Whenever the board of trustees of any sanitary district shall pass an ordinance for the making of any improvement which such district is authorized to make, the making of which will require that private property should be taken or damaged, such district may cause compensation therefor to be ascertained, and condemn and acquire possession thereof in the same manner as nearly as may be as is provided for the exercise of the right of eminent domain under the Eminent Domain Act: Provided, however, that proceedings to ascertain the compensation to be paid for taking or damaging private property shall in all cases, be instituted in the county where the property sought to be taken or damaged is situated; and provided, that all damages to property, whether determined by agreement or by final judgment of court, shall be paid prior to the payment of any other debt or obligation.