Section 15-1943. Minor repairs in drainage districts

1.  Application  for  the  repair,  enlargement or cleaning out of any
  ditch  originally  constructed  or  repaired  by  assessment  under  the
  provisions of title 19 of this article, or any former general or special
  drainage  laws,  if  within  a  drainage improvement district and if the
  total cost thereof shall not exceed two per cent of  the  total  of  the
  drainage  enhancements  of all parcels served by such ditch, may be made
  by any three or more  persons  liable  to  be  assessed  therefor.  Such
  application  shall be made by written petition, verified by at least one
  of the signers thereof, setting forth the work  desired,  the  estimated
  cost thereof and the need therefor.
    2.  On  receipt  of  such  petition  the  department  shall  cause  an
  examination to be made of such ditch or ditches, an estimate of the cost
  of such repairs and improvements and a special apportionment of the cost
  thereof to be prepared, and shall file a  statement  of  these  matters.
  Thereafter,  after  due notice, the department shall hear all interested
  parties with regard thereto. The filing of written objections shall  not
  be  required.  If  after the hearing the department shall determine that
  the work can be done under this section, is necessary and is desired  by
  the owners of the lands involved, it may proceed to make such repairs or
  enlargements.  The  cost of such repairs and expenses of the hearing and
  examination generally shall be apportioned upon the properties served by
  the  work  in  accordance  with  the  general  or  a  previous   special
  apportionment of the cost of such ditch or part of a ditch.
    3.  If  the  department  shall find that changes should be made in the
  apportionment, or, for any other reason, that the  work  should  not  be
  done  under  the  provisions  of  this section, it may so specify in its
  order,  giving  its  reasons  therefor,  and  return  the  case  to  the
  applicants  for  further  petition.  Money to pay for such work shall be
  raised pursuant to  the  Local  Finance  Law  and  as  elsewhere  herein
  provided.  The  whole cost of such work shall be collected within not to
  exceed three years from the date of completion of the project as may  be
  determined by the department.