Notice of the passage of a resolution for a grade crossing improvement shall be served by the sheriff of the county, upon the owner of each piece of property which will be affected by any change of grade, in the manner provided for the service of summons in civil actions. If any of such owners are nonresidents of the county, or if it appears from the return that they cannot be found, the notice shall be published for at least two weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code. Notice shall be completed at least twenty days before any work is done on such improvement, and the sheriff's return shall be prima-facie evidence of the facts recited therein.

Section 727.18 of the Revised Code shall apply to the notice provided for in this section, and to all claims for damages by reason of such improvement. Such claims shall be filed with the county auditor within the time, and rights thereunder shall pass to vendees, as provided in such section. After the expiration of the time provided for the filing of claims, the board of county commissioners, when claims have been filed within the time limited, shall determine, by resolution, whether such claims are to be judicially inquired into before commencing or after the completion of the proposed improvement. Thereupon, the county prosecutor shall make application for a jury, to the court of common pleas, or probate court of the county, before commencing or after the completion of the improvement, as the board determines, and all proceedings upon such application shall be governed by the laws relating to similar applications provided for in cases of city improvements.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.28, HB 153, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2011.

Effective Date: 10-01-1953 .