For purposes of determining the appeal fee, "amount in controversy" shall be defined as the amount of the award rendered by the Board of Arbitration, or, in cases of no award, the amount demanded in the complaint.
Said appeal shall be filed not later than 30 days after the date of the entry of the award of the arbitrators on the docket. Repayment to the county of the compensation of the members of the board of arbitration shall not be taxed as costs or be recoverable in any proceeding. A de novo appeal shall be allowed as a matter of course upon the filing of the affidavit of appeal and recognizance, and upon the aforesaid repayment of the compensation paid to the board of arbitration.
Penn. 37 C.P.L. 1308.2