LaPorte County Drainage Board June 9, 2026

The LaPorte County Drainage Board held a meeting on June 9, 2026, focusing primarily on drainage-related infrastructure and permitting issues. Key procurement-related discussions included the approval of a new fee ordinance for permit inspections related to crossings, encroachments, and underground utility excavations, with fees set at $1,000 for commercial encroachments and underground excavations, and $150 for residential and agricultural encroachments. The board voted to approve these fees and move the ordinance forward to the county commissioners for final adoption. Additionally, the board approved multiple drain crossing applications from NIPSCO and Unity Dark Fiber, specifying installation depths below the natural ditch bottom, and authorized hiring a surveyor named Tony to verify elevations and oversee a bridge replacement project to ensure proper drainage. The board also approved payment of $5,600 to Davey Group for ditch de-brushing work, contingent on inspection of the remaining work. Other discussions involved ongoing drainage issues requiring further investigation and potential administrative remedies, with some projects tabled until the next meeting in August. The meeting concluded with a note on limited engineering funds available for upcoming projects.