The Wright County drainage trustees awarded a contract to Peterson Excavating for open-ditch repairs on Drainage District 62 and approved drainage-related claims and invoices totaling $24,077.82.

County staff solicited quotes from seven contractors and received two bids for the DD62 repair work. Peterson Excavating’s bid offered two price options: $78,358 for an earth-only repair (dirt and seeding) or $82,443 if riprap is required. Another bidder (Hennigars/Henninger Construction) submitted a quote of $126,500. Engineers’ estimates ranged from $80,000 to $100,000.

Trustees voted to award the DD62 contract to Peterson Excavating; the contractor estimated a possible start date of April 1, 2026 (weather permitting) with completion by June 30, 2026. Trustees directed Peterson to coordinate with the landowner about handling removed brush and to notify the board before submitting change orders if additional work is needed.

The board also considered drainage claims and invoices: the trustees reported 40 claims (five carryover and 35 transfers from drainage assessments) totaling $24,077.82 and approved multiple work orders for blowouts and plugged tiles across several drainage districts. Staff presented six invoices for repairs and brush/weed control; one contractor (Soil and Septic LLC) reported field repairs and a $1,965.29 invoice that included a $453.75 filter purchased from Mountain Movers.

Trustees reviewed five incoming work orders that reported multiple blowouts and a plugged intake in several districts; staff will issue orders to perform the necessary repairs and take site photos where needed. For reported emergency tile failures, the trustees authorized repairs and will confirm locations and responsibilities with landowners.

Ending: With the contract awarded and invoices approved, staff will coordinate start dates with Peterson Excavating, finalize required landowner agreements and proceed with scheduled repairs in 2026.