Osceola County board members spent a substantial portion of the meeting reviewing balances and recent expenses for multiple drainage districts and set target balances and assessments to be formalized by a future resolution.

Staff presented accounting summaries showing several districts in the red and others with positive balances. The board discussed individual districts (referred to as Joint 1, Joint 2, Joint 3, Joint 6, DD 9, DD 10, DD 11, DD 28, DD 30, DD 39 and DD 43 lateral 2 among others). For example, Joint 1 was discussed as previously carrying a $20,000 target balance; after debate the board agreed to reduce the target to $17,500. Joint 2’s target balance was set at $35,000 and Joint 6 at $24,000. The board also discussed DD 43 lateral 2 (the Feldcamp petition) and designated an assessment of $12,000 to that district. For several other districts staff recommended balances and the board gave direction on target amounts (examples: DD 10, DD 11, DD 28, DD 30, with proposed balances discussed during the meeting).

Board members considered whether to hold separate meetings or involve legal counsel for drainage ditches with outstanding waivers; they discussed the county’s limited ability to reimburse 50% while waivers remain outstanding and the use of stamped warrants (6% interest) where funds are insufficient. One board member asked whether additional historical expense reports could be prepared to inform future assessments; staff noted drainage accounting does not update like regular accounting and historical data is limited.

The board directed staff to prepare a resolution formalizing the assessments and balances discussed and said that resolution would appear on a future agenda for approval. No formal resolution or vote adopting the new assessments occurred at this meeting; instead the board provided direction to staff and set target balances to be included in a forthcoming resolution.