DeKalb County board approves combining James B. Ridge into Reuben Sol drain and raises maintenance rate

The DeKalb County Drainage Board voted Aug. 20 to combine the James B. Ridge regulated drain (number 419-0000) into the Reuben Sol regulated drain and to increase the base maintenance assessment for the affected lateral from $4 to $10 per benefited acre.

The surveyor reported the change would reclassify James B. Ridge as a lateral to the Reuben Sol parent drain and rename it Reuben Solville lateral 2 (444-02-0). "The surveyor's office has proposed a rate increase from $4 to $10 for the benefited acres of the Reuben Solo located within the lateral 2 watershed," the surveyor stated during the presentation. The office projected the lateral would add about $725.39 annually to the system.

Why this matters: the change alters how annual maintenance costs are assessed to landowners in the watershed and creates different multipliers for property classes. Under the proposal, residential properties would be assessed at twice the base rate and commercial properties at three times the base, with a minimum of $10 for the lateral.

The surveyor provided technical details about the system, including tile lengths and the drain's relationship to its parent system, and offered historical context about prior numbering and petitions dating to 1910. The board asked technical questions and confirmed that all lands within the watershed would be assessed and that benefits were not excessive.

After considering the surveyor's report and the attorney's drafted findings of fact, a board member moved to approve the findings and to adopt the petition as presented. Both motions were seconded and the chair called the vote; the motions carried. The board ordered the combination and directed the administrative assistant to publish notice of the final order as required by the Indiana County Drainage Code.

The hearing record indicates no timely written objections were filed. The board adjourned the hearing after issuing its order.