Sec. 15. (a) The board, on its own initiative, whenever any territory, by its contour and watershed, or because of the extension of sewers by the municipality, is capable of draining sewage into or connecting with the sanitary system, may incorporate any territory, whether platted or unplatted, into the district by adopting a resolution to that effect describing the reason it is to be included. A certified copy of the resolution is conclusive evidence in any proceeding that the territory described was properly incorporated and constitutes a part of the district, subject to this chapter.

(b) Immediately after the passage of a resolution under subsection (a), a notice stating the time and place for a public hearing on the resolution shall be published in accordance with IC 5-3-1. By the date and time of the hearing any affected person may file in the office of the board a written remonstrance to having the person's lands included. The board shall either confirm, modify, or rescind the resolution after the hearing. An appeal may be taken from the decision by one (1) or more persons considering themselves aggrieved or injuriously affected, as long as those appealing have filed written remonstrances, as provided in this subsection, by filing their complaint within thirty (30) days after the final decision of the board. The appeal shall be governed by IC 34-13-6.

(c) If the court is satisfied upon hearing an appeal under subsection (b):

(1) that less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the persons owning property in the territory sought to be incorporated in the district have remonstrated; and

(2) that the incorporation of the territory into the district will be for its interest and will cause no manifest injury to the persons owning property in the territory;

the court shall so find and the incorporation shall be ordered. If the court is satisfied that seventy-five percent (75%) or more of the persons owning property in the territory sought to be incorporated have remonstrated, then the incorporation may not be ordered unless the court further finds from the evidence that unless it is incorporated, the health and welfare of residents of the territory or of the adjoining lands will be materially affected and that the safety and welfare of the inhabitants and property of other persons and property will be endangered.

(d) Pending an appeal under subsection (b) and during the time within which the appeal may be taken, the territory sought to be incorporated is not a part of the district. Upon the determination of the appeal, the judgment must particularly describe the resolution upon which the appeal is based. The clerk of the court shall deliver a certified copy of the judgment to the secretary of the board, who shall record it in the minute book of the board and make a cross-reference to the page upon the margin where the original resolution was recorded. If a decision is adverse to an incorporation, further proceedings may not be taken by the board to incorporate that territory within the district for a period of one (1) year after the rendition of the judgment.

[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citation: 19-2-14-7 part.]

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.98. Amended by Acts 1981, P.L.45, SEC.67; P.L.1-1998, SEC.216; P.L.127-2017, SEC.319.