Rice County board approves four multiyear ditch redetermination contracts

The Rice County Board of Commissioners approved four multiyear contracts April 28 to redetermine benefits on 23 county ditches, a process the county says will update how assessments are apportioned among landowners.

Jarrett, the county drainage presenter, told commissioners the contracts were grouped to avoid a minimum‑acreage surcharge and that the consultant rate in the contracts is $3.97 per acre. "In the contract, there is a line that talks about, the rate for us is $3.97 per acre, but it also includes a minimum acreage," Jarrett said, explaining the rationale for grouping ditches so the minimums would not apply. He added, "They're all well over the, I believe, 3,500 acre minimum."

Jarrett listed the ditches included in each group and gave estimated completion windows: group 1 targeted for late 2026–early 2027, group 2 by mid‑2027, and groups 3 and 4 extending into 2028. Commissioners discussed public outreach: one commissioner urged proactive announcements so landowners learn about the process early rather than hearing about it informally. "I think it would be good if we could put out a public announcement ... so there's transparency," the commissioner said.

The board approved a single motion to accept all four group contracts. Jarrett said grouping the ditches and approving the contracts now locks in today’s price for subsequent years and avoids escalation clauses for the work schedule proposed.

Next steps described by staff include updating the county drainage webpage, holding landowner meetings and scheduling final hearings required by the redetermination process. The board moved out of the Drainage Authority later in the meeting.