Committee approves $343,000 at-large drain appropriation for Emmons Lake and Cascadia drains

The Kent County Board of Commissioners Finance Committee approved a request to transfer and appropriate $343,000 from the general fund transfers out budget to the FY2025 general fund drains county at-large budget to cover expected county assessments for two drainage districts.

County staff said annual assessments within county drainage districts are based on parcel size and impervious area and that projects and petitions are often difficult to predict in advance. The FY2025 general fund budget had included $91,420 for county share of at-large drain assessments, but staff estimated actual at-large assessments for FY2025 would total approximately $434,000, requiring an additional appropriation of up to $343,000. The additional at-large amounts cited were $214,000 for the Emmons Lake Drainage District and $129,000 for the Cascadia Drain.

Commissioner Steck questioned the size of the supplemental request, observing the estimate appeared far larger than the budgeted amount. A county staff member covering for the Drain Commission explained that the drain commissioner's budget is submitted in advance and predictions can be off because petitions and project timing change; staff said they would attempt to provide more leeway in the next year's budget.

The motion to transfer and appropriate the $343,000 was moved by Commissioner Steck, supported by Commissioner Halstead, and approved by the committee by voice vote.

Details: annual assessments are specially levied on properties within drainage districts and the county pays an at-large share when county roads are included in a district. The appropriation is intended to ensure the county can pay FY2025 at-large drain assessments as they are billed.