Supervisors discuss drainage upgrades, private tile work and winter road projects; FEMA claim estimated at about $75,000

Supervisors discussed drainage issues and county road operations, including private tile installations, contractor availability, a building project north of town and progress on gravel stockpiles.

An item opened with remarks about private tile work at a Jeff Mathis property and the growing popularity of electronic tile valves that allow landowners to control drains. Supervisors and staff observed that drainage contractors are extremely busy in the spring and that long lead times can delay smaller jobs. One commissioner said they had asked one contractor to add a petitioner to a waiting list and cautioned landowners that contractors prioritize larger jobs.

County Engineer Scott reported progress on a county building project north of town. Rogers Brothers was slated to begin excavation for footings and Premier Concrete had been on site laying out and preparing to pour footings; crews were using heater trailers and insulated forms to protect concrete work from cold weather. Scott said foam forms and rebar had been staged and stem-wall work would follow footing pours.

Scott also provided an update on the county’s gravel-crushing contract and stockpiles. He said the seasonal crushing work was “done for the year” but noted haul roads and site width limited how much could be retrieved this season; the county expects to continue some operations in spring if the haul road can be widened. Scott estimated about 72,000 tons in the combined piles, including limestone hauled in, and said the county would likely be in good shape on material supplies going into next year.

Separately, Scott said county staff were preparing a FEMA claim for June road damages and that the claim process had been time-consuming. He estimated the claim amount “somewhere in the neighborhood” of $75,000 but said final figures depend on documentation and FEMA thresholds.

Other discussion covered a private trustee drain election scheduled for Jan. 18; staff clarified public-notice ad timing (the two weeks prior) and recommended using the Buffalo Center paper when some local papers are difficult to contact. Supervisors also noted long-term climate considerations, saying drainage engineers may need to upsize systems to account for larger storm events.

No formal board action on funding or project approvals was recorded during the drainage and roads updates in the transcript excerpt provided.

The board asked staff to continue follow-up on contractor scheduling, tile repair scope and FEMA documentation needed for the pending claim.