Blue Earth County Commissioners for September 15th, 2026

The Blue Earth County Commissioners held a meeting on September 15, 2026, which included a public hearing on the proposed repairs for Judicial Ditch 23. Engineers from ISG presented detailed findings from extensive televising and inspections of the century-old drainage system, outlining three repair options with estimated costs ranging from $160,000 for spot repairs to $1.15 million for full system repair including subsidance issues. The board discussed the repair report, received public comments from landowners expressing concerns about communication and future repairs, and approved a resolution to finance the project, potentially through bonding. Additionally, the meeting covered human services updates, including child protection data and staffing, and the proposed 2027 county budget and levy were adopted, with a property tax levy set at approximately $55.5 million and a preliminary budget of about $160.7 million. The board also discussed efforts to improve early landowner involvement in drainage projects and acknowledged the challenges posed by increasing mandates and budget pressures.