Latest news with #EatonCountyCommunications
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Eaton commissioners deadlock on vote to fill vacant seat, will fund special election
CHARLOTTE — Voters will fill a vacant seat on the Eaton County Board of Commissioners after the 14-member board failed to appoint someone to replace former Commissioner Tim Barnes last week. The board's impasse leaves voters from District 1, which includes Sunfield, Roxand, Vermontville, and Chester townships, to decide the seat. A primary will be held in August and the seat will be decided in a November special election, a news release from Eaton County said. The move will cost the county an estimated $28,000, Eaton County Communications Director Logan Bailey said. The announcement comes nearly a month after Barnes, R-Roxand Township, resigned from his District 1 seat, a four-year term, in mid-January for "personal reasons." Barnes resigned after being re-elected to the commission in the November election, leaving the board without a majority. Currently, there are seven Republicans and seven Democrats on the board. The commission had 30 days to fill the vacant seat, according to the county's news release. At a Feb. 6 meeting the Board of Commissioners cast a split vote between two candidates, one from each party, resulting in a hung vote, Bailey said. Residents in District 1 interested in running for the vacant seat have until 4 p.m. on April 22 to file nominating petitions and an affidavit of identity with the Eaton County Clerk's Office, located at 1045 Independence Blvd. in Charlotte. "Requirements for signature petitions to run for the position are a minimum of 3 and a Maximum of 10, but individuals may file a non-refundable $100 fee in lieu of filing petitions," the release said. "A Campaign Finance 'Statement of Organization' form will also be due." Whoever is elected to the District 1 seat will serve through 2026. Contact Reporter Rachel Greco at rgreco@ Follow her on X @GrecoatLSJ . This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Eaton commissioners deadlock on vote to fill vacant seat, will fund special election
