Sec. 25. (a) This section applies only to:

(1) the acquisition of real property; or

(2) a work of improvement;

that will be financed by the issuance of bonds.

(b) If a board decides to:

(1) acquire land for any of the purposes of this chapter, either by purchase or appropriation, and to proceed with an improvement authorized by this chapter, other than surface grading and paving under section 23 of this chapter; or

(2) acquire property without proceeding at that time with an improvement; or

(3) proceed with an improvement when the property has been already secured by purchase or otherwise;

it shall adopt a resolution under subsection (c).

(c) The resolution must:

(1) declare the purpose;

(2) describe the land to be acquired, the manner of acquisition, and, in case of appropriation, other land that may be injuriously affected; or describe the land already acquired and intended to be used for the proposed improvement; and

(3) if the improvement is provided for in the resolution, require that preliminary plans and specifications and an estimate of the cost of the proposed improvement be prepared by the engineer selected to do the work.

The resolution must be open to inspection by all persons interested in or affected by the appropriation of the land or the construction of the work.

(d) Upon the adoption of the resolution, the board shall have notice of the adoption and content of it published in accordance with IC 5-3-1. The notice must name a date on which the board will receive or hear remonstrances from persons interested in or affected by the proceedings and determine the public utility and benefit of the proposed project.

(e) Notice shall be sent by certified mail to each owner of land to be appropriated under the resolution, using the owner's address as shown on the tax duplicates. In addition, notice of the land to be appropriated shall be published in accordance with IC 5-3-1. All persons affected in any manner by the proceedings, including all taxpayers in the district, are considered to be notified of the pendency of the proceedings and of all subsequent acts, hearings, adjournments, and orders of the board by the original notice by publication.

(f) In the resolution and notice, separate descriptions of each piece or parcel of land are not required, but it is a sufficient description of the property purchased, to be purchased, or to be appropriated or damaged to give a description of the entire tract by metes and bounds. It does not matter if the property is composed of one (1) or more lots or parcels or owned by one (1) or more persons.

(g) If the land or a part of it is to be acquired by purchase, the resolution must also state the maximum proposed cost. The board may, at any time before the adoption of the resolution:

(1) obtain from the owner or owners of the land an option for its purchase; or

(2) enter into a contract for its purchase upon the terms and conditions that the board considers best.

The option or contract is subject to the final action of the board confirming, modifying, or rescinding the resolution and to the condition that the land shall be paid for only out of the special fund resulting from the sale of district bonds and from local assessments, as provided in this chapter.

(h) If the board decides to acquire any lots or parcels of land by purchase, the board shall appoint three (3) qualified appraisers to appraise the land. The appraisers may not be interested, directly or indirectly, in any land to be acquired under the resolution or that may be injured or incur local benefits. The appraisers shall take an oath that they have no interest in the matter and that they will honestly and impartially make the valuation. They shall then immediately view the land and determine the true market value of it at that time. They shall report the appraisal in writing, which shall be filed with and becomes a part of the record of the proceeding. The board may not take an option on the land or enter into a contract to purchase it at a higher price than the value named in the report.

(i) The title to any land to be acquired under the resolution, whether by purchase or appropriation, does not vest in the city until it is paid for out of the special fund created by the sale of bonds and from local assessments of special benefits as provided in this chapter. Any indebtedness or obligation incurred by the board due to the acquisition of land or to construction of a work shall be paid out of the funds under the control of the board and is not an indebtedness or obligation of the city.

(j) At or before the time fixed for the hearing, an owner of land to be appropriated or injuriously affected under the resolution, or a person owning real or personal property located within the corporate boundaries of the city, may file a written remonstrance with the secretary of the board. At the hearing, which may be adjourned from time to time, the board shall hear all persons interested in the proceedings and all remonstrances that have been filed. After considering this evidence, the board shall take final action determining the public utility and benefit of the proposed project by either confirming, modifying, or rescinding the resolution. The action shall be recorded and is final and conclusive upon all persons.

[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: 19-7-9-9 part; 19-7-30-19.]

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.111. Amended by Acts 1981, P.L.320, SEC.17.