Sec. 23. (a) If the total of the assessed benefits, after deducting assessed damages, does not equal or exceed the total estimated cost of the improvement, further action may not be taken on the proposed improvement until:

(1) a second assessment of benefits and damages has been completed; or

(2) the petitioners, the municipality, or another source, separately or jointly, undertakes to provide the deficiency.

     (b) The municipal works board may request the original appraisers to make the second assessment or may appoint three (3) other qualified, disinterested appraisers to make the second assessment. The second assessment shall be completed in the same manner as the first assessment.

     (c) If a second assessment of benefits, after deducting the damages, does not equal or exceed the estimated cost of the improvement, further action may not be taken on the proposed improvement, unless the petitioners, the municipality, or another source, separately or jointly, undertakes to provide the deficiency. If the petitioners elect to provide the deficiency, further action may not be taken upon the improvement until the petitioners file with the works board a bond with adequate surety. The bond must be conditioned on payment of the net balance of the actual cost of the improvement over the total of the assessments after deducting damages.

As added by P.L.98-1993, SEC.9.