The commissioners may at any time alter the plans of ditches and drains, but before constructing the ditches according to the changed plans, the changed plans with accompanying specifications, showing the width and depth of the ditches as changed, shall be filed with the clerk of the chancery court, or chancellor in vacation, and notice of such filing shall be given by publication for two insertions in some newspaper issued and having a bona fide circulation in each of the counties in which there are lands belonging to the district. If by reason of such change of plans any property owner deems that the assessment has become inequitable, he may petition the chancery court, or chancellor in vacation, which shall thereupon refer his petition to the board of commissioners of the district, who shall reassess his property, increasing or diminishing his assessment as they may find just. From such action of the commissioners the property owner shall have the same right of appeal to the board of supervisors that is herein provided for in cases of original assessment. However, in no case after the issuance of bonds, shall the assessment be lowered either by the board of commissioners or the chancery court, or chancellor in vacation, so as to endanger the security of said bonds. Any reduction in benefits may be allowed as damages, and the allowances for such damage shall be secondary and subordinate to the rights of holders of bonds or evidences of indebtedness issued theretofore. No change of plans as above authorized shall be made so as to lower the standard of efficiency of the proposed system of improvement, nor so as to jeopardize the rights of any holder or holders of bonds previously issued; and this question may be raised by any landholder before the chancery court, or chancellor in vacation, with rights of appeal as herein provided.
Structure Mississippi Code
Title 51 - Waters, Water Resources, Water Districts, Drainage, and Flood Control
Chapter 29 - Drainage Districts with Local Commissioners
§ 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
§ 51-29-23. 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
§ 51-29-41. 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
§ 51-29-119. 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
§ 51-29-161. Reforestation procedure
§ 51-29-163. Hearing on reforestation petition
§ 51-29-165. Disposition of proceeds of reforestation release