(2) After giving 10 days’ notice and an opportunity to be heard to the district governing body, the court or board shall, in accordance with the standards of guidance provided in this section for the district governing board, divide the property.
(3) The decision of the county court or board of commissioners is binding upon all parties in interest, except that an appeal may be taken therefrom for abuse of discretion in arriving at the decision to the circuit court of the county in which the property withdrawn is located within 30 days from the announcement of the decision. The functions of the district must be continued in the entire preexisting area by the district until the final determination of the division of property.
(4) This section does not prevent the governing bodies of the city and the district from arriving at a binding agreement for a joint operation of the water or other facilities of each that will be beneficial to and equitable for the inhabitants and property owners of each after the withdrawal of part of the water district. [Amended by 1965 c.509 §6; 2007 c.420 §2]