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Tipton, IN 46072

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Drain assessment changes for 2011

By VICKY BOYD
Tribune Correspondent
The Tipton County Drainage Board met recently with several assessments addressed by the board. Recent developments concerning the George Woods tile project have forced the drainage board to take another look at the process followed for drain maintenance and reconstruction. The George Woods tile project on Ind. 213 was put on hold by INDOT when proper paperwork was not filed. According to Drainage Board President Jane Harper, the board was not aware of drainage projects until the bills started arriving. All projects over $1,500 are now to be approved by the Drainage Board, stated Harper at a previous drainage board meeting.
The surveyor’s office brought the following assessments before the board in order to clear up deficits on the maintenance fund’s books:
Peter Michaels tile currently has a negative balance of $6,748 with an assessment of 50 cents per acre, and a minimum charge of $5. This will be changed to $5 per acre agriculture, $15 commercial, with a $30 minimum charge.
John Magnett tile has a negative balance of $10,217 and is currently assessed at $1 per acre with a $6 minimum. John Magnett ditch will be increased to $10 per acre agriculture, $50 commercial, with a minimum of $30.
William Russell tile has a current deficit balance of $23,114 dollars with a current assessment of $2.50 per acre and a minimum charge of $12.50. This will increase to $14 per agriculture acre, $20 commercial, with a minimum charge of $30.
Kemp-Dunham tile includes a negative balance of $25,992 and is currently assessed at $1.50 with a minimum charge of $30. The assessment will be increase to $6.25 per acre for agriculture, $15 for commercial with a $30 minimum charge.
A.S. Nickey ditch has a deficit balance of $23,303 currently and is being assessed at $3 per acre with a minimum of $30. These figures will increase to $8 per acre for agriculture, $15 commercial, with a minimum of $35.
M. A. Hannah tile currently has a deficit balance of $22,811 dollars with assessment of $1 per acre and a $6 minimum. This will increase to $3 per acre for agriculture, $15 commercial, with a minimum of $30.
Christy Samuels tile has a current negative balance of $16,481 and receives $2 per acre assessment with a $6 minimum. This was to increase to $8 per Henderson’s recommendation; however, Ted Grayson asked to have the increase reevaluated. Grayson asked why the job had increased from an estimate of $15,000 to $30,000. Henderson said that Kip Bergman, contractor, had made a “serious miscalculation” on the job. Grayson commented that it was “strange business.” The board agreed to change the new assessment to $4 instead of the recommended $8 for agriculture, $15 commercial, with a minimum of $30.
Grayson asked if the new assessment would be reduced after the maintenance fund is paid off. Henderson informed him that they would stop collecting when the fund reached a positive sum of $4,000.
A new maintenance fund was established by the drainage board for Suburban Southfield regulated drainage system. This drain is located in the Maxey-Hopkins sub-division. The assessment will be $4 per acre, $10 commercial, with a minimum of $25. Implementation of the new assessment will begin in the 2011 calendar year.
Neil Johnson, farmer, asked the board about the flooding on C.R. 1100W. Johnson stated that they were unable to farm the area because it is so fragile. He estimated crop losses of $50,000 because of the flooding problems. Every time repairs are made it breaks down again, stated Johnson.
Henderson said that they were considering converting the area to an open drain because of the antiquated tile.