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Board approves 25% assessment-cap increase for five ditches, several drain crossings and contract payments
Summary
The La Porte County Drainage Board approved a one-time 25% cap increase on five small ditches, granted multiple drain-crossing permissions (including a Mokler Ditch pool variance and utility crossings), ordered a contract re-spray/spec change for bank spraying, and approved vendor claims including a $44,810 Rodman Ditch maintenance payment.
At its August 12 meeting the La Porte County Drainage Board approved a series of routine and fiscal actions: a one-time 25% increase to assessment caps for five identified ditches, multiple drain-crossing permissions, specification changes for bank-spraying work and several vendor payments.
Board staff reported they had reviewed ditches that had not previously received the 25% cap increase and identified McKellips, Moon, Rodman, Little Kankakee and Barringer (Behringer) as candidates. After discussing fund sizes and frequency of work, the board voted to raise the caps for those five ditches by 25% via motion and voice vote. Board members noted some ditches still will lack the funds needed for major projects even after the increase.
The board also approved several drain-crossing applications and variances: Wabash Valley Power's O'Hara Rice ditch crossing (pole within the 75-foot easement but not near the ditch), a homeowner variance for Chris Frank to place an in-ground pool on the Mokler Ditch easement (applicant provided paperwork and staff recommended approval), Surf Internet conduit placement near the Shores Ditch and a preliminary crossing for a sewer line across Norris Ditch with engineering conditions noted. All of those applications passed on motions and voice votes.
Regarding bank spraying, staff reported inadequate work in three of four inspected ditches; the board required the contractor to re-spray specified ditches using a different product (Garland or similar) and revised specifications for gallons per acre and full two-sided spraying. The board approved paying only the Bull ditch bill ($3,750) at this time and required the contractor to re-spray others under the revised specs.
Finance actions approved included drainage claims such as a $44,810 payment to Davie Armour (Rodman Ditch maintenance/Vero Services), payment of NIPSCO and a $785 drain study invoice. After the approved claims the engineer fund balance was reported at approximately $1,625. All claims were passed by voice vote.
