Thanks to our news partners at The Pilot News
By Greg Hildebrand
Managing Editor
MARSHALL COUNTY—In their first meeting of the new year the Marshall County Drainage Board elected Mike Delp as President and the newest member Stan Klotz as the Vice President. The remainder of the board didn’t change with Commissioner Overmyer, Randy
Glingle and Dave Stults as members.
A public hearing was held, and one person from the public did speak against, for increasing the maintenance assessment of the Leo Berger County Regulated Drain. This increase was then passed in a unanimous vote.
The drain empties into the Yellow River near Jarrah road south of 7th road. The drain starts near the intersection of Juniper Road and 6B road, flows south east to south of 7th road than runs parallel to 7th road to the Yellow River.
There are 66 parcels comprising 936.26 acres in the watershed. The current assessment rate is $1.25 per acre with a $5 minimum collecting $1,225 annually. This rate was established in 1976 and the fund currently has a negative balance of $717.78.
The recent repairs on the ditch totaled $15,127 which exceeds 12 years of collection. The board denied a petition for reconstruction of part of the ditch last year for $90,278 because the cost would exceed the benefits.
The new assessment would raise $5,154 annually at a rate of $5 per acre with a minimum of $25. This collection would stop if the balance of the fund is equal to eight times the annual, currently this is only four times the annual collection.
The one citizen that has property in the watershed that spoke was against it because of the increase in their taxes.
In other business the board awarded the maintenance work on the Jap Lake/James Ballinger Ditch to Beaver Excavating who submitted the lowest of three bids at $9,850.
The board also approved a variance to Shannon McFarland to create a drive onto his property near a ditch bank and corrugated metal pipe that goes under Kenilworth Rd. The property line is close to the proposed drive and would allow access to the west side of Milner Seltenright Ditch.
