Board approves contracts, merges Crane Pond phases and raises assessment rates

The Grant County Drainage Board on Thursday approved several contracts and administrative items, and it adopted revised assessment rates for the Crane Pond project after public comment and technical discussion.

Key actions taken:

• Contract awards and bid approvals — The board approved a clearance and tree‑removal contract that includes a bid from John’s Repair Service (quoted around $48,400) to clear Crane Pond easements; Jeff Kilg agreed to pay a $5,500 chipping fee as part of the arrangement, and the motion was made contingent on the Crane Pond public hearing passing. The board also accepted McCain Brothers Excavating LLC for brush and clearing work on Little Liberty/Back Creek (combined sections quoted at approximately $22,743); that motion passed with one abstention.

• Crane Pond assessments — After public testimony and staff explanation of the benefit and funding calculations, the board combined Crane Pond phases one and two and adopted new assessment rates: $25 per acre, $100 per homesite, $25 per parcel, $250 for commercial parcels, with a $50 minimum and a four‑year collection period. Staff estimated annual revenue from the new rates at roughly $29,000 and described the program’s collection structure.

• Routine business — The board approved meeting minutes and routine claims including small vendor payments by voice vote.

Board members discussed fiscal prudence, noting that while assessment collections will increase reserve capacity for future jetting, dredging and repairs, the county must still balance general‑fund demands. Members also raised operational concerns about chipping operations leaving debris on ditch banks after clearing; contractors said they would aim to mulch and remove material where feasible.

The board recorded no detailed roll‑call tallies in several voice votes; most motions were approved by voice vote or consensus. Several funding amounts and motion contingencies will require follow‑up: staff is to ensure contractor payments are properly documented and to track the contingency that requires a successful public hearing before certain funds are expended.