(a) The county commissioners, county council, or Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City or circuit court for the county in which the proceedings are pending may, on application of any party and at any time before a final decision is made, grant leave to a party to amend the petition or any part of the proceedings that may be defective or informal so as to bring the merits of the case before the county commissioners, county council, or Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City for a decision or a jury of the circuit court for trial.

(b) The county commissioners, county council, or Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City or the circuit court may award costs.