Stormwater board approves up to $10,000 for emergency DeSoto repairs after residents report sinkholes
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Summary
After residents described sinkholes and near-injuries in DeSoto, the Delaware County Stormwater Board approved up to $10,000 for immediate work at 6400 North Wood Street and previously authorized a $10,000 engineering survey to map drainage lines.
The Delaware County Stormwater Board of Commissioners on April 6 approved up to $10,000 for immediate work at 6400 North Wood Street in DeSoto after residents described long-running sinkholes and recent incidents that raised safety concerns.
At the public-comment portion of the meeting, Rick Dalgett, of 1805 North County Road 397 East in Muncie, said his niece fell into a sinkhole and recounted his own attempt to rescue her. "What's a little child's life worth?" Dalgett said, urging the board to act.
Julie Fairchild, who identified herself as a homeowner at 6400 Northwood Street, said she has had to sandbag her garage and cannot complete repeated temporary fixes. "I've been told that I just have to dig the holes up myself and fix everything," Fairchild said, asking the board for help to cover or repair dangerous holes around her property.
Board members said the DeSoto drainage problems are longstanding and complex. One member said the entire line near the neighborhood appears deteriorated and that a full replacement of sections — rather than isolated point repairs — may be required for a long-term fix. The board emphasized that temporary measures risk recurring failure without first mapping where the lines and outlets run.
Earlier in the meeting the board approved a separate motion to authorize the county engineering department to spend not more than $10,000 to conduct a survey and analysis of DeSoto drainage lines to support scopes of work and future RFPs. After the public comments, the board moved to allocate up to $10,000 specifically for attempting to address drainage in front of 6400 North Wood Street; members noted that if a permanent fix exceeds that amount they would be notified.
Chair (meeting moderator) noted the stormwater fund balance and cautioned that the board's annual revenues are limited, which could constrain large reconstruction projects. The board did not set a timeline for completion of the fieldwork; staff were asked to check access near the railroad and evaluate temporary mitigation options while the engineering survey proceeds.
Next steps: county engineering will proceed with the mapping/survey authorized earlier, staff will inspect the immediate site at 6400 North Wood Street to determine if short-term barricades or other interim measures are feasible, and the board expects follow-up reports if estimated permanent costs exceed the approved short-term amounts.
