If the township board or boards create a district under section 19b, it or they shall determine the boundaries of the district by resolution and shall direct the township supervisor or supervisors to make a special assessment upon the lands and premises in the district benefited by the lighting to defray the expenses of lighting the roads, highways, or bridges or to defray that portion of the expenses to be assessed against the district. The board or boards shall thereafter annually determine the amount to be assessed in the district for lighting the roads, highways, and bridges and shall direct the supervisor or assessor to levy this amount or the supervisors or assessors to levy the portion of this amount attributable to the territory of the district within their respective townships. The assessment may be made either in a special assessment roll or in a column provided in the regular tax roll. The assessment shall be spread and become due and be collected at the same time as the other township taxes are assessed, levied, and collected and shall be returned in the same manner for nonpayment.