Howard County sets John Galbraith watershed assessment at $13,000 annually, $100 minimum

Howard County surveyor Greg told the Howard County Drainage Board on Nov. 3 that the county faces a roughly $16,001.64 deficit tied to the John Galbraith regulated drain and proposed options to address ongoing flooding and maintenance needs.

Greg said the board had three choices: pursue a three‑year, higher assessment to collect $50,000 per year and hire an engineering firm to design reconstruction options; adopt a permanent lower annual assessment to cover debt and routine work; or continue piecemeal maintenance. He told the board the three‑year option would "cover the debt of the watershed and bring in enough revenue to hire an engineering firm to come up with some solutions" and that after three years the assessment could drop to a $100 minimum with a $13,000 total annual assessment if owners did not favor reconstruction.

During public comment, multiple residents described different local experiences and causes they believe drove flooding. Resident Shelly Layman said a collapsed inlet under Dixon Road had been replaced with a larger pipe and argued the change increased the speed and…