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Soil & Water seeks county contribution for engineering work on four riverbank sites
Summary
Owen County Soil & Water asked the council to consider a modest match (she suggested $1,000–$5,000) toward an $11,000 engineering grant match to design stabilization at four critical riverbank sites; commissioners postponed action to July and encouraged staff coordination with DNR-approved engineers.
Tammy Bingham, director of Owen County Soil & Water, described progress on an initial riverbank stabilization project and presented a request to support engineering work on four additional critical erosion sites along the county riverfront. She said the DNR-approved engineering grant requires a local match estimated at $11,000; Bingham reported $4,000 in-kind and a $500 pledge from the Friends of My Path, leaving a county share that she asked the council to consider.
"I would like to see the county council and then also the town council pledge something," Bingham said, noting that the engineering plan could be used across several sites and that efficient grant design could compress a multi-year schedule.
Council reaction: Members thanked Bingham for consolidating the sites and moved to postpone formal action until July to allow review and funding prioritization during the county budget process. The motion carried.
Impacts and timing: Bingham said construction grant applications will be due in the fall/early winter cycle and that completing engineering this year improves the chance of securing construction funds next season. She invited commissioners and council members to a June 22 Zoom briefing with the engineer and a site visit planned for June 24.
Next steps: The council will place the request on the July agenda for formal consideration and possible contribution; staff will also assess other local grant-match priorities in the 2027 budget discussions.
