Commissioners approve higher assessments to fund ditch maintenance in parts of Knox County

The Knox County Board of Commissioners on May 21 approved recommended assessments for several petition ditches to bring collections closer to maintenance needs.

Staff explained historical caps left some petition ditches underfunded and recommended raising collections, at least to option 2, so the ditch fund has money for spraying and maintenance. For 2027 the board approved proposed measures including a cap of $4,500 with a $0 assessment for Kitcozian Plantation (Pleasant Township) and a $3,000 cap with a $0 assessment for Sycamore Meadows (Hillier Township). For Ralphie's Ditch — a petition ditch covering 132 parcels in Hilliard and Milford townships — staff recommended increasing collections toward a projected $5,711.04 to better match expected maintenance costs.

A commissioner emphasized the county's legal role in petition ditches: "The county's only responsibility is to collect the assessment, put it in its own fund, and then maintain the ditch for the homeowners," and argued the fund must be solvent to pay bills when maintenance is required. Another commissioner noted that the original petition created the ditch and that subsequent owners now bear the assessment.

The board moved, seconded and approved the recommendations by voice vote. Commissioners said they will review fund balances annually and re-evaluate future adjustments.

Next steps: Staff will implement the assessments, monitor the ditch fund balance and bring proposals back to the board before future increases are considered.