Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Drainage Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves multiple drainage actions: award for Ditch 2 repair, orders redeterminations and corrects benefits listing
Summary
The board awarded County Ditch 2 repair work to the lowest bidder, ordered a redetermination of benefits for County Ditch 50, approved correction to County Ditch 56 benefits, and appointed an engineer to prepare a preliminary report for a proposed County Ditch 99 in Lyme Township.
Blue Earth County commissioners approved several drainage-related actions on March 17, including awarding a repair contract for County Ditch 2, ordering a redetermination of benefits for County Ditch 50, correcting duplicate benefits in County Ditch 56, and appointing an engineer for a petition to establish County Ditch 99.
Ryan Hineker, property environmental resources staff, told the board that three quotes for County Ditch 2 repairs were opened Feb. 24, 2026 and recommended awarding the work to the low bidder, Boerneke Construction Inc., at $80,027.55. The board approved the award.
Staff also recommended ordering a redetermination of benefits for County Ditch 50 because the benefits listing from 1998 does not reflect present-day land values or viewing methodology and because overlapping watershed boundaries with County Ditch 27 complicated benefit reconciliation; the board ordered appointment of viewers.
During the redetermination process for adjacent Ditch 27 staff found a duplicate benefits listing in the 2016 benefits for County Ditch 56 affecting a specific parcel; staff recommended removing $14,888.80 for 16 acres and updating the benefits listing. The board approved the correction.
Finally, staff presented a petition received Feb. 3, 2026 to establish County Ditch 99 in Lyme Township (watershed includes part of Mankato Airport property) and recommended appointing ISG engineer Chuck Bridal to prepare a preliminary survey report under Minnesota Statute 103E; the board approved the appointment.
Why it matters: These items move forward multiple drainage projects, allocate repair work, and update benefit listings that determine cost apportionment and maintenance responsibility for landowners.
What happens next: Staff will award the contract to Boerneke Construction, appoint viewers for the CD50 redetermination, correct the CD56 benefits listing in county records, and direct ISG to prepare the preliminary report for CD99.
