Sec. 9. (a) At the public hearing under section 8 of this chapter, the commission shall hear all owners in the proposed district (who appear and request to be heard) upon the questions of:

(1) the sufficiency of the notice;

(2) whether the proposed improvement and maintenance project is of public utility and benefit;

(3) whether all of the probable benefits of the proposed improvement and maintenance project will be equal to or exceed the estimated cost of the project or any limitation on the amount of the levy, whichever is less;

(4) whether the formula to be used for the assessment of special benefits and damages is appropriate; and

(5) whether the district contains all, or more or less than all, of the property specially benefited or damaged by the proposed project.

     (b) After the public hearing (which may be adjourned from time to time without further notice), the commission shall make a determination on the following questions:

(1) Whether the required notice was given.

(2) Whether the proposed improvement and maintenance project is of public utility and benefit.

(3) Whether all of the probable benefits of the proposed project will equal or exceed the estimated cost of the project or any limitation on the amount of the assessment levy, whichever is less.

(4) Whether the formula to be used for the assessment of special benefits and damages is appropriate.

(5) Whether the proposed improvement and maintenance district contains all, or more, or less than all, of the real property specially benefited or damaged by the proposed project.

     (c) If the commission resolves affirmatively on questions (1) through (4) in subsection (b) and determines that the proposed district contains all of the real property specially benefited or damaged, and does not contain real property not specially benefited or damaged, then it shall adopt the resolution establishing the district with the boundaries described in the resolution.

     (d) If the commission resolves negatively on question (1), (2), (3), or (4) in subsection (b), it may amend the resolution, issue additional notice, and hold further proceedings as it considers proper, or the commission may reject the resolution.

     (e) If the commission resolves affirmatively on questions (1) through (4) in subsection (b) and determines that real property not specially benefited or damaged has been included within the proposed boundaries, then it shall redefine the boundaries of the proposed district and include only the real property that is specially benefited or damaged, and shall establish the district with the boundaries as redefined.

     (f) If the commission resolves affirmatively on questions (1) through (4) in subsection (b) and determines that either:

(1) all of the real property specially benefited or damaged has not been included within the proposed boundaries; or

(2) all of the real property specially benefited or damaged has not been included within the proposed boundaries, and some real property has been included which is not specially benefited or damaged;

then it shall fix a date for an additional hearing. Notice of the additional hearing shall be given by publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1 and by certified mail at least twenty (20) days before the hearing to the owners in an area proposed to be added to the district that was not included in the initial petition. The notice must describe the proposed revised boundaries. At the additional hearing, all owners of real property or their representatives within the proposed district boundaries, as revised, may be heard, after which the commission shall adopt its resolution on establishment of the improvement and maintenance district.

     (g) Adoption of a resolution under this section constitutes notice to all owners who have appeared, or who have been notified of the proceedings, as provided in this section, that their property will be subject to an assessment of special benefits and damages as provided in this chapter.

As added by P.L.194-1988, SEC.1.