Pulaski County drainage board adopts 75‑foot ditch setback, clarifies private maintenance limits

The Pulaski County Drainage Board voted to adopt a 75‑foot setback for ditches and clarified how that setback will be measured and applied to privately maintained ditches.

Unidentified Speaker 1 proposed keeping a 75‑foot setback after discussing a contractor recommendation; "I'll make a motion to keep it at 75 feet," the speaker said. Board members then debated how county and private maintenance responsibilities intersect, with Unidentified Speaker 3 asking for clarification about county‑maintained versus owner‑maintained ditches and how the standard applies when private property impacts downstream neighbors. Unidentified Speaker 2 cautioned that closing or altering an admitted (private) ditch that affects another property could create "potential lawsuit" exposure.

The board agreed that the 75‑foot setback should be defined from the metal fence/top of bank. The motion to adopt the 75‑foot setback was made, seconded, and approved by voice vote; the transcript records unanimous "aye" responses but does not include a roll‑call tally of named votes.

Why it matters: the setback defines a measurable zone near ditches that can affect property use, maintenance responsibilities and potential restrictions on activity near drainage features. Board members emphasized limits to county authority over private ditches unless a private feature negatively affects another property owner.