Whenever a petition signed by the owners of record title representing more than 60% of the front footage of the property directly abutting upon the street, streets, alley, alleys, public way or the public grounds proposed to be improved, shall be presented and filed with the Municipal Clerk-Treasurer, petitioning therefor, the governing body shall by ordinance create a paving, graveling or other improvement district or districts, and shall cause such work to be done or such improvement to be made, and shall contract therefor, and shall levy assessments on the lots and parcels of land abutting on or adjacent to such street, streets, alley or alleys, especially benefited thereby in such district in proportion to such benefits, to pay the cost of such improvement. The governing body shall have the discretion to deny the formation of the proposed district when the area has not previously been improved with a water system, sewer system and grading of streets. If the governing body should deny a requested improvement district formation, it shall state the grounds for such denial in a written letter to interested parties.
(Neb. RS 17-510) (Prior Code, § 8-313)