(a) Either party to a removal action may appeal the final judgment to the court of appeals in the manner provided for other civil cases. If the officer has not been suspended from office, the officer is not required to post an appeal bond but may be required to post a bond for costs.
(b) An appeal of a removal action takes precedence over the ordinary business of the court of appeals and shall be decided with all convenient dispatch. If the trial court judgment is not set aside or suspended, the court of appeals shall issue its mandate in the case within five days after the date the court renders its judgment.