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County surveyor seeks $30,000 to design repairs for Armor Morgan Drain; council approves engineering funds
Summary
Vermillion County surveyor John Mac requested $30,000 for engineering and grant‑writer work to address the over‑capacity Armor Morgan Drain; the council approved the appropriation to produce final drawings and support grant applications toward multi‑million dollar repair costs.
County Surveyor John Mac told the Vermillion County Council the Armor Morgan Drain is over capacity, too flat and too shallow in places, and must be upgraded to protect downstream property. Mac said the county has historical liability for drains documented since 1944 and that prior studies (including a 2023 study) estimated replacement costs between $1 million and $2.7 million for nearly three miles of underground tile.
Mac asked the council for $30,000 to produce final engineering drawings and to pay grant writers so the county can pursue multiple funding sources (USDA, EPA and other grant programs were mentioned as typical funding partners). He said the drainage board reviewed and voted to send him to request the appropriation. Mac indicated affected landowners would bear construction costs and matching funds would be sought to keep assessment impacts below a stated per‑acre level over multiple years.
Council members asked whether the $30,000 would produce usable drawings and whether those engineering costs could be counted toward match; Mac said the study would produce the necessary design and that the expense typically can be used toward matching in most grant programs. The council approved a $30,000 appropriation for professional fees to the drainage board department by voice vote.
