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Diversion authority begins Strategic Asset Management planning for operations and maintenance
Summary
Staff briefed the Division Authority Planning Committee on a new Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP) to guide operations and maintenance (O&M) transitions as diversion components are turned over, noting choices between contracting and in‑house staffing and upcoming transfers of inlet and wild rice control structures.
Jason Benson, executive director, told the Division Authority Planning Committee the authority has started a Strategic Asset Management Plan, or SAMP, to inventory and plan maintenance of people, facilities, equipment, training and manuals as diversion components move from construction to operations.
The SAMP will inform decisions about what maintenance will be contracted out versus performed in-house, when to purchase equipment, and the staffing needed as control structures and embankment components are transferred. Benson said initial transitions are already occurring: the Southern Embankment component has been completed and turned over, and the committee should expect additional transfers this summer and fall, including the inlet control structure and the wild rice control structure.
Committee members asked when external partners and local engineers would be included in the SAMP discussions. Commissioner Campbell urged bringing county engineers and watershed or county partners into the conversation, noting Minnesota entities may have a share of future O&M costs. Benson said discussions already include city engineering staff and that county engineers from both Clay and Cass counties will be involved as the team validates asset ownership and O&M assumptions.
The committee discussed possible financing approaches for long‑term O&M. Benson said options under consideration include adding fees to municipal utility bills, forming a watershed district to collect O&M funds, or other local assessments, and that the authority will coordinate with cities and counties to avoid double taxation of residents. Mayor Carlson described Morehead’s approach of adding a wastewater fee to utility bills to pay for local flood mitigation match contributions and said similar approaches may continue for O&M funding.
Benson said the team expects to refine timelines and budget impacts over the next 30 to 60 days as transition dates for major components become clearer.
Ending paragraphs: Committee members emphasized early coordination with local governments, watershed entities and county engineers to define responsibilities and financing. The authority will return with more detailed timelines and cost estimates as the SAMP work advances.
