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After weighing the benefits versus the costs, the Kosciusko County Drainage Board Thursday unanimously denied a petition for the reconstruction of the Whetstone/Wiley/Hall tile arm of the Shatto Cattell drainage system.
The reconstruction area runs north from the Bernard Kuhn property, along to the west of CR 800W, across Ind. 25 to Gerald Dumanda's property, east of CR 780W. The petition for the reconstruction was filed by Kris Hile and Kuhn.
Dick Kemper, Kosciusko County surveyor, said the estimated cost for the project as proposed is $52,287. If the board accepted the petition, the board could accept a bid for the project for 10 percent higher than the estimate without another hearing. Property owners could pay their share of the cost in 10 installments over five years but after the first year, there would be a 10 percent interest charge.
The board received one letter of remonstration from Dumanda and a remonstrance petition by several area property owners.
"I'd say it was a well-prepared remonstrance," said Kemper.
Property owner Aaron Norris spoke against the reconstruction. He said, "Basically, when we look at the project, when I look at the project, I feel the cost of $52,000 doesn't justify the overall benefit."
"The economics is just not there from my standpoint," agreed Dumanda.
Kuhn asked Kemper if it would be feasible to have the tile go east instead of north. Kemper said they could take a look at that, but drainage board chairman Ron Truex said the hearing Thursday was to decide whether to take the tile north. "Taking it east would be a whole separate issue," he said.
The board determined the cost outweighs the benefits of the reconstruction and denied the petition.
"This means for us," said Kemper, "this plan is no longer on the table."
Members of the drainage board are chairman Ron Truex, Donald Goon, Dorris Harrold, Maurice McDaniel and Eldon Watkins. They meet at 9:15 a.m. in the county courthouse, Warsaw, on the fourth Thursday of every month.
