Sec. 254.019. CARRYING OUT CONSTRUCTION OF DITCHES

(a) The commissioners court shall order the person in charge of the road adjoining the proposed ditch to construct the ditch in the manner prescribed, using the earth taken from the excavation to build a raised road adjoining the ditch. In the alternative, the court may hire a suitable and competent person other than the person normally in charge of the road adjacent to the proposed ditch to oversee the construction of the ditch for compensation in an amount ordered by the court.

(b) The court by order shall assign to the person in charge of constructing the ditch all county employees assigned to the road adjacent to the ditch and all county equipment and materials. The order shall provide that the person may employ additional labor or purchase additional equipment or material to construct the ditch. The order must show the amount to be paid to the director of construction for the person's services. The court shall order the money required for additional labor, equipment, or material to be paid from the money set aside from the road and bridge fund.

(c) The drainage system shall be applied first to the county's first-class roads, followed by the second-class and third-class roads.

(d) The county may construct one or more ditches at the same time, as the financial condition of the county permits.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.