July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Rates hiked in watersheds
Jay County Drainage Board
After hearing from affected property owners this morning, the Jay County Commissioners raised the drainage assessment for the Limberlost watershed - although not to the full proposed amount.
The commissioners, in their capacity as the Jay County Drainage Board, upped the rates to $1.50 per acre and $20 per plot, up from $1 per acre and $10 per plot. The commissioners originally proposed $2/$20, but went half way on the acreage assessment after hearing from affected residents.
Six property owners within the Limberlost watershed came to contest the increase and ask questions about the condition of the watershed.
Jay County Surveyor Brad Daniels fielded several questions and started by defusing a question about how much money had been transferred out of the Limberlost to pay for work in other watersheds.
"Zero," Daniels said. "We're not allowed to (transfer)."
Daniels said the Limberlost is currently $2,589 in debt and that at the rate of $1/$10, the county collects $26,192.83 per year. By raising the rates to $2/$20, it would pull in $49,775.36.
So far this year, work crews have already spent about $10,000 repairing tile and cleaning ditches for that watershed.
Daniels reminded those in attendance that if a watershed's balance reaches four times its annual assessment, the collection is stopped.
Residents resisted the increased fee, stating that they felt work was never being completed. Daniels said that crews have not been working in watersheds that are in the red because his borrowing fund had been depleted.
"For the last six to eight months, our borrowing fund has been way down," he said.
"I wanted to stay out of watersheds that were broke.
"We wanted to raise this one before it's $40,000 to $50,000 in the hole," he added.
One resident suggested raising the acreage rate to $1.50 per acre to help ease over some of the "sticker shock" from the rate doubling. At that rate, the Limberlost would capture about $38,000 per year.
"Are you guys willing to settle for a buck and a half per acre?" asked commissioner Milo Miller Jr. to the rest of the audience.
With no objections, the commissioners proceeded to raise the Limberlost rate to $1.50/$20.
The commissioners also raised the rate for people who own property in the Franks Ditch, which is privately maintained. Because it drains into the Limberlost, property owners along the Franks pay half of the Limberlost rate (75 cents per acre/$10 per plot)
In other business this morning, the commissioners:
•Approved two ditch assessment combinations for properties in use by Lighthouse Church in Dunkirk. The commissioners approved combination of two bare lots owned by Robert E. Crago and one bare lot and building owned by Robert L. Thomas.
•Signed a resolution to convey two tax certificates for properties in Pennville to the Town of Pennville.[[In-content Ad]]
The commissioners, in their capacity as the Jay County Drainage Board, upped the rates to $1.50 per acre and $20 per plot, up from $1 per acre and $10 per plot. The commissioners originally proposed $2/$20, but went half way on the acreage assessment after hearing from affected residents.
Six property owners within the Limberlost watershed came to contest the increase and ask questions about the condition of the watershed.
Jay County Surveyor Brad Daniels fielded several questions and started by defusing a question about how much money had been transferred out of the Limberlost to pay for work in other watersheds.
"Zero," Daniels said. "We're not allowed to (transfer)."
Daniels said the Limberlost is currently $2,589 in debt and that at the rate of $1/$10, the county collects $26,192.83 per year. By raising the rates to $2/$20, it would pull in $49,775.36.
So far this year, work crews have already spent about $10,000 repairing tile and cleaning ditches for that watershed.
Daniels reminded those in attendance that if a watershed's balance reaches four times its annual assessment, the collection is stopped.
Residents resisted the increased fee, stating that they felt work was never being completed. Daniels said that crews have not been working in watersheds that are in the red because his borrowing fund had been depleted.
"For the last six to eight months, our borrowing fund has been way down," he said.
"I wanted to stay out of watersheds that were broke.
"We wanted to raise this one before it's $40,000 to $50,000 in the hole," he added.
One resident suggested raising the acreage rate to $1.50 per acre to help ease over some of the "sticker shock" from the rate doubling. At that rate, the Limberlost would capture about $38,000 per year.
"Are you guys willing to settle for a buck and a half per acre?" asked commissioner Milo Miller Jr. to the rest of the audience.
With no objections, the commissioners proceeded to raise the Limberlost rate to $1.50/$20.
The commissioners also raised the rate for people who own property in the Franks Ditch, which is privately maintained. Because it drains into the Limberlost, property owners along the Franks pay half of the Limberlost rate (75 cents per acre/$10 per plot)
In other business this morning, the commissioners:
•Approved two ditch assessment combinations for properties in use by Lighthouse Church in Dunkirk. The commissioners approved combination of two bare lots owned by Robert E. Crago and one bare lot and building owned by Robert L. Thomas.
•Signed a resolution to convey two tax certificates for properties in Pennville to the Town of Pennville.[[In-content Ad]]
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD