Sec. 16. (a) The court shall set a hearing as early as possible, but not later than twenty (20) days after the filing of the objections with the court. All interested parties shall appear in court without further notice. The unit may not hold further proceedings concerning the improvement until the matters presented by the objections are heard and determined by the court. The matters shall be heard and determined by the court without a jury.

     (b) The court shall hear the evidence on the date fixed under subsection (a). The court may confirm the order of the works board or sustain the objections. The order of the court is conclusive, and all subsequent proceedings concerning the improvement must conform to the order.

     (c) A special judge may be appointed if for any reason the regular judge of the court cannot hear the objections within the twenty (20) day time limit established by subsection (a).

As added by P.L.98-1993, SEC.7.