(1) Two or more existing drainage districts may, upon an order issued by the drainage board, be consolidated to form a single drainage district. An order of consolidation may be issued only after a public hearing as specified in this section.
(2) The consolidation process may be initiated by a petition that is signed by the owners of at least 10 percent of the lands in each of the districts sought to be consolidated.
(3) The drainage board shall fix a time and place of a hearing on the proposed consolidation and shall cause notice of the hearing to be given under s. 88.05 (2)
(b) to the persons specified in s. 88.05 (4) (b). If after the hearing the drainage board is of the opinion that the drainage districts would be benefited by the proposed consolidation, it shall so order, giving a name to the consolidated district.
(4) Upon entry of the order of consolidation, the records of the districts so consolidated shall be the records of the consolidated district.
(5) Assessments made against lands in the several districts so consolidated shall remain in full force and the lien thereof is not affected by such consolidation.
(6) After such consolidation, the benefits of the consolidated district may be reassessed to render them just and equitable as a basis for future assessments for costs, subject to s. 88.02.