This section lets affected owners object to the commissioners’ report, lets certain landowners claim damages, and requires the commissioners and secretary to hear, record, file, and confirm the hearing results.
Sec. 57.269. HEARING; JUDGMENT. (a) An owner of land or other property affected by the report of the commissioners of appraisement or by the engineer's report may file an objection to any or all parts of the report of the commissioners of appraisement at or before the hearing on the report. (b) A person on whose land no damages have been assessed and who believes that his land will be damaged by prosecution of the engineer's report may file with the secretary of the board a claim for damages. (c) The commissioners of appraisement, at the time and place named in the notice, shall hear and decide all objections and claims for damages and may make changes and modifications in the report. (d) The commissioners of appraisement may adjourn the hearing from day to day. (e) After modifying the report to conform to the changes decided on at the hearing, the commissioners of appraisement shall make a decree confirming the report as modified. (f) If necessary the commissioners shall condemn and adjudge damages for land inside or outside the district that is needed for right-of-way or other purposes. (g) The commissioners shall adjudge and apportion costs incurred on the hearing in an equitable manner. (h) The findings of the commissioners of appraisement as to benefits is final and conclusive. (i) The secretary shall record the findings of benefits in the minutes of the board and shall file certified copies of the findings with the county clerk of each county in which any portion of the land inside the district is located. The filing is notice to all persons of the contents of the decree. Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 110, ch. 58, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1971. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1248, Sec. 72, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 248, Sec. 51, eff. June 18, 2003.