Landowners will have to pay ditch assessment despite claim of hardship

Reed Anfinson

Publisher

There will be no forgiveness of the debt Harlan and Linda Peters have been assessed against their land for the improvements made to Joint Ditch 9 serving Swift and Chippewa counties.

Swift County Parks and Drainage Supervisor Kody Fossum to the county board of commissioner at their May 16 meeting that the Peters, through their attorney, have claimed a hardship in paying the $464.69 assessed on 4 acres of their land.

The payment was due in one lump sum with the deadline for paying it already past. Based on provisions in state ditch law, the county required that all payments under $500 be made by April 2.

The Peters are on Social Security and say they see no direct benefit from Joint Ditch 9 to their property.

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