ANNEXATION OF TERRITORY

(a) The board may annex territory if a petition requesting annexation is signed by a majority of the registered voters of the territory who own taxable property in the territory and is filed with the board. The petition must describe the territory to be annexed by metes and bounds, or otherwise, except that if the territory is the same as that contained in the boundaries of a municipality, the petition is sufficient if it states that the territory to be annexed is the territory contained in the municipal boundaries. (b) If the board determines that the petition complies with Subsection (a), the board shall: (1) adopt a resolution stating the conditions, if any, under which the territory may be annexed to the district; and (2) set a time and place to hold a hearing on the question of whether the territory to be annexed will benefit from the improvements, works, or facilities owned or operated or contemplated to be owned or operated by the district. (c) At least 10 days before the date of the hearing, notice of the adoption of the resolution stating the time and place of the hearing and addressed to the citizens and owners of property in the territory to be annexed shall be published one time in a newspaper designated by the board that is of general circulation in the territory to be annexed. The notice must describe the territory in the same manner in which Subsection (a) requires the petition to describe the territory. (d) Any interested person may appear at the hearing and offer evidence for or against the annexation. (e) The hearing may proceed in the order and under the rules prescribed by the board and may be recessed from time to time. (f) If, at the conclusion of the hearing, the board finds that the land in the territory will benefit from the present or contemplated improvements, works, or facilities of the district, the board may adopt a resolution annexing the territory to the district.