(a) The governing body of a municipality or, for an unincorporated area, the commissioners court of the county, shall on its own motion or on application of at least 100 residents:
(1) hear evidence as the governing body or commissioners court considers necessary; and
(2) determine whether a connection between different lines or other arrangements for transfer of messages is:
(A) necessary for public convenience; and
(B) just to the telegraph companies.
(b) After conducting a hearing and making the determinations required by Subsection (a), the governing body or commissioners court shall issue an order that:
(1) includes the findings of the governing body or commissioners court;
(2) specifies the conditions under which the arrangements for transfer of messages will be made; and
(3) specifies the proportion of expense to be paid by the owner or operator of each line.