Commissioners pledge $178,000; board debates maintenance vs. reconstruction

During the hearing a board member reported that the county commissioners on Aug. 17 approved $178,000 from a county fund to be used either for maintenance or for reconstruction of the drain, at the discretion of the drainage board. The board discussed using the money to replace tile at the road and treat the issue as a maintenance project or to apply it toward reconstruction to reduce per-acre assessments.

One member noted the commissioners' contribution could reduce the per-acre assessment from roughly $1,300 to about $1,000. Other members argued attempts at maintenance have failed and that spending approximately $200,000 on another large maintenance effort could be wasted if it does not resolve the problem. The board weighed statutory obligations and fairness toward neighbors before moving to adopt findings and accept the petition for reconstruction.

"The commissioners, have decided to give $178,000 out of the lighted fund," the board member said on the record. That allocation was described as already approved and available to be applied by the board.