DeKalb County Drain Board approves minutes, attorney fees, subdivision and utility permit; sets Aug. 20 hearing to vacate Seward drain
June 05, 2026 | DeKalb County, Indiana
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The DeKalb County Drain Board opened its June 2026 meeting and approved the May 7, 2026 meeting minutes following a motion by Speaker 2 and a second by the Chair (Speaker 1). The board then approved June attorney fees of $1,295.
The board approved a minor subdivision referenced in the record as Van Kern (also spoken as Van Curen) Estates (parcel 14-06-27-200-021) after the surveyor's office provided a favorable recommendation; the applicant described plans for a barn and a four-acre pond. Following a presentation by an AES contractor, the board approved a utility permit for directional drilling under six regulated drains, with the surveyor’s office advising coordination with field personnel for potholing and inspections.
In consent-business items, the board accepted a signed consent and waiver to vacate the George Mason lateral (drain number 73-43-0) after the surveyor’s office confirmed all affected landowners had signed the waiver; the administrative assistant was instructed to publish the vacancy notice. Later in the meeting the board voted to set a hearing for Aug. 20 to consider vacating the Seward county drain and all three of its laterals and to consider combining certain laterals and a rate increase tied to that combination.
The board also approved an outlet request allowing landowner Kevin Yoder to outlet into the Solomon Shank as presented; surveyor staff said the work would be privately funded and that the board would document findings in the hearing minutes where appropriate.
Why it matters: These routine approvals and the Aug. 20 hearing move forward several property-level changes — including drain vacations and a rate increase — that can alter which lands are assessed for maintenance and who bears responsibility for downstream infrastructure.
Votes at a glance: minutes approved (motion carried; one abstention noted), attorney fees approved ($1,295; carried), Van Kern/V an Curen Estates subdivision approved (carried), AES utility permit approved (carried), consent and waiver to vacate George Mason lateral accepted (carried), hearing set Aug. 20 to consider vacating Seward drain and laterals (carried), Kevin Yoder outlet approved (carried).
Next steps: The Aug. 20 hearing will include formal notice and a surveyor’s report with findings; members and affected landowners were advised to review assessment schedules and related notices ahead of that hearing.
The board approved a minor subdivision referenced in the record as Van Kern (also spoken as Van Curen) Estates (parcel 14-06-27-200-021) after the surveyor's office provided a favorable recommendation; the applicant described plans for a barn and a four-acre pond. Following a presentation by an AES contractor, the board approved a utility permit for directional drilling under six regulated drains, with the surveyor’s office advising coordination with field personnel for potholing and inspections.
In consent-business items, the board accepted a signed consent and waiver to vacate the George Mason lateral (drain number 73-43-0) after the surveyor’s office confirmed all affected landowners had signed the waiver; the administrative assistant was instructed to publish the vacancy notice. Later in the meeting the board voted to set a hearing for Aug. 20 to consider vacating the Seward county drain and all three of its laterals and to consider combining certain laterals and a rate increase tied to that combination.
The board also approved an outlet request allowing landowner Kevin Yoder to outlet into the Solomon Shank as presented; surveyor staff said the work would be privately funded and that the board would document findings in the hearing minutes where appropriate.
Why it matters: These routine approvals and the Aug. 20 hearing move forward several property-level changes — including drain vacations and a rate increase — that can alter which lands are assessed for maintenance and who bears responsibility for downstream infrastructure.
Votes at a glance: minutes approved (motion carried; one abstention noted), attorney fees approved ($1,295; carried), Van Kern/V an Curen Estates subdivision approved (carried), AES utility permit approved (carried), consent and waiver to vacate George Mason lateral accepted (carried), hearing set Aug. 20 to consider vacating Seward drain and laterals (carried), Kevin Yoder outlet approved (carried).
Next steps: The Aug. 20 hearing will include formal notice and a surveyor’s report with findings; members and affected landowners were advised to review assessment schedules and related notices ahead of that hearing.
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