Meeker County approves reclassification for ditch inspector; public works outlines backlog, equipment and funding

Meeker County commissioners voted July 15 to reclassify the vacant ditch inspector position from its previous classification to an HC 41 grade, a change the county says is funded by benefiting properties on ditch systems rather than by the general levy.

Public Works Director Phil Smalls told the board the comp-and-class committee approved the reclassification on June 10. He said the county needs either a staff inspector or contracted inspector to meet a statutory inspection cycle for county ditches that requires inspections every five years and to reduce the department’s backlog of maintenance and permitting work.

Smalls said the ditch inspector job description emphasizes an understanding of drainage and environmental resources; the county prefers candidates with a two‑year certificate in environmental resources or relevant experience. He said the position is vacant now and that the higher classification aims to improve recruitment. The county previously had limited applicant interest and has explored contracting with neighboring counties and private contractors.

During the presentation Smalls reviewed the county’s highway and ditch operations: state‑aid roads (identified as the county’s highest-maintenance class after trunk highways), 775 miles of township roads (of which Meeker County maintains about 680 under maintenance agreements), and a county ditch system of roughly 170 miles of open ditches and about 55 miles of tile. He described core maintenance tasks — snow and ice control, gravel blading, pavement maintenance, ditch mowing and construction — and summarized significant 2024 projects paid largely with state aid and township bridge funds, including micro‑milling and several reconstruction and bridge projects.

Board action: A commissioner moved to approve reclassification of the ditch inspector position to HC 41; a second was made and the motion carried.

Smalls told the board that ditch redetermination of benefits (a formal process to reallocate who pays for ditch repairs) can be costly: he recalled a recent medium system redetermination costing about $50,000. He said the county sometimes solicits contractor quotes for clean‑out work, typically soliciting multiple contractors for competitive quotes unless a job is small and requires a direct select.

Smalls also described equipment and staffing: the department operates a fleet including plow trucks, motor graders and nine tractor mowers, and maintains nine shops around the county. He said the department uses GPS/AVL tracking on plow trucks to verify coverage and reduce public complaints. He described efforts to recruit part‑time plow drivers and to cross‑train staff (CDL training) to maintain service levels.

Smalls emphasized liability exposure for failing to inspect ditches and noted that failing inspections or permitting could leave the county financially exposed in the event of property damage. Commissioners asked about contracting options, neighboring-county arrangements and drone inspection potential; Smalls said drone inspection has been discussed but not implemented.

The board approved the reclassification and the motion carried. Staffing and procurement steps to fill the position or contract to cover work are to follow.