(a) Before holding the hearing required by § 372.009, the governing body of the municipality may use the services of municipal employees, the governing body of the county may use the services of county employees, or the governing body of the municipality or county may employ consultants to prepare a report to determine whether an improvement should be made as proposed by petition or otherwise or whether the improvement should be made in combination with other improvements authorized under this subchapter. The governing body may also require that a preliminary estimate of the cost of the improvement or combination of improvements be made.
(b) For the purpose of determining the feasibility and desirability of an improvement district, the governing body may take other preliminary steps before the hearing required by § 372.009, before establishing a public improvement district, or before entering into a contract.