annexed, a description of the proposed zoning classification and land use of the area to be annexed, and pursuant to Code Section 36-36-4, information on the time and place of the public hearing on zoning of the property to be annexed.(5) 'Verifiable delivery' means hand delivery, electronic mail, certified mail, or statutory overnight delivery, provided that the means of delivery allows for verification of the delivery of such notice.Added by 2022 Ga. Laws 785,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2022.