Worth County drainage board accepts repair report, discusses crop‑damage calculations and pending DD 18 permits

At a meeting of the Worth County Drainage District, district staff presented a final repair report, explained how crop‑damage and compaction losses were calculated, and announced that the board would accept the report by voice vote.

The staff presentation said the district used the Iowa State Ag Decision Maker website to calculate damages for corn and soybeans, applying seven‑year average yields and 2020 calendar‑year prices to derive per‑acre loss estimates; the presentation also listed a compaction‑damage allowance of $697 per acre. A change to one parcel — about 0.7 acre of corn included among mostly soybeans for David and Anne Stevens — increased that landowner’s payment by about $200, staff said. After discussion, a motion to accept the report carried on a voice vote.

The report included work‑quality and warranty details for recent tile repairs. "There's a 1 year warranty on the work," a district staff member said, noting contractors will return to reconnect missed or disturbed tile connections within that period and that the district has photographic records of every tile connection. Staff also said some pipe remains staged near the work area and the contractor will move it when available.

On payment procedure, staff said compensation for crop and compaction damages will be made to landowners as listed in district records. Several callers and board participants questioned whether payments should instead go directly to tenants when tenancy or crop share arrangements exist. Staff said the district's longstanding practice is to issue payments to landowners, in part because tenant information is not always known; speakers urged that landlords pass payments to affected tenants where appropriate.

Board members discussed the open‑ditch project known as DD 18. Staff said DD 18 requires permits from the state Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; natural‑gas utility crossings also must be investigated and located, and the district plans to pothole at utility crossings once weather permits. Staff said there are eight utility crossings on the DD 18 route. The district will delay filing for certain permits until needed, citing constraints on permit validity periods and coordination with railroad and utility owners.

During general business, a caller identified as Frank Salvatore said he is a local contractor interested in bidding on county spraying and ditch work; staff directed him to contact Val (a district staff member) for information on the year's work areas and procurement process.

The board recorded a motion to accept the report, which was seconded and carried by voice vote; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.

The meeting closed after brief additional administrative remarks and scheduling discussion.