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County approves culvert replacement at Rydell Refuge; board asks federal landowner to pay special-assessment costs
Summary
Polk County approved a petition to replace a culvert at the Rydell Refuge farm approach in Judicial Ditch 73 and directed that US Fish and Wildlife or the project proponents pay the $6,900 invoice rather than county regular ditch benefits.
Polk County commissioners approved a petition to replace a culvert on a farm approach in Judicial Ditch 73 requested by the Rydell Refuge. The board approved the replacement on condition that the refuge (the petitioner) cover the cost, as federal wildlife lands are typically not charged ditch special assessments.
County staff explained that under Polk County policy, field approaches that were part of the original ditch plan are eligible for county-paid replacement, but that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service traditionally does not pay special assessments. The staff recommended the county approve replacement of the culvert but require the petitioner to pay the invoice for the pipe (about $6,900) and any installation costs. The board moved, seconded and carried the motion requiring the petitioner to pay; the transcript shows a voice vote of “aye.”
The presenter said the refuge had ordered pipe from a vendor and sent the invoice to the county; staff had contacted refuge personnel and advised them that because federal entities typically do not pay special assessments a county-borne payment was unlikely. Board members discussed the general policy that federal and state parcels do not pay special assessments and that payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILT) is not a substitute for ditch benefits.
The board’s action approved the culvert replacement with the petitioner responsible for payment; staff said it would revisit the decision if the refuge raised a formal objection.
