Council OKs expedited $148,000 materials payment for large drain reconstruction

Council members granted a request to advance payment for materials on a major drainage reconstruction project to take advantage of an unusually dry installation window.

Dan Sheets (S9) briefed the council on the Dithemerby drain reconstruction involving about two miles of 36‑ and 30‑inch pipe. Bids came in near $280,000; Sheets asked permission to move roughly $148,000 from the general drain improvement fund into a line item to pay materials so the contractor can proceed during the current drought, improving installation quality.

"When you can install a drainage system into the ground that you don't have any groundwater to deal with, you get a much better product," Sheets said. The chair explained the council has previously allowed interim payments at a public meeting with records to be followed by formal appropriation advertising at the next meeting. A motion to approve the expedited payment passed with a recorded tally of 5–0.

Council members directed the project manager to coordinate with the auditor to catch up on the advertised appropriation at the next meeting.