Blackford County Drainage Board Tackles Tile Shortage, Assessment Reform, and AEP Fiber Optic Plan

From the Blackford County Drainage Board Meeting on June 1, 2026

The county surveyor reported that tile supply problems linked to tariffs are getting worse, not better. "The prices aren't getting any lower," the surveyor said, adding there is "a lot of question in industry whether they'll be supply here in a couple months." The Panhandle and Skinner Roush drainage projects are delayed by the shortage. The Hudson Williams tile project has been completed.

The surveyor also announced an effort to overhaul how drainage fees are assessed. Currently, paved surfaces are charged at 10 times the normal runoff rate, but railroad property is assessed the same as farmland — which the surveyor says is inadequate, especially since tracks have been doubled in many areas. The county received a 115-page document from Commonwealth, an engineering and consulting firm, detailing assessment methods used across the country. Farm rates have risen from $2 per acre to $10 per acre, and the surveyor said "$10 may not be enough." A public hearing would be required to change the rates.

Separately, American Electric Power submitted a storm water plan for a fiber optic extension to wind and solar substations — approximately 3.5 miles of fiber. AEP missed the advertising deadline for the regular meeting, so a special Drainage Board meeting is scheduled for June 15 at 9:30 AM to review the plan.

On Lake Mohee Dam, dewatering continues with no setbacks. The excavator has been removed and spoils cleared, which reduces costs.

Source: Meeting transcript — Blackford County - Drainage Board Meeting - June 1, 2026 (full meeting)

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.