For the payment of all or any part of the costs of improvements and the costs referenced in Sections 11-99A-2(6)(v) and (w) and 11-99A-15(c), a district may petition the appointing government for the assessment of all or any part of that land within the district which is specifically benefited or increased in value by such improvements in accordance with the following procedure:

1. (1) The board shall prepare plans for the acquisition, construction, or installation of the improvements. The plans shall include:

   1. a. A reasonable description of the nature and location of the improvements.
   2. b. An estimate of the costs of the improvements, which may include the costs referenced in Section 11-99A-2(6)(v) and (w) and Section 11-99A-15(c).
   3. c. A description or designation of the land upon which the assessment shall be levied, which may be made in a manner provided in Section 11-99A-4(a)(2).
   4. d. The manner in which, or the methodology by which, the assessments shall be made.
2. (2) The proposed assessment of each tract in the district, based on the estimated increase in value of each tract resulting from the special benefits derived from the proposed improvements, and consistent with Section 223 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.
3. (3) The petition shall further include either a document executed by each owner of land within the district that will be subject to the assessment setting forth the written consent thereof to such assessment and approving the petition, or a certification that an election has been held within the district, and that the owners of 51 percent or more of the land within the district that will be subject to such assessment have voted in favor of the assessment.

4. (4) Except as provided in Section 11-99A-47, the district must comply with all state, county, and municipal laws, rules, and regulations and the district must obtain all approvals that may be required by the appointing government or the government within which the district is located.

   Upon receipt of the petition by the council, the council shall determine what approvals may be required by the appointing government in addition to the approval of the council, including, but not limited to, approval of zoning, subdivision, fire regulations, and other ordinances, rules, codes, and regulations of the appointing government, and if other approvals are required, the appointing government shall forward the petition, or applicable portions thereof, to the appropriate boards and agencies to consider whether to grant the petition and to notify the district of the necessity of obtaining approvals. The petition shall be held by the appointing government in abeyance until all approvals as may be required have been received, or variances or exceptions granted.

   Failure to notify the district of any required approval shall not relieve the district from complying with the required approval. No cause of action may be maintained against the appointing government, its officers, employees, servants, or agents for failure to notify the district of any required approval.

5. (5) In the event that the board determines that it is necessary to amend its petition to the appointing government in order to conform to its rules, regulations, and ordinances, or to obtain variances and exceptions as may be appropriate, or to obtain approval of the petition by the council, the board may do so.

(Act 99-446, p. 1013, §1; Act 2013-373, p. 1364, §1.)