Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sanford Ditch Improvement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Erie County approves Sanford Ditch #143 improvement project after ODOT assessment reduced
Summary
After a continued hearing, the Erie County Commissioners approved construction of the Sanford Ditch #143 Improvement Project. ODOT agreed to in‑kind ditch cleaning and its assessment was reduced by about $12,000; the Soil and Water Conservation District applied a $20,000 credit, lowering ODOT’s estimated assessment to $25,386.37.
Commission President Shenigo and the Erie County Commissioners voted March 18 to approve construction of the Sanford Ditch #143 Improvement Project following a continued hearing and follow‑up review by county staff.
Breann Hohman, executive director of the Erie Soil and Water Conservation District, told the board the two outstanding questions from the March 5 hearing had been addressed: whether assessments could be paid off early (the County Auditor confirmed they can, without penalty) and ODOT’s objection to the size of its assessment. Hohman said the county engineer adjusted the runoff factor for green space and the highway right‑of‑way, reducing ODOT’s assessment by nearly $12,000. In addition, ODOT submitted a letter of agreement to provide in‑kind services — cleaning about 1,000 feet of the ditch inside the State Route 2 limited‑access right‑of‑way, including removal of trees and vegetation and shaping the ditch. The Soil and Water Conservation District agreed to provide a $20,000 credit to ODOT, lowering its estimated assessment to $25,386.37.
"Based on that confirmation, I recommend moving forward with approval of the ditch construction project," Hohman said.
On a motion by Mr. Shoffner, seconded by Mr. Old, the board adopted the resolution approving construction as certified by the Erie Soil and Water Conservation District; the roll call was unanimous (Resolution #26-65). Hohman said the project will be put out for bid, ideally by early summer 2026; final assessments will be set after a contract award. Construction is expected to begin after Oct. 1, 2026, with completion projected in spring 2027, weather permitting.
The decision moves the project from the hearing stage to procurement; property owners will receive final assessment amounts once the county approves the contractor's contract.
