Blue Earth County approves repair hearing, contract awards and fund advance for drainage systems
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Summary
Blue Earth County’s drainage authority set repair and redetermination hearings, approved a ditch repair contract, and advanced $10.07 million from capital to ditch funds to cover deficits; the board also adjusted a joint-ditch assessment and set a March hearing for Ditch 63.
The Blue Earth County Board on Feb. 3 approved multiple actions aimed at repairing and funding the county’s public drainage systems.
Drainage staff described problems at Judicial Ditch 32 in Pleasant Mound Township, saying a previously repaired culvert is partially obstructing the public drainage system and that repair plans developed with ISG and Minnesota Department of Transportation staff are ready for review. The board authorized staff to finalize draft findings and set a repair hearing for Feb. 17, 2026.
The board also set a hearing on March 3, 2026 at 9 a.m. to consider a viewers’ report and redetermination of benefits for County Ditch 63, a watershed described by staff as roughly 1,100 acres in Decoria Township.
Mark Mannerfeld, deputy director of property and environmental resources, told the board that staff identified a needed correction to the Joint Judicial Ditch 15 assessment. He said the assessment approved in December had included sewer expenses; the board approved reducing Blue Earth County’s portion from $779,900 to $684,800 so Le Sueur County can be assessed separately.
The board awarded a repair contract for County Ditch 16 to Kruger Excavating of Albert Lea LLC for $438,941.90 after ISG’s recommendation. Commissioners voted to approve the award.
To cover deficit cash balances in ditch accounts, staff presented and the board approved a resolution advancing $10,068,219.48 from the capital fund to the ditch fund. The advance will be repaid with interest set at 6.25% this year; staff clarified the rate is set annually at the organizational meeting and follows the county’s small-cities policy.
The board approved all drainage-related motions by voice votes. Next procedural steps include the scheduled repair and viewers’ hearings and implementation of the awarded contract.