10-04-2025
People receive tax estimates for $60 million drain project
DELTA TOWNSHIP Mich. (WLNS) – Officials are calling it one of largest drain projects in Mid-Michigan ever, and it's not going to be cheap.
A huge drain project in Delta Township is getting mixed reactions from people living there. It's called the Bank Intercounty Drain Project.
The $60 million plan will replace the Bank Intercounty Drain system. The system is mainly in Eaton County, but there is a small section in Ingham County.
Price assessments were recently sent out to people who own homes that will be affected by the project.
Some people, like Delta Township resident Michael Karl, learned that it's looking like they'll have to pay more than $10,000.
'This is like a township tariff, I feel like I'm getting my own tariff,' said Karl.
Karl has lived in his Delta Township home for 6 years, and he said flooding has been a consistent problem.
'Just about every year, there's a flood. My basement has been punished since I bought it,' said Karl.
Officials said that flooding is because the drainage system in the area is from the 1800s. While Karl wants the flooding to stop, he said he cannot get behind the more than $12,000 assessment that officials estimate he will have to pay.
'Especially the trying times that we have, people are losing their retirement now, the stock market.' Karl continued, 'Where are we going to come up with this extra money?'
6 News spoke with multiple neighbors. Some agreed with Karl that they do not want to pay. Others said they were ready to pay, hoping this drain project would solve their flooding problems.
The Eaton County Communications Director, Logan Bailey, understands that this payment is coming during a hard economic time.
'This project has not come at the best time for us either, there's not much we can do now, the drain code is written as it is. The work has to get done, and that's what's happening,' said Bailey.
According to officials, this Bank Intercounty Drain covers a little less than 1,000 acres in Eaton and Ingham counties. The project is set to start in the summer, and it's expected to finish in 2029. It will replace pipes and construct a better drainage system, leading to less flooding.
'Eaton County was able to secure $5 million from the State to try and take off money from the top. We are continuing to apply and lobby for more to try and relieve some of the burden from these residents,' Bailey said.
The rest of the $55 million will come from Eaton and Ingham Counties, Delta Township, and around 1,900 property owners. Assessments for those property owners are based off of property size and how the property affects the drain. Officials said assessments could change, but as of now, people have until May 9th to decide if they will pay up front or pay over 30 years with a 6% interest rate.
'Everyone is trying to figure out how they're going to pay for this,' said Bailey.
Back to Michael Karl, who said he was surprised by his assessment. Karl hopes there can be more transparency about this project from officials, considering the high price tag. Karl said he doesn't mind paying his fair share as long as it's fair.
'Did we plan on this?' Karl continued, 'Can we do better next time?'
Officials from both Eaton and Ingham Counties said there are still a lot of moving parts in figuring out where the money will come from within the municipalities. If people have questions about the drain project or their assessment, they can reach out to Eaton County Communications. Because the Eaton County Drain Commissioner lives in the area where the drain project is happening, he recused himself and is not a part of these decisions.
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