1. Any owner of real property within the proposed district may join in or file a petition supporting or answer opposing the creation of the district and seeking a judgment respecting these same issues.

2. The court shall hear the case without a jury. If the court determines the petition is defective or the proposed district or its plan of operation is unconstitutional, it shall enter its judgment to that effect and shall refuse to incorporate the district as requested in the pleadings. If the court determines the petition is not legally defective and the proposed district and plan of operation are not unconstitutional, the court shall determine and declare the district organized and incorporated and shall approve the plan of operation stated in the petition.

Terms Used In Missouri Laws 184.820

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Pleadings: Written statements of the parties in a civil case of their positions. In the federal courts, the principal pleadings are the complaint and the answer.
  • Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.

3. Any party having filed a petition or answer to a petition may appeal the circuit court’s order or judgment in the same manner as provided for other appeals. Any order either refusing to incorporate the district or incorporating the district shall be deemed a final judgment for purposes of appeal.