Mobile City officials outline multi-year plan to address backlog in ditch maintenance

Mobile City officials told council members at a June pre-meeting that the city faces a backlog of ditch maintenance and will propose a multi-year funding increase and an operational plan to address the problem.

Mayor (unnamed) told councilmembers the city needs a sustained program and that staff would return with a budget suggestion to address ditches for the next three years. “We need probably be spending about $5,000,000 more a year, in addition to what we’re spending in order to catch up,” the mayor said.

Shonda (staff member) said crews and equipment have been used on other priorities and that heavy rains created a backlog. She told the council the city already has a contract for ditch maintenance but expects to expand the use of outside contractors and to better organize in-house teams. “A lot of the stuff we have is old. And so when the grader goes down, that means we’re not doing anything,” Shonda said, explaining equipment shortfalls affect the schedule.

Councilmember Pence said constituents in District 4 have pressed him to raise the issue and asked staff to clarify ownership of certain ditch segments (city, state or county). Shonda said staff will compile a list of ditches scheduled for digging and will return with recommendations for funding and a prioritized maintenance plan.

Staff described a two-part approach: (1) a near-term catch-up funded by an identified transfer to be proposed to council, and (2) a longer-term cyclical maintenance program that would schedule routine mowing, brush clearing and sediment removal and rely on contracted assistance where cost-effective.

No formal funding transfer was approved at the pre-meeting; staff said they would present a specific proposal for council consideration in coming weeks. Councilmembers and staff urged clearer communication with residents about schedules and ownership so citizens know when the city will perform work in their neighborhoods.