Board approves permanent-structure consents and advertises hearings for several drains

The Whitley County Drainage Board approved multiple consent requests for permanent structures and authorized hearings to consider assessment increases on separate drains.

The board approved a consent for a permanent-structure request on Snyder J (noted in packets at 700 South near the county line) after staff said the applicant had submitted plans showing two utility lines crossing the drain at four feet depth and that no known issues were identified. A committee member moved to approve the consent for 614-00B Snyder J and the motion passed by voice vote.

The board also approved a request from MCC Network Services LLC to bore communications lines under several drains along a county route; staff reviewed the route and reported no known issues before the board approved the consent by voice vote.

Separately, the board moved to advertise hearings to raise assessments on Schneider J (Snyder j) number 4 and Shook S number 7. Staff described Schneider J number 4 as having a low fund balance and needing an approximately $25,000 first-phase 1,100-foot replacement; the board voted to advertise that hearing with a proposed assessment of $40 per acre and a $200 minimum. For Shook S number 7, staff said the tile is undersized (10,900 feet long) and estimated a first phase of 3,500 feet of 24-inch tile at approximately $95,000; the board moved to advertise a hearing to raise that assessment to $40 per acre with a $200 minimum (estimated annual collections $27,533.60) and approved the motion by voice vote.

Board members noted they had contacted external agencies for background on some requests and that additional details and quotes will be discussed in follow-up meetings.