Ohio Code § 6101.28

§ 6101.28.

During the preparation of the official plan, the board of appraisers of a conservancy

district shall examine and become acquainted with the nature of plans for the improvement

and of the lands and other property affected thereby, in order that it may be better

prepared to make appraisals. When the certified copy of the entry of the court approving the official plan is filed

with the secretary of the conservancy district, he shall at once notify the board

of appraisers, and it shall thereupon appraise the benefits of every kind to all real

property within or without the district, which will result from the organization of

said district and the execution of the official plan.  The board of appraisers shall appraise the damages sustained and the value of the

land and other property necessary to be taken by the district for which settlement

has not been made by the board of directors of the conservancy district.  In the progress of its work, the board of appraisers shall have the assistance of

the attorney, engineers, secretary, and other agents and employees of the board of

directors. The board of appraisers shall also appraise the benefits and damages accruing to municipal

corporations, counties, townships, and other public corporations, as political entities,

and to this state. Before appraisals of compensation and damages are made, the board of directors may

report to the board of appraisers the parcels of land or other property it wishes

to purchase, and for which it wishes appraisals to be made, both for easement and

for purchase in fee simple.  The board of directors may, if it deems best, specify in case of any property the

particular purpose for which and the extent to which an easement in the same is desired,

describing definitely such purpose and extent.  The board of appraisers shall appraise all damages which may, because of the execution

of the official plan, accrue to real or other property either within or without the

district, which damages shall also represent easements acquired by the district for

all of the purposes of the district, unless otherwise specifically stated.  Wherever instructed to do so by the board of directors, the board of appraisers

shall appraise lands or other property which it is necessary or desirable for the

district to own, and when instructed by the board of directors to do so, the board

of appraisers shall appraise both the total value of the land, and also the damages

due to an easement for the purposes of the district.  When such appraisals are confirmed by the court, the board of directors has the

option of paying the entire appraised value of the property and acquiring full title

to it in fee simple, or of paying only the cost of such easement for the purposes

of the district.  The board of appraisers in appraising benefits and damages shall consider only the

effect of the execution of the official plan.  In making appraisals, the board of appraisers shall give due consideration and credit

to any other works or improvements already constructed, or under construction, which

form a useful part of the work of the district according to the official plan.  Where the board of appraisers returns no appraisal of damages to any property, it

shall be deemed a finding by such board of appraisers that no damages will be sustained.