Mississippi Code
Chapter 29 - Drainage Districts with Local Commissioners
§ 51-29-11. Presentation of petitions

If upon the hearing provided for in Sections 51-29-5 through 51-29-9 a petition is presented to the chancery court, or the chancellor in vacation, signed by a majority of the landholders owning one third of the land, or by one third of the landholders owning a majority of the land, praying that the improvements be made, it shall be the duty of the court or chancellor to make the order establishing the district without further inquiry, if it appear that the establishment thereof be necessary for the promotion of public health and for agricultural purposes. However, if upon that day a petition signed by a majority of the landowners owning one third of the land, or by one third of the landowners owning a majority of the land, be presented praying that the improvements be not made, it shall be the duty of the court or chancellor to so order; but if no such petition is filed, it shall be the duty of the court or chancellor to investigate as provided in the aforesaid sections and to establish such drainage districts as he is of the opinion the establishment thereof will be to the advantage of the owners of real property therein, and is for the public benefit. The petition provided for therein may be signed by women, whether married or single, owning land in the proposed district; guardians may sign for their wards; and trustees, executors, and administrators may sign for the estates represented by them; and if the signature of any corporation thereto is attested by the corporate seal, the same shall be sufficient evidence of the assent of the corporation to said petition.

Structure Mississippi Code

Mississippi Code

Title 51 - Waters, Water Resources, Water Districts, Drainage, and Flood Control

Chapter 29 - Drainage Districts with Local Commissioners

§ 51-29-1. Scope of chapter

§ 51-29-3. Definitions

§ 51-29-5. Creation of drainage districts

§ 51-29-7. Organization of district in two or more counties

§ 51-29-9. Hearing on engineer's report

§ 51-29-11. Presentation of petitions

§ 51-29-13. Order establishing district

§ 51-29-15. Commissioners appointed; vacancies; removal; quorum

§ 51-29-17. Terms of office and compensation

§ 51-29-19. Power and duties of commissioners

§ 51-29-21. Content of plans

§ 51-29-23. Payment of costs for abandoned improvements

§ 51-29-25. Costs for proceedings abandoned and afterwards resumed

§ 51-29-27. Plans and estimates of commissioners to be filed

§ 51-29-29. Preparation of assessment roll

§ 51-29-31. Notice of assessment to landowners

§ 51-29-33. Approved roll to be final assessment

§ 51-29-35. Condemnation proceedings

§ 51-29-37. Employment of counsel

§ 51-29-39. Appraisement by commissioners as alternate method to acquire land and damage compensation

§ 51-29-41. Hearing of appraisement and objections

§ 51-29-43. Right of use during appeal

§ 51-29-45. Court to make order for assessments to cover cost of improvement

§ 51-29-47. Board of supervisors to make a tax levy

§ 51-29-49. Copy of levy to tax collector

§ 51-29-51. Collection of assessments

§ 51-29-53. Duties of treasurer

§ 51-29-55. Duties of tax collector

§ 51-29-57. New tax levy in case of deficiency

§ 51-29-61. Contractors to give bond

§ 51-29-63. Commissioners may borrow money

§ 51-29-65. Bonds to be registered

§ 51-29-67. Negotiable evidences of debt to contractor

§ 51-29-69. Commissioners not liable for damages

§ 51-29-71. Procedure to alter plans

§ 51-29-73. Landowners may build ditches to connect with public ditch

§ 51-29-75. Compensation for connecting with district drainage system

§ 51-29-77. Ditches outside of district

§ 51-29-79. Maintenance of system

§ 51-29-81. Taxes collected; delinquent lands; settlements

§ 51-29-83. Drainage taxes erroneously collected

§ 51-29-85. Certificates received in lieu of cash

§ 51-29-87. Disposition of certificate

§ 51-29-89. Bonds to be a lien on land

§ 51-29-91. Entire district revenues and realty pledged to secure bonds

§ 51-29-93. Error in names not to invalidate assessments

§ 51-29-95. Ditches may cross highways and railroads

§ 51-29-97. Financial statement and audit

§ 51-29-99. Penalty for obstructing or damaging drains

§ 51-29-101. Contractors may pass over private lands

§ 51-29-103. Procedure for districts to come under this chapter

§ 51-29-105. Construction of chapter

§ 51-29-107. Special commissioner may hear and determine cases under this chapter

§ 51-29-109. Expenses of chancellor to be paid by district

§ 51-29-111. Method to apportion benefits when land is divided into smaller units of ownership

§ 51-29-113. Clerk of district to certify order to tax collector

§ 51-29-115. Formation of subdrainage districts

§ 51-29-117. Manner of appeal

§ 51-29-119. Additional powers given to certain drainage districts

§ 51-29-121. Assessments to be apportioned when land lies in certain districts

§ 51-29-123. Certain districts may own rights of way and dispose of same

§ 51-29-125. Certain districts may acquire rights of way through existing districts

§ 51-29-127. Districts acquiring certain lands to assume obligations

§ 51-29-129. Law with reference to disposition of waters

§ 51-29-131. Enlargement of boundaries of drainage districts

§ 51-29-133. Notice and hearing of proposed extension

§ 51-29-135. Extension of district on majority petition

§ 51-29-137. Rights and powers of extended district

§ 51-29-139. Extension may include lands of other drainage districts

§ 51-29-141. Separate accounts kept for extended districts

§ 51-29-143. Provisions applicable to extended districts

§ 51-29-145. Consolidation of districts

§ 51-29-147. Petition and notice of consolidation

§ 51-29-149. Consolidation hearing and decree

§ 51-29-151. Commissioners of consolidated district

§ 51-29-153. Transfer of powers of former commissioners

§ 51-29-155. Lien of outstanding obligations not impaired by consolidation

§ 51-29-157. Powers and authority of consolidated district

§ 51-29-159. Mineral leases

§ 51-29-161. Reforestation procedure

§ 51-29-163. Hearing on reforestation petition

§ 51-29-165. Disposition of proceeds of reforestation release