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Drainage board approves Tiernan Unit periodic maintenance after mixed public comment
Summary
The Allen County Drainage Board approved establishing a periodic maintenance fund for the Tiernan Unit, setting proposed assessment rates and projecting an annual collection of $56,788.16 amid eight letters of objection and public comments about debris and pond safety.
The Allen County Drainage Board on May 7 approved the establishment of a periodic maintenance fund for the Tiernan Drain Unit (Tiernan Upper, Tiernan Lower, Ackerman and Revert drains) after a public hearing and board discussion.
Erica Jackson of the Allen County Surveyor’s Office presented the Surveyor’s Report and a proposed assessment schedule, saying, “The assessment rates have been kept as low as possible to ensure affordability.” The board recorded a proposed annual collection of $56,788.16, an eight-year high balance estimate of $454,305.26 and a cost estimate for maintenance work of $428,850.00.
During public comment several residents described recurring debris and sediment problems. Louise Duhaime, president of the Communities of Foxwood HOA, urged board action to prevent large trees and stumps from reaching a pond outlet and potentially damaging a dam. Other speakers raised objections about whether developers should pay initial drainage costs and about localized flooding on certain properties.
Allen County Surveyor Mike Fruchey responded to concerns about the limits of maintenance authority, easement widths and development standards, explaining that Indiana Code 36-9-27 authorizes assessments on properties within a regulated drain watershed. The board voted to combine the four legal drains into a single Tiernan Unit and approved Doc #26-050 on a motion from Mark Rekeweg, seconded by Jim Orr; the motion carried.
