(A) All appeals to the court of common pleas except appeals on claims for compensation or damages shall be heard by a panel of judges consisting of one judge of the court of common pleas from each of the affected counties.

1. (1) If the panel cannot reach a decision, the panel may request the addition of a judge from a court of common pleas in the area of the state in which the joint drainage improvement is located.
2. (2) The panel shall follow court opinions and precedent established by the appellate district in which the petition for the joint drainage improvement was filed.
3. (3) If a judge is disqualified or for any reason or refuses to hear a case, the chief justice of the supreme court shall designate a judge to sit in the judge's place.