Resident objects as Allen County board approves higher assessment for Huguenard No.2 Drain

The Allen County Drainage Board approved a threefold increase in the periodic maintenance assessment for Huguenard No.2 Drain at its Feb. 19 meeting, raising the charge from $1.00 per acre to $3.00 per acre. The district’s proposed minimums are $15 for residential/agricultural/vacant/exempt parcels and $75 for commercial/industrial/utility/railroad parcels; ACSO staff estimated the increase would generate about $12,242.61 in annual collections and an eight‑year high balance of about $99,396.87.

During the public hearing, adjacent homeowner DeAnna Archer said she is currently experiencing flooding and argued that nearby development has increased runoff onto her property. Archer told the board she feels "the highway is high and she is in a tea cup" and that new development has added runoff that should share responsibility for costs. ACSO’s Jay Freimuth and surveyor staff responded that, while development can change runoff patterns, city release standards apply to new projects and the county’s review of quantity inside city limits is limited. ACSO staff Larry Weber told the board that construction costs rose because contractors can no longer spread spoil on farmland and must haul it away, noting prices rose from about "$4.50/ft to $12.00/ft," which increases the cost of cleaning an urbanized ditch.

Board member Ron Turpin asked for the drain’s total length; ACSO staff reported 9,992 feet. Turpin moved to approve Doc #25-298 to increase periodic maintenance; the motion was seconded by Rich Beck and carried.