Upon receiving any notice under Kan. Stat. Ann. § 12-3504, the secretary shall give notice thereof to all interested department heads, the attorney general, and such other state officers as the secretary may determine. The secretary, the attorney general or any department head specified by the secretary shall be authorized by himself or by herself or by his or her representative to represent the state of Kansas in negotiations relating to such special assessment tax, or protest thereof. Such representation may be either in writing or by personal appearance or otherwise.