Winnebago County board debates high-cost tile vs. lower-cost repair for DD 5

Members of the Winnebago County Board spent substantial time on a petition for DD 5, reviewing competing repair estimates and options raised by staff and landowners. One estimate to replace or improve the end pipe was cited at roughly $99,000, while a dual-wall, double-gasket plastic tile option was estimated at about $56,000. The board discussed whether the higher initial cost is justified by longer life and reduced risk of root intrusion and future excavation.

During the meeting the board placed a speaker phone call to a contractor identified on the record as Matt. Matt told the board: "It's not it's not cement. Both of them are plastic. One's just like a, oh, like the more expensive one is like a harder tile. It's more like a sewer pipe ... the double gasket ... is mostly for the trees ... the gasket's way harder for the roots to grow back through." He recommended the more durable, double-gasket product given the depth of the tile and the risk that a future dig would multiply total costs.

Board members probed ownership and maintenance questions: staff said the land through which much of the tile runs appears to be owned by Lauren Jordan and that trees in the grove had been recently removed. Several members said they did not favor charging landowners more if no one intends to farm or maintain the trees; others argued landowners should choose between the two options. The board agreed to call contractors back for further technical details and to hold an informational meeting for affected landowners on January 13 to collect feedback before making a final decision.

No final procurement decision was made during the meeting; the board tabled action pending additional contractor information and landowner input.