Drainage Surveyor Proposes Pooling Ditch Funds for Major Reconstruction in Blackford County

From the Blackford County Drainage Board meeting on August 3, 2026

Drainage Consultant Paul Schriver proposed pooling funds from multiple drainage ditches within a system to pay for major reconstruction projects — a shift from the current approach where each ditch segment must fund its own repairs.

Using the Little Lick Ditch system as an example, Shriver explained that the system generates approximately $80,000 in annual income with about $50,000 in debt, leaving a $30,000 surplus. But individual segments — like a tile line needing $40,000 to $50,000 to replace half its length — cannot be funded within the current eight-year assessment window. A tile line has a 75- to 150-year lifespan but must be paid for with only eight years of assessments, recently increased from four.

Under the proposal, funds from all 12 to 13 ditches feeding into Little Lick would be pooled for major projects while individual ditch accounting would continue for routine maintenance. Shriver said individual assessments would stay in the range of $19 to $23 per acre, with a target of $25 to $50 per acre per year as a reasonable drainage cost for farm operators.

Attorney Aubrey will research whether Indiana drainage law permits this kind of pooled funding structure, noting it may require legislative action.

Commissioners noted a shift in public attitude: residents at reassessment hearings now ask "when are you going to get it done?" instead of opposing the assessments.

Source: YouTube transcript — Blackford County Drainage Board Meeting, August 3, 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.