If an assessment proves insufficient to pay the cost of a water resource project, the board of trustees of a regional water and sewer district may levy an additional assessment to supply the deficiency. Such additional assessment shall be levied against the same properties as were assessed for the cost of the project and shall be assessed among such properties in the same proportion as the assessment for the cost of the project was levied. In case a larger amount from an assessment than is necessary to pay the cost of the project or to retire the bonds or notes issued in anticipation thereof, the amount of such assessments collected in excess of that necessary to pay such cost or retire such bonds or notes shall be returned to the persons from whom it was collected in proportion to the amounts collected from each such person respectively.

When it appears to the board that a special assessment is invalid by reason of informality or irregularity in the proceedings, or when an assessment is adjudged to be illegal by a court of competent jurisdiction, the board may order a reassessment whether the project has been made or not.

Proceedings upon a reassessment, and for the collection thereof, shall be conducted in the same manner as is provided for the original assessment.

Proceedings with respect to projects to be paid for in whole or in part by special assessments shall be liberally construed by the board and by the courts in order to secure a speedy completion of the work at reasonable cost, and the speedy collection of the assessment after the time has elapsed for its payment. Merely formal objections shall be disregarded, but the proceedings shall be strictly construed in favor of the owner of the property assessed or injured as to any limitation on assessment of private property and compensation for damages sustained.

With respect to any assessment upon the abutting, adjacent, and contiguous, or other specially benefited lots or lands in a regional water and sewer district for any part of the cost connected with a project, the passage by the board of a resolution levying such assessment shall be construed a declaration by such board that the project for which it is levied is conducive to the public health, convenience, and welfare. No assessment shall be held invalid by any court because of the omission of the board to declare expressly in the proceedings and legislation for such project and assessment that the project is conducive to the public health, safety, convenience, or welfare.

Effective Date: 11-19-1971 .