Redevelopment commission approves up to $176,000 from LDI TIF for county drain reconstruction serving Claypool, contingent on incoming surveyor

The commission heard from County Surveyor Mike Kissinger about an ongoing drainage problem on the southeast side of town that is affecting Claypool and could affect local industrial users. Kissinger said the town of Claypool and its engineers have identified infiltration issues in the sanitary system and that tapping into the county tile without upgrading the county outlet would be inadequate.

Kissinger provided an order‑of‑magnitude estimate for reconstructing the county tile: roughly 2,500 linear feet of 18‑inch tile, about 1,500 linear feet of 24‑inch tile, engineering and surveying (~$55,000), tile/materials (~$105,000) and incidentals (~$15,000) — a total in the neighborhood of $176,000 (presented as approximately $175,369.44 in the meeting ledger).

Commissioners discussed timing and responsibilities. Kissinger said engineering and surveying could take about six months and recommended that the incoming elected county surveyor review and sign off before the county engages an engineer or commits to construction. Commissioners and staff also discussed cost‑sharing options with Claypool and the potential for additional downstream work inside Claypool that the town would need to complete.

Given the urgency described by Claypool and IDEM involvement in the problem, the commission moved to approve the $176,000 estimate from the Louis Dreyfus (LDI) TIF to reconstruct the county drain, contingent on the incoming county surveyor agreeing to proceed. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Members asked Kissinger to coordinate with the incoming surveyor and return with engineer estimates and possible bidding timelines.