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Drainage board approves $20-per-lot assessment for Lakewood West; schedules slope-ditch work pending excavator availability
Summary
The board approved assessing the Lakewood West watershed $20 per lot (about 33 lots, as reported) and discussed planned slope-ditch and Cox 1 work contingent on renting a Longreach excavator and coordinating with local farmers and county highway resources.
The Vigo County Drainage Board on Feb. 2 approved an assessment for the Lakewood West watershed of $20 per lot and discussed planned ditch maintenance that will proceed once rented equipment becomes available.
Bruce Allen, speaking for the board’s survey/reporting function, told members that “the only ditch that is gonna be assessed this year is Lakewood West at $20 per lot” and that he believes there are 33 lots in that watershed. The board then moved and seconded a motion to approve the Lakewood West assessment; members indicated approval by voice vote.
Allen said other watersheds have reached their maximum assessment limits and “we can only charge 4 times the annual rate without expending it,” explaining why Lakewood West is the only assessed watershed this year. He described planned work on a slope ditch and possibly on Cox 1, pending equipment availability.
Allen reported contacting Caleb Tilford at Westside Tractor about a Longreach excavator; Tilford told him the machine will be in use for at least another week to a week and a half and will notify Allen when it becomes available. Once the equipment is available, Allen said he will coordinate with “Bobby” and the Shoe brothers (names as spoken) to meet on site, mark drain tiles to avoid damage, and provide an operator. The board expects to cover fuel costs and coordinate with the property owner/farmer to stack material in the field so it can be tilled in before planting.
Board members also discussed whether the county highway department might assist; the presiding speaker said some tasks might be reached with the board’s equipment while larger-reach work could require the rented excavator or coordination with highway crews.
The board did not record a roll-call vote count for the assessment in the transcript; approval was recorded by voice. The board adjourned with its next meeting set for April 6, 2026.
(Reporting based on the Vigo County Drainage Board transcript of Feb. 2, 2026.)
