The Scott County Board on Oct. 21 adopted Resolution No. 2025‑251 authorizing a maintenance lien for Scott County Drainage Ditch Number 13 (CD13) to build a positive balance before a proposed transfer to the Prior Lake–Spring Lake Watershed District (PLSLWD).

Staff said the county has averaged about $20,000 per year in maintenance expenditures on CD13 and reported a current fund balance of $33,660.11. To provide the watershed district roughly three years of maintenance working capital on transfer, staff recommended assessing benefited owners approximately $28,000 so CD13 would have about $60,000 when transferred.

Nut graf: The proposed transfer of CD13 to the watershed district is governed under watershed law (103D). The watershed district told county staff it would accept the ditch subject to receiving a positive fund balance and certain approvals from affected townships and the city; county staff therefore requested an assessment to raise the balance to the level the district requested.

Background and vote

Staff said PLSLWD adopted a resolution on July 15 indicating willingness to accept transfer with contingencies, including receiving the maintenance fund and approval from Sand Creek and Spring Lake townships and the City of Prior Lake. Staff reported those townships approved the transfer in their meetings and said the city has indicated approval though formal resolutions from the city and the district are outstanding.

A motion to adopt resolution 2025‑251 authorizing a maintenance lien on CD13 was moved and seconded; the motion passed on an affirmative voice vote. Staff will assess benefited owners the recommended amount, subject to the petition and final transfer procedures.

Ending note

Staff said two parcels presently benefiting from CD13 fall outside the watershed boundaries and the watershed district’s engineer will review whether and how to include those parcels in its future benefits roll. The transfer will proceed under watershed law (Minn. Stat. 103D.625) if the district files a petition to accept the ditch.