County ditches care and costs discussed

As the Swift County Board of Commissioners stepped into a discussion about proposed ditch levies for 2027, they found a lot more to talk about than what was on the agenda.
Forty-seven ditch systems were listed on the agenda with assessments totaling $1,149,500 for cleanouts, tree removal, tree spraying, tree grinding, and tile repair. Proposed assessments ranged from just $500 to $225,000.
To summarize the action on the proposed assessments presented to commissioners by Auditor-Treasurer Sarah Jaeger, they moved a decision to later in November. Then two other discussions involving ditches requiring a deeper discussion and future action started.
First, Jaeger told commissioners that Stevens County, as well as other counties, charge their ditch systems for the work their assessments and other financial bookkeeping require.
“We are not doing that. I don’t know if that needs to be approved,” she said. In Stevens County, a cost is determined, then spread across the ditch systems. 
Parks and Drainage Supervisor Jake Knapper’s time is partially paid for by the ditch systems, Commissioner Gary Hendrickx, District 1-Appleton, pointed out. What’s the difference? Is it a cost the ditch system picks up?

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