Whenever a local improvement district is established within an irrigation district for the safeguarding of the public from the dangers of open canals or ditches the rate of assessment per square foot in the local district may be determined by any of the methods provided for assessment of similar improvements in cities or towns in chapter
35.44 RCW, and the lands specially benefited by such improvements shall be the same as provided in chapter
35.43 RCW for similar improvements in cities or towns.