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Worth County supervisors rescind a ditch work order, approve several drainage repairs and vegetation treatments
Summary
Supervisors debated multiple ditch issues, discussed silt and beaver activity, rescinded a previously issued work order for a ditch cleanout and approved several other work orders and maintenance actions including a tile repair (PE 19) and herbicide spraying for DD 13.
The Worth County Board of Supervisors spent a substantial portion of its meeting on drainage and ditch maintenance issues, ultimately rescinding one previously issued work order and approving several other drainage-related actions.
After field reports from staff and landowners, board members discussed a request to clean a flat, silted section of ditch near properties owned by Gene Severson and others. Staff described the area as part of an old lake-bed marsh with little grade, which traps sediment; they also noted active beaver activity and grass growth in creeks after recent dry periods. Board members and staff agreed that simply cleaning the short section would be ineffective unless downstream obstructions and culverts—identified as the culvert under Mallard—were addressed first.
Following the technical discussion the board rescinded a previously issued work order on a ditch cleanout (DD1), with a motion to rescind carried by voice vote. The board voted to hold off on major excavation immediately and to monitor conditions through midsummer; supervisors said grass and sediment may wash away once flows increase, and the board will revisit the need for action in the fall if necessary.
Other actions approved during the drainage discussion included: - Approval of drainage claims and motion approval for DD11 to address a plugged crossing on Windmill Road; staff said the contractor Mike Peterson would address the plug and that the landowner had been notified. - Approval of beaver-related claims (beaver removal/trapping) after staff noted trapping activity during the trapping season. - Approval of a work order for tile repair identified as PE 19; supervisors said the homeowner had already arranged repairs and the motion approved the corresponding work order. - Addition of DD13 (main spring) herbicide spraying to the schedule to address brush and small trees that regrew after prior reshaping; board members noted spraying is more effective in summer and asked staff to consult with local applicators, including contacting Frank Salvatore about what products were used previously.
During the ditch discussion staff recommended better post-construction documentation for future projects, including a simple profile or as-built checks so future complaints can be evaluated against a documented baseline. Staff also noted that landowners could petition for larger improvements, which would allow for remonstrance rights by neighboring property owners if an improvement petition moved forward.
The board approved routine pending claims and payroll claims later in the meeting and heard a brief buildings-and-grounds report about a cracked manhole or old cistern cover near a county building; staff said they would investigate and repair or fill it as appropriate.
What’s next: The board directed staff to monitor the ditches through July and August and return with recommendations if conditions do not improve; the rescinded DD1 work order will not be executed unless a renewed petition or clear need is presented.
