Sec. 32. (a) A person notified or considered to be notified under the preceding sections of this chapter may remonstrate in writing against an award or assessment and appear before the board on the day fixed for hearing remonstrances. Every person appearing before the board having an interest in the proceedings shall be given a hearing. After the remonstrances have been received and the hearings held, the board shall either sustain, increase, or decrease the awards or assessments.

(b) A person remonstrating in writing who is aggrieved by the decision of the board may take an appeal to the circuit or superior court in the county in which the city is located. The appeal affects only the amount of the assessment or award of the person appealing.

(c) The appeal may be taken by filing an original complaint in court against the board within ten (10) days after the board's decision. The complaint must set forth the action of the board regarding the assessment or award and the facts relied upon as showing an error of the board. The court, or if requested by a property owner or the board, a jury, shall rehear the matter of the assessment or award de novo and either confirm, decrease, or increase the amount. The cause shall be tried as a civil case. All remonstrances upon which an appeal is taken may be consolidated and heard as one (1) cause of action and shall be heard and determined as soon as practical.

(d) If the amount of benefits assessed against the property is decreased by ten percent (10%) or more, or if the amount of damages is increased by ten percent (10%) or more, the plaintiff is entitled to recover costs.

[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: 19-7-30-26; 19-7-30-27.]

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