Whenever it appears in any proceeding for the construction, reconstruction or maintenance of a regulated drain that a member of the Board has an interest in the proceedings because of his or her ownership of real property affected by the drain, that member shall immediately disqualify himself or herself from serving on the Board in those proceedings. However, the fact that County highways will be affected by any proceedings does not disqualify a regular member of the Board (IC 36-9-27-12). [Code 1988 § 37.01(E).]