Committee approves $67,567 from flood-sales tax for Drain 42 slide repair and rock chute

Nathan Olson of Moore Engineering presented the North Cass Water Resource District’s plan to stabilize Drain 42 where it crosses County Highway 31, telling the Cass County Flood Sales Tax Committee on April 20 that the project would protect the highway from head-cutting and erosion and is estimated at roughly $193,000 in total.

Olson said the State Water Commission has provided slightly over $80,000 toward construction and that the district was requesting a county contribution “not to exceed sixty-seven thousand five hundred sixty-seven dollars,” representing a 90% local cost-share for the county portion as presented. He told the committee one landowner still needs to convey about one acre of right-of-way and that the project anticipates solicitation of bids once that title work and county staff signoff are complete.

The committee moved and seconded the suggested motion to approve the North Cass Water Resource District’s request for the county contribution and approved it by voice vote; the transcript records the motion passing but does not record individual member votes.

Project details and schedule: Olson described the work as installing a rock chute structure, flattening side slopes, and stabilizing the channel bottom and side slopes to protect the highway and reduce erosion; he said the team expects to solicit bids after permits and right-of-way are finalized and hopes for construction in the early summer. Olson said the estimate includes construction and related work and that the district previously contributed pre-construction funds of just over $15,000.

Next steps: County staff will finalize permits and approvals and the district will solicit bids. The committee moved on to other business after approving the funding request.