White Fence Farm irrigation takeover ruled infeasible under Monroe City rules

Monroe — Mackay and Marty Morgan asked the Monroe City Council whether the city could assume operation of the White Fence Farm subdivision irrigation system. The owners said they are willing to turn water into the system and asked the city to consider taking over service to subdivision residents.

Mayor Johnny Parsons and council members explained that the subdivision lies outside the city’s irrigation buildout boundary. Under Monroe City policy, a formal engineering study is required, each irrigated acre must be matched by one acre share of water turned into the system, and an irrigation impact fee of $2,465 per hookup would apply. Parsons noted that water turned into the system from South Bend or the Monroe Canal would likely need to be pumped, which could add significant cost under current power rates.

Councilmember Perry Payne and Mayor Parsons said the city saw no immediate benefit in accepting the extra water shares because pumping was required to use them. After that explanation the Morgans indicated the proposal appeared infeasible and did not pursue it further.

What was said "It appears to us that our proposal is not feasible," said Mackay Morgan after the council reviewed the irrigation policy and pumping costs. Mayor Parsons explained the city’s engineering-study and impact-fee requirements.

Why it matters Assuming control of an irrigation system can change operating costs for the city and affect existing customers. The council’s decision—or, more accurately, the explanation of policy constraints—meant the owners chose not to continue pursuing a transfer, leaving irrigation responsibility with the existing private system.

Next steps No formal action was taken; the Morgans withdrew the proposal after the briefing. Any future request to connect property outside the buildout boundary would require the engineering study, water shares and payment of the impact fee.