Cal. Wat. Code § 46156
In lieu of the appointment of the three commissioners as provided in Section 46150, the board by resolution may appoint a civil engineer to apportion the costs of the project or to reassess the costs thereof as provided by this chapter; provided, however, that if a protest is filed with the board within 10 days of the adoption of the resolution by the owners of 10 percent or more of the assessed value of the land in any division of the district, or by the owners of 2 percent or more of the assessed value of all of the land in the district, the resolution shall not be effective and the three commissioners shall be appointed as provided by Section 46150. The civil engineer may be an employee of the district. In the event of an appointment, the term "commissioners" as used in this chapter shall refer to that engineer. In all other respects the proceedings of this chapter shall remain the same.
Ca. Water Code § 46156