Ditch rates may be rising (05/12/08)

Ditch assessments in six watersheds are expected to be raised this summer because they're more than five years in the red.

Jay County Commissioners, acting as the county drainage board, set a hearing for June 23 to increase drainage fees in the Geesaman, Sommers, Lupton, Switzer, Goss and Switzer, and D.V. Flesher watersheds.

The new ditch assessments will be advertised at $2 an acre and $20 per plot, though the final amount may be negotiated with landowners at the public hearing.

The increase is in response to recommendations by the Indiana State Board of Accounts.

"People don't mind paying a little extra if they can see some progress," said commissioner Milo Miller Jr.

In other drainage-related business, approval was given to drainage plans for the new Walgreen's pharmacy to be constructed northwest of the intersection of Votaw and Meridian streets.

County surveyor Brad Daniels noted the plans call for underground retention of storm water through a system of oversized tiles, a method often used in urban areas.

"Most of these companies want to do it the right way," Daniels said.

In other business, the commissioners:

•Directed attorney Lon Racster to draft an ordinance controlling parking on the county's new West Walnut Street lot. The ordinance will limit parking to courthouse employees between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Those in violation will receive one warning ticket. A second violation will carry a $25 fine, and a subsequent violation will result in towing the vehicle at the owner's expense.

•Asked Racster to develop an amendment to the county's no-through-truck ordinance that would add county road 200 West from Ind. 26 to county road 300 North. The road was recently widened, but its base is inadequate for heavy trucks. The county's ordinance exempts pick-up trucks, school buses, and trucks making deliveries along that section of road.

•Toured the former Ford dealership building on West Main Street with an environmental consultant. The building may be razed to make room for an expansion of the Jay County Jail.[[In-content Ad]]