Henry County Drainage Board approves May claims, pays $1,360 invoice and adopts updated stormwater manual

The Henry County Drainage Board on May 13 approved its May claims ledger, authorized a one‑time $1,360 payment to Powell Excavating for repair work related to an NRCS‑relocated main, adopted an updated Stormwater Technical Standard Manual and approved multiple site‑level drainage permits and plan revisions.

Chair Joel Magiera presided. Vice Chair Jeff Cates moved to approve the March 11 and April 8 minutes; Chase Heinold seconded and the motion carried 4‑0. The board then reviewed a claims ledger listing vendor invoices across multiple drains totaling $33,439.15 and voted 4‑0 to approve payment of the May claims as presented.

Surveyor Stephen L. Rust told the board that contractor Ron Chew reported an NRCS installation about three years ago left an old main in place rather than crushing it, which created a blow hole and local water problems. Rust asked the board to pay Powell Excavating’s $1,360 invoice to repair the blow hole and to abandon the old main at that location. The board approved the payment and directed that, if similar NRCS relocations arise in the future, the board will require the old main be moved/abandoned/crushed and will accept ownership of the new main at the new location.

The board approved revised site plans for Cadiz Christian Church that reduce the parking area by roughly half; county reviewer Mr. Copeland had approved the change and the board noted drainage remains as previously approved and that the gravel lot must meet county codes and the current stormwater ordinance.

The board authorized staff to send a letter requesting landowner maintenance of ditches after county cleaning and discussed a certified letter sent by the Drainage Board attorney, Joel Harvey, regarding private easement issues. For parcels 029‑05901‑00 and 029‑05902‑00, Rust said a tree within the 75‑foot easement has plugged a private tile; the county will hire a contractor to remove the tree and any subsequent private drain repairs will be the landowners’ responsibility.

Permitting actions included approval of a private‑and‑mutual drain connection permit for parcel 010‑04206‑00 to allow tiling to tie into the county open ditch and acceptance of a swale variance for the Tibbs property at 9833 Buck Creek Pike to achieve positive drainage around a house and barn. A separate property at 308 N East St., Kennard, was found to meet the two‑foot‑above‑road standard and required no variances.

Rust explained revisions to the Stormwater Technical Standard Manual, specifically Chapter 4, Section L (connections to the storm sewer system). The board approved replacing the July 2024 version with the May 2026 version. The meeting adjourned following a 4‑0 vote to close.

Votes at a glance: March/April minutes approved (motion by Jeff Cates, second Chase Heinold) — carried 4‑0; May claims approved — carried 4‑0; Powell Excavating invoice for parcel 002‑01025‑00 ($1,360) approved (mover: Steve Dellinger, second: Jeff Cates) — carried 4‑0; Cadiz Christian Church updated plan approved — carried 4‑0; authorization to send landowner notice to maintain ditches — carried 4‑0; private connection permit (010‑04206‑00) approved — carried 4‑0; Tibbs swale variance approved — carried 4‑0; Stormwater Technical Standard Manual updated to May 2026 version — carried 4‑0; adjournment motion carried 4‑0.

The board did not set a date for the next meeting during the session; the minutes were signed and attested by Surveyor Stephen Rust.