Grant County board allows campground to connect to Elliott tile; county will continue maintenance

The Grant County Drainage Board voted to allow a private campground (identified in the meeting as Kate’s Family Farms) to connect to the Elliott tile, with the campground paying construction costs and the county retaining long-term maintenance.

The motion, made by a board member (S3) and seconded by another (S2), authorized the hookup on condition the work be installed to county specifications and accepted for continued county maintenance. During discussion, a board participant (S6) described that the existing county tile at Crane Pond under 13th Street in Buffalo is in poor condition and that the family proposing the connection would pay the installation costs.

The board asked staff to add the campground to the assessment roll so the new connection’s long-term maintenance could be funded through the drainage assessment. A speaker noted one abstention during the voice vote but the motion carried by the board.

Board members emphasized the need for clear handover language and for documentation of any work done by private parties. During the exchange, S6 said the project included adding a 12-inch riser to permit future camera inspection: “I’d like to have a hole put a camera in in 26 side dish,” and argued the connection should remain a county tile so the board would have authority to maintain it if needed.

The board directed staff to record the required specifications and to add the campground to the assessment roll, and it agreed the county would continue to maintain the tile once the installation met county requirements. The matter will appear in the next meeting’s records for follow-up on assessment and inspection details.