Sec. 254.015. APPEALS BY PROPERTY OWNERS. (a) A person aggrieved by an assessment may appeal from the final order of the commissioners court approving the report of the jury of view to the appropriate court in the county by:

(1) giving notice of the appeal in open court;

(2) having the notice entered as part of the judgment of the court; and

(3) filing a transcript of the proceeding in the commissioners court with the justice or clerk of the court to which the appeal is taken.

(b) The transcript must be filed not later than the 10th day after the date the judgment of the commissioners court is entered, and must be filed with an appeal bond that has at least two good sureties. The appeal bond must:

(1) be in an amount that is at least twice the amount of the probable costs to accrue;

(2) be conditioned that the appellant will prosecute the appeal to effect and pay all costs that may be adjudged against the appellant in the appeal; and

(3) be approved by the clerk or justice of the court.

(c) The issue in an appeal from an assessment of expense is whether the assessment made against the appellant for construction of the ditch is in proportion to the benefit to the real property derived from the ditch.

(d) The issue in an appeal from an assessment of compensation is whether the assessment of compensation made by the jury of view is adequate to the damage suffered and to the value of the property.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.