Kan. Stat. § 24-802
Whenever a petition is presented to the board of county commissioners of the county in which a levee is proposed to be constructed, signed by the owners of a majority of the acreage on which such levee or any portion of it is proposed to be constructed, or which will be benefited by the construction of such levee, specifying substantially the place of beginning, the general course and termination of such levee, accompanied by a bond, with surety approved by the clerk of such board, payable to the state of Kansas, conditioned that the petitioners will pay all costs and expenses accruing in the proceedings in case said levee be not finally located and allowed, the board of county commissioners shall with such assistance as may be required of the county engineer, determine whether or not to institute proceedings and exercise the power of eminent domain in accordance with K.S.A. 26-501 to 26-516, inclusive, and amendments thereto.
K.S.A. 24-802