Concerns over damage caused by drainage work dominated the Kossuth County Board of Supervisors meeting on June 17, 2025, as local farmers presented bills for repairs and cleanup following inadequate project completion.

Bill Walstead detailed a $700 bill for equipment and labor used to level ruts left by contractors who failed to return for necessary follow-up work. He expressed frustration over the impact on his farming operations, stating, “My time and equipment takes a beating.” Alongside this, he submitted an invoice for a tire replacement costing $593.70, attributing the damage to the contractors' negligence.

Another farmer, Michael Walstead, presented a more substantial claim totaling $2,250 for field repairs, including labor and cleanup costs. He questioned whether the county would cover these damages, emphasizing the need for accountability in contractor performance. “We wouldn’t be responsible for payments of damages,” clarified a board member, indicating that the decision would hinge on whether the issues were unavoidable or a result of contractor negligence.

The meeting also highlighted ongoing cleanup efforts, with Mark Reynolds reporting six hours spent picking up debris left in fields, amounting to $180. He criticized the contractors for leaving the site in disarray, which hindered planting this spring. “They just didn’t bother to finish it,” he lamented, underscoring the broader implications of the contractors' incomplete work on local agriculture.

As discussions continued, the board acknowledged the need for clearer communication and accountability from contractors to prevent future issues. The outcome of these claims remains uncertain, but the meeting underscored the significant impact of contractor performance on local farmers and their livelihoods.