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Drainage authority pauses repair orders for Ditches 88 and 93 and schedules multiple hearings
Summary
After landowner feedback, the Blue Earth County Drainage Authority voted May 12 to stay previously approved repair orders for County Ditches 88 and 93 to allow further landowner meetings; it also appointed viewers and set hearings for Judicial Ditch 33 and set hearing dates for County Ditches 28 and 65.
The Blue Earth County Drainage Authority voted May 12 to pause repair orders on two county ditches and to schedule additional meetings and hearings to gather more landowner input.
Staff told the authority that after earlier findings and orders approving repair plans, substantial landowner feedback had prompted requests to reconsider those repair orders. For County Ditch 88 staff recommended — and the authority approved — an order staying the previously adopted repair order to allow further review, additional landowner meetings and possible modification, rescission or reaffirmation of the order. Staff said multiple landowner meetings are anticipated in early June and notices will be sent to landowners.
The authority carried the same action for County Ditch 93, adopting a stay to permit additional landowner input and reconsideration of repair scopes.
On Judicial Ditch 33, staff recounted historical redetermination issues, overlapping watershed boundary concerns and the need to update benefit determinations to reflect current land values. The authority approved an order appointing viewers for a redetermination of benefits and set a public hearing on the viewers’ report for May 26, 2026 at 9 a.m.
The board also set final hearing dates for County Ditch 28 (petition for partial abandonment affecting branch 9) and County Ditch 65 (both redetermination of benefits and a repair hearing) for June 9, 2026 at 9 a.m.
Board members emphasized outreach to landowners and the need to ensure notices reach property owners; staff confirmed notices go to landowners and that multiple meetings may be scheduled to maximize participation. All motions to pause or set hearings were moved, seconded and carried at the meeting.
