Board awards multiple mowing, spraying and tree‑removal contracts; grants a few private easements

The LaPorte County Drainage Board on Feb. 10 opened sealed bids and approved multiple contract awards for routine ditch maintenance and tree removal across county ditches. The board approved motions, by voice vote, to accept low bidders on a series of items including: Galena Meadows mowing (Davey, $1,500), bank spraying and mowing packages on O'Hara/O'Hare ditches (various bidders), Behringer bank spraying (Davey), Moon Ditch tree removal (Allsup, allocated $10,000 conditional on access), McKellips mowing (Davey), and Basin #3 mowing at Recipio Sunrise (Davey, $1,800).

Board members confirmed account balances and prioritized some work for later scheduling if funds or concurrent projects required sequencing. The board also granted a private request: George Ladon was authorized to solicit and pay for bids to clean a three‑quarter‑mile section of ditch using the board's 75‑foot easement, provided the work meets the drainage board's specifications. In another added item, Brent Weinkauf received board permission to enter the Slocum Ditch right‑of‑way to remove beaver dams and fallen trees at his expense; the board urged neighbors to coordinate access.

Most procurement items were approved unanimously by voice vote with no roll‑call tallies recorded in the public transcript. The board instructed staff to document award letters and coordinate scheduling with the successful bidders.