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Board asks surveyor to study Back Creek funding after lengthy dredging discussion
Summary
After debate over whether to raise rates or split tributaries, the board directed the surveyor's office to examine options to raise Back Creek assessments and report back; members discussed a costly dredging estimate and collection-term options.
The Grant County Drainage Board spent substantial time Jan. 27 discussing funding options for Back Creek and a small tributary (referred to in the meeting as the 'little newbie'), including whether to raise rates, extend collections to eight years, or separate tributaries from the main fund.
Members raised an estimated cost for dredging and brushing a small tributary that, in discussion, was presented as a substantial expenditure relative to current fund balances. Several members argued raising rates or changing collection terms would be the quickest way to gather necessary funds; others warned of the political and administrative difficulty of reallocating or separating tributaries from existing funds. One participant summarized options as "leave it alone and just raise the rate" versus splitting the tributary for a separate assessment.
The board voted to ask the surveyor's office to examine possible rate increases for Back Creek and to return with estimates and collection scenarios (including eight-year collection models). The motion carried. Staff flagged timing questions for larger projects later in the year and agreed to provide impact estimates for proposed rate changes.
