(a) Any person filing a petition shall deposit with the clerk of the commissioners court cash, in an amount to be determined by the county election officer, which shall be held by the clerk until the result of the election to create the district and issue bonds is officially announced.
(b) If the result of the election favors creating the district, the clerk shall return the deposit to the petitioners or their agent or attorney, but if the result of the election is against the creation of the district, the clerk shall pay the cost and expenses of the election from the deposit with vouchers signed by the county judge and return the balance of the deposit to the petitioners or their agent or attorney.