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Warrick County staff brief board on failing outfall, contractor selection and proposed stormwater fee increase
Summary
Board members reviewed an aerial photo showing a failed outfall structure below a slurry pond, were told JBI was the low bidder for a $94,200 drainage-improvement contract and discussed whether to provide additional public notice for a proposed stormwater fee increase from $4.50 to $8.50.
Warrick County staff told the Drainage Board on Sept. 22, 2025, that a teardrop-shaped lake and its outfall downstream of a large slurry pond have deteriorated and no longer function as a detention outfall. Separately, staff confirmed that contractor JBI was the low bidder for a water drainage improvement project at $94,200 and that a pre-construction meeting is scheduled for the following morning.
A staff member displayed an aerial photo and pointed out what he described as a failed outfall structure at the south‑east corner of the teardrop-shaped lake. “If you look at this photo, you'll see kind of a teardrop shaped lake, below the big slurry pond that we're concerned about. And that lake, the outfall structure, the teardrop lake has fallen apart, and it is strained now. It no longer functions as a detention for the big pond,” the staff member said, and added that the smaller basin is now dry.
On the capital project, a county staff speaker said JBI was selected as the low bidder at $94,200 and that staff confirmed the contractor can perform the work for that amount; a pre-construction meeting was set for 10:30 a.m. on-site and work was expected to begin the week of Sept. 13, according to the presentation. The staff member said Mori had reviewed the bid and that he had given approval to proceed; no formal board vote on the contractor selection was recorded in the drainage-board transcript.
Board members also discussed a proposed increase in the county's stormwater fee. The staff presentation included a handout from Crystal Powless and summarized a county attorney opinion, reporting that the attorney (Rick Gotterman) had said the county council had not taken an action previously and the presenter did not see a statutory requirement for an additional step. Staff advised the board that the original ordinance establishing the fee dates to 2006 and that the proposed change would raise the fee from $4.50 to $8.50—an amount that was not included in prior public notices.
The county attorney present suggested that, because the new fee amount was not included in earlier public notice, providing additional public notice would be preferable. Board members generally agreed that more notice would be appropriate and asked staff to confirm the legal requirements with county counsel and to provide additional public notice if advised.
No formal vote on the proposed stormwater fee increase was recorded at the drainage-board meeting; staff indicated the matter will be discussed further with county council and that the board will receive updated information in the future.
