Drain hikes OK'd

Jay County Commissioners gave the nod to increase drainage assessments in two watersheds to help the funds recover from debt sooner.

The commissioners, in their capacity as Jay County Drainage Board, approved increases in assessments for the Limberlost and Ross and Days watersheds, which are straining his watershed borrowing fund.

The Limberlost watershed will see a 25 percent increase for both acre and plot assessments, increasing to $1.25 per acre from $1 and $15.72 per plot, up from $12.50. The Ross and Days watershed will see an acreage increase of 30 cents, to $1.80 per acre (up from $1.50).

Jay County Surveyor Brad Daniels said these larger watersheds, when in debt, put a strain on the borrowing fund, which is used to perform work until money is received semi-annually from taxes. But with the borrowing fund running dangerously low, Daniels was concerned that maintenance work could be in jeopardy if watersheds in the red continue to sap the fund.

"My main issue is tile repairs," Daniels said, noting that fixing that broken infrastructure is critical for farmers getting ready to plant.

The commissioners also looked at some of the smaller watersheds along the Salamonie River that are more than five years in the red and decided that Daniels should move forward toward combining those into the Salamonie River watershed.

"We need to look for seriously on combining some of those," commissioner Jim Zimmerman said.

The plan, which was discussed in detail in November, would combine 39 watersheds that drain into the Salamonie River or Butternut Creek, into one watershed with an assessment of $1 per acre and $12.50 per plot.

The commissioners acknowledged that some property owners might object to their assessments being pooled in and being used to "save" the smaller watersheds that are in debt, but agreed that having one mega-watershed would be more efficient.

Daniels said he would finalize some numbers and ready the process for combination, at which point all affected owners would be notified and would have the option to appear in a public hearing on the topic.

In other business today, commissioners:

•Made Jay County public health coordinator Gary Gibson purchasing agent to buy equipment for the Jay County Health Department. The purchases include a 6-foot by 10-foot trailer, $2,325.60; a portable defibrillator, $1,511.25; a wheelchair for the health office, $470; and two mobile barriers, $860. The equipment will be purchased with state grants.[[In-content Ad]]