(a) Whenever any railroad over which a crossing is required is obstructed or is not in good order at such crossing, a county commissioner or an agent of the Public Service Commission where the crossing is located shall notify the nearest agent or employee of the company in writing to remove the obstruction or to put the crossing in proper order within 15 days from the date of such notice.

(b) If the agent or employee of the company does not remove the obstruction or put the crossing in proper order as required by subsection (a) of this Code section, the obstruction shall be removed or the necessary repairs made by the agent of the Public Service Commission. Within five days after the agent has discharged such duty, he shall report under oath, in writing, to the board of county commissioners the extent and value of the services performed. The board of county commissioners shall then issue execution, under their hands and seals, directed to any lawful officer, for the amount of such value and the costs of the proceeding against such defaulting railroad company. The amount, when collected, shall be paid to the persons who performed the labor, pro rata, and according to the labor performed by each and shall be used for other expenses of the work, if any.

(c) The defendants may defend against such fi. fas. as provided by law.