Wichita County Water Control & Improvement District No. 7 v. Williamson

The Commissioners’ Court of Wichita County, after hearing, granted a petition for the formation of a water control and improvement district. Contestants appealed to the District Court. The proponents there declined to put on evidence to support the formation of a district. Their contention was that the action of the Commissioners’ Court was presumed to be valid and could only be attacked under the substantial evidence rule. The contestants said that the applicable statute required a trial de novo, and that the proponents were required to produce evidence. The trial court agreed with the…