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Winnebago County board questions decades-old Fairmont County drainage invoices, appoints engineer to survey DD 3589
Summary
Board members discussed alleged Fairmont County invoices for drainage work dating to a 1957 agreement, questioned billing for decades-old work and directed staff to research records; the board also approved hiring Jacobson Westergaard to survey DD 3589 Lot 12.
At a Winnebago County board meeting (date not specified), members discussed a batch of invoices and correspondence from neighboring Fairmont County that claim a 1957 intercounty drainage agreement and charges for work performed between 2002 and 2019. The board also approved appointing Jacobson Westergaard to survey Drainage District (DD) 3589, Lot 12, to determine whether repairs are required.
The extended discussion began when Committee member (speaker 1) said the county had received an itemized notice and, as an example, noted, “So I get an invoice for $9,268.90.” The speaker said the county’s records showed no recent billing to Winnebago landowners and that staff had not previously received bills for many of the years in question. “We say we don't pay anything over 2 years old,” the same speaker said, describing a proposed written policy the county is drafting to limit liability for stale invoices.
Speaker 1 said Fairmont County’s letter asserted an agreement dating to 1957 and that Fairmont had begun consolidating and sending old working orders and invoices. Board members expressed concern that many properties had changed hands since the early 2000s and that current landowners could not easily be held responsible for decades-old assessments. One member noted the pattern of repeated similar levy amounts across multiple years — including three consecutive years showing roughly $58,000 — which raised questions about how Fairmont calculated each parcel’s share.
The board debated whether to pursue historical billing records, obtain maps of outlet lines, and consult legal or administrative staff. Committee member (speaker 4) advised caution about responding directly: staff should gather documentation and consult County staff (including John Torbert and Kelsey) before committing to payment or negotiation. Speaker 1 said they would compile the records they have and return with further information.
Separately and by formal motion, the board approved appointing Jacobson Westergaard to survey DD 3589, Lot 12, to determine if repairs are needed. The motion was made and seconded and carried by voice vote. The engineer appointment will provide a current technical basis for any decisions about repairs or cost allocation.
Why it matters: If Fairmont County’s invoices are valid and collectible, Winnebago County could face unexpected assessments for work performed years ago. The board’s decision to document a policy limiting payment of older bills and to obtain an engineer’s survey reflects an effort to establish current technical facts and administrative limits before responding to cross-border claims.
The board directed staff to research archival billing records, produce maps showing drainage outlets that cross county lines, and return with a recommendation; no final payment or intercounty settlement was approved at the meeting.
