Delaware County commissioners approve Slate Lick Lateral No. 1 drainage improvements and assessments

Delaware County commissioners voted to approve the Slate Lick Lateral No. 1 watershed drainage improvement project following a final public hearing and an endorsement from the county engineer’s report.

The county’s soil and water conservation district presented the project to the Board of Commissioners, describing a plan of open-channel construction, rock-lined channels, replacement of subsurface drainage tile, surface-drain swales, clearing of brush and reseeding. Brett Bacon of the Delaware Soil and Water Conservation District told the commissioners the watershed covers about 53 acres and is roughly 43% rural residential, 29% agricultural and 27% woods.

The engineer’s estimate put construction costs at $32,850.46, with administration, planning and inspection at $3,717.11; an initial drainage-maintenance startup of $1,828.38; and a $5,000 contingency, for a total estimated construction cost of $43,395.95. The presentation gave an example average parcel assessment (excluding right-of-way) of $3,315.25, and an amortized example (including bond issuance fees and interest) that raised an illustrative average parcel assessment to $4,118.76 and a semiannual payment of $257.42 over an eight-year schedule.

Bacon said assessments are calculated under the drainage statutes by multiplying acres benefited by land-use and percent-use factors, and that landowners may pay their assessment in full within 30 days of the final hearing (deadline noted as July 16 in the presentation) or have it placed on the property tax bill as a special assessment, which could incur interest and an auditor/treasurer fee.

Resident landowner Doug Foster testified in favor of the petition, describing standing water that has expanded on his property over the past decade and telling the board, “I’m a 100% for it because I’ve lost 2 acres, and it’s just getting worse and worse.” No speakers registered opposition at the hearing.

Commissioner Benton moved to find in favor of the improvement; Commissioner Merrill seconded. Commissioner Merrill said he believed the proposal is necessary and that benefits exceed costs; Commissioner Benton and Commissioner Lewis echoed support. The board approved Resolution No. 25-459 (finding in favor) and Resolution No. 25-460 (confirming assessments, approving the payment schedule and ordering the letting of contracts) by recorded voice vote, with all three commissioners voting aye.

Bacon told the board the project, if approved, would be advertised for competitive public bid and is typically not subject to prevailing wage; bidding would be limited so bids are not accepted above the engineer’s final estimate, and any lower final cost would reduce assessments pro rata. He also noted projects completed under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 6131 are required by R.C. 6137 to be placed under a perpetual drainage maintenance program, with maintenance assessments typically in the 2.5–5% annual range.

The board took no additional directions on bonding or the repayment period at the hearing beyond confirming the schedule and ordering the letting of contracts; the resolution and the engineer’s recommendation indicated the board must later set the repayment period and decide whether to bond the project.

The board recessed for a site view following the hearing.