Hoffman family damages claim over Argo reconstruction tabled as county seeks contractor input

The Allen County Drainage Board on July 2 tabled a request from the Hoffman Family Estate seeking payment for damages tied to the Argo Upper Cutoff drain reconstruction, giving the board more time to gather information from the contractor.

Allen County Surveyor Mike Fruchey presented photos and calculations and said he had computed "$14,820 for easement damages utilizing an easement valuation matrix that local appraisers use." Petitioner Jan Jarrett read the estate's letter and damage assessment; the board also discussed an apparent private agreement in which the contractor applied an "$8,000" discount for demolition work in exchange for extra working area, which the property representatives said was part of the settlement between the contractor and owner.

Board members and counsel debated what work occurred outside the regulated easement and whether that out-of-easement activity created compensable damages. Drainage board attorney Mike Hoffman said earlier determinations about price-per-acre and an 80% valuation had been considered and accepted by the property owner's representative with no appeal, but he acknowledged additional work outside the agreement could raise separate claims. Farmer Leslie Hoffman told the board that soil compaction and loss of topsoil nutrients in staging areas would reduce near-term benefits, saying those effects may last several years.

Vice-Chair James Orr and other members asked the county staff to obtain Krafft Water Solutions' documentation about the invoice and any site agreements. The board voted to table DOC #26-264 and directed staff to invite the contractor to provide written or in-person testimony no later than the Aug. 6, 2026 meeting. The item remains unresolved pending that evidence.