Sec. 5. (a) The circuit court, superior court, or probate court shall hear a petition filed under section 4 of this chapter without a jury. The hearing may be continued and adjourned from time to time as the court may direct. There may be a change of judge as in civil cases, but no change of venue from the county.

     (b) All persons affected by the establishment of the proposed flood control district or the construction of the proposed flood control district or the construction of the proposed flood control works may file objections showing any reason why:

(1) the district should not be established;

(2) the works should not be constructed; or

(3) their property should or should not be included in the proposed district.

The court shall hear evidence and determine the facts upon these issues. All objections shall be filed at least two (2) days before the date fixed for the hearing.

     (c) If the court finds that a necessity exists for the establishment of a flood control district and the construction and installation of flood control works as requested by the petition, the court shall render judgment accordingly and shall enter a decree establishing the district, describing it in such a manner that the property included in it may be sufficiently identified and segregated to permit the levy and collection of the special taxes provided for by this chapter. There is no appeal from such a judgment, and, after the entry of such a decree, the establishment of the district may not be questioned in any action or proceeding, except as otherwise provided by this chapter.

     (d) If the court finds that no necessity exists for the establishment of the flood control district, the proceedings shall be dismissed at the cost of the petitioning city.

     (e) If it appears to the court that the boundaries of the flood control district as described in the declaratory resolution should be changed, or that changes in the flood control works as described in the declaratory resolution should be made, and that such changes will beneficially or injuriously affect property that would not have been so affected by the district and works proposed in the declaratory resolution, then the court may enter an interlocutory order to that effect and fix a time for further hearing on the petition.

     (f) The date for a hearing under subsection (e) may not be less than ten (10) nor more than fifteen (15) days after the order. The court shall direct the clerk of the court to publish a notice of the hearing that sets out a brief summary of the order, including a brief description of the changes the court proposes to make in respect to the boundaries or works. The notice shall be published in accordance with IC 5-3-1. The notice must state the time and place for the continuation of the hearing on the petition, and advise all parties affected by the proposed changes that they may appear and be heard. Objections may be filed in the manner prescribed by subsection (a), but must be filed at least two (2) days before the time fixed for the continuation of the hearing and must be based solely on the changes proposed to be made. If, at the conclusion of the continued hearing, the court finds that all or part of the proposed changes should be made, or that the district should be established and the works constructed as provided for in the declaratory resolution, the court shall render judgment accordingly and enter a decree as provided under subsection (c).

[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citation: 19-4-18-3.]

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.105. Amended by Acts 1981, P.L.45, SEC.88; P.L.84-2016, SEC.192.