Within twenty days after the adoption of the plan for reclamation the secretary of the board of supervisors shall prepare and transmit a certified copy thereof to the circuit clerk of the court organizing the levee district, and at the same time the board of supervisors shall file with the circuit clerk a petition asking the judge of such court to appoint commissioners to appraise the lands within and without the district to be acquired for rights-of-way, holding basins and other works of the district, and to assess benefits and damages accruing to all lands in the district and other property by reason of the execution of the plan for reclamation. Within thirty days after the filing of such petition the judge of such court, either in term time or vacation, shall, by an order, appoint three commissioners, who shall be residents of the state of Missouri, and who shall not be landowners in the district nor of kin within the fourth degree of consanguinity to any person owning land in the district. A majority of the commissioners shall constitute a quorum and shall control the action of the board on all questions.