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Board recommends refunding 2022 pond‑inspection assessments after finding report inadequate
Summary
After reviewing the 2022 pond inspection deliverable and hearing HOA complaints about delayed and low‑quality reporting, the Board recommended refunding roughly $33,000–$37,000 collected from pond owners and forgoing collection of unpaid assessments; the board voted in favor with one abstention.
The Village of Jackson Board of Public Works on Jan. 27 recommended that the Budget & Finance Committee and Village Board refund inspection assessments already paid by stormwater pond owners for the 2022 inspection cycle and forgo collecting unpaid assessments.
Director of Public Works Jack (Speaker 4) told the board that an agreement entered in 2021 called for inspections of all village‑owned and privately owned stormwater detention and retention ponds. Inspections took place in 2022 (and some in 2023), but staff did not receive the final report until approximately September 2025. Jack said the report was "less than adequate," about three years out of date, and lacked the expected forms and details the HOAs had anticipated.
HOA representatives (Speaker 3) described expectations that differed from the delivered product — for example, budgeting for three ponds not four — and said late invoicing and unclear deliverables imposed unexpected costs on associations. One board member said the contractor "just sucked, frankly," reflecting the blunt criticism voiced in the meeting.
Speaker 9 said the Village could pursue legal options and asked staff to consult legal services to determine whether reimbursement from the contractor was feasible; he also said staff should not immediately re‑contract with the same provider without stronger assurances. Jack recommended refunding the roughly $33,000–$37,000 the Village has received, sending letters explaining the decision to each entity, and retaining funds from owners who have not yet paid.
A motion to recommend refunds and to forgo collection passed by voice vote; one board member (Speaker 8) recorded an abstention. The motion was recorded as "Motion by Heckendorf, second by Engelhardt." The board instructed staff to pursue a new contract and to ensure the next inspection cycle (required by the DNR in 2027) will meet standards.
The board asked staff to explore legal recourse against the contractor and to provide a clearer, enforceable contract for future inspection work.
