Drainage rates could be rising (11/10/2008)

Jay County Surveyor Brad Daniels presented recommendations this morning to increase fees on seven watersheds.

After being asked to review the debt situation on the county's watersheds, Daniels returned to the Jay County Commissioners with areas that could benefit from a rise in assessments.

The proposed watersheds are Bailey Zimmerman, Cartwright, Glen Miller, Jenkins, Ross and Days, Upper Salamonia and Wood, all of which are being considered for a higher assessment at $2 per acre and $20 per plot.

"Several of them are quite a bit in debt," Daniels said. The fee increases will help to pull these areas out of the red quicker so the county can continue to clean ditches and replace tile in those areas.

It would also help to alleviate strain being put on his maintenance borrowing fund.

For example, the Bailey Zimmerman watershed is about $19,000 in debt, "Which isn't a lot," Daniels said, "But when you take that out of the borrowing account, that's a big chunk.

"It'd be nice to have these raised up," he said, even though, "They'll still be draining the borrowing fund for a couple years."

The commissioners reviewed the suggestions from Daniels and agreed to move forward.

"The only thing we can do is have a hearing on them and see what people want to do," said commissioner Milo Miller Jr. "Might as well get the ball rolling."

The commissioners looked ahead and planned to hold hearings to ask for public input before they act on the increases. Those hearings were tentatively scheduled for Monday, Jan. 12 starting at 9:15 a.m.

In other business this morning, the commissioners:

•Were informed by Carl Walker that a tile within the Lowell Grissel watershed near the sand and gravel pit east of Pennville is in need of some repairs. Daniels said he would inform the work crews and they would look into it.

•Spoke with Carla Strong about a proposed cattle confined feeding operation north of Bryant. Strong asked the commissioners what the status of the new CAFO was and how she could file a protest, since strong odors from the farm could affect tourism at Bearcreek Farms in the area.

•Heard a presentation from Old National representative Steve Gillie about some health insurance options they could provide for the county. The commissioners took the information under advisement.[[In-content Ad]]