Lake County Drainage Board Meeting – August 19, 2026

The Lake County Drainage Board met on August 19, 2026, at 9:00 AM in the Commissioners Courtroom, following the Advisory Committee meeting at 8:00 AM. The central agenda item was a public hearing on the proposed reconstruction of the Hanover Ditch (a tile drain established in 1886). The board also approved routine financial items, invoices, and contracts. The public hearing was adjourned to the next board meeting on September 16, 2026, with a site visit and additional research ordered.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from July 15, 2026, were not available; no action taken.
• Approved invoices presented under 5C1 ($23,145.68 for levee inspection), 5D2 ($706,048.76 for Hart Ditch stabilization), 5D4 ($2,715.00 final payment for Schoon Ditch), 5D6 ($47,027.08 for Turkey Creek emergency bank repair), 7 (Delta III invoices totaling $33,690.33 for Juvenile Detention Center restoration), 8A1 ($1,209.16 for Hartsdale Pond pumps), 8A2 ($103,875.00 for Turkey Creek lateral obstruction removal), 8A3 and 8B1 ($200.00 each for beaver relocation), and 11A1/11B1 (amendments to on-call services: $30,800 for Burke Engineering, $45,000 for Structure Point).
• Approved the interlocal agreement with the Town of Schererville and Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission for Hartsdale Pond software (County share $35,009.75).
• Authorized the surveyor to award the 2026 Foss Ditch 2-Stage Ditch project contract to Austgen Equipment Inc. (low bid $395,033.00) after review.
• Approved application 523-08-26 (utility crossing under Beaver Dam Ditch Lat #5). All other applications deferred to next month.

Public Comments & Testimony (Hanover Ditch Public Hearing)

• Ron Redens (15949 W 121st Ave, Cedar Lake) opposed the proposed assessment, stating the county highway department channels water from Illinois onto his property, and that the cost is unrealistic for the few property owners who would bear the burden. He argued the county should address the Illinois water inflow before imposing costs.
• Ken Mams (27340 S State Line Rd, 50-year resident) testified that water naturally drained within a day in the 1970s until the road was raised, berms were built, and a ditch filled with debris. He contended the problem was caused by others, including the county, and that the county should share responsibility.
• Brenda Thunhurst (on behalf of mother Melody Oldendorf, 11721 State Line Rd) stated that 30–40 acres of their 175-year family farm have been underwater for the last 30 years, progressively worsening. She noted that the tile was historically maintained by her family, but after the road was raised and a culvert blocked, water backed up. She urged the county to fix the drain.
• Kevin Kleine (12490 W 20th Ave, Cedar Lake) opposed the project, recalling that the Brunswick Conservancy District (2001–2011) would have been mostly state-funded, but a few property owners blocked it. He asked if state grants are still available.
• Paul Fine (12719 W 20th Ave, Cedar Lake) questioned the high cost estimates (e.g., $82,000 for fence removal/reset), the lack of an easement, and the timing of construction. He argued that all 56 property owners in the watershed should share the cost, not just six.
• Denise Redens (15949 W 121st Ave, 40-year resident) expressed strong opposition to the proposed assessment on her 25 acres, stating she cannot afford a $200,000+ share. She described severe flooding (6.5 feet of water over her fence) and said Illinois water, not her berms, is the cause. She pleaded with the board not to close the regulated drain, as it is the only hope for drainage. She noted that a previous court dissolved the conservancy district, and she is now against the current proposal due to cost.
• Jessica (last name unclear) (1265... address) spoke in support of the farmers, arguing that the large assessments would force generational farmers off their land, while water from Illinois is the real problem. She stated that the cost burden should not fall on a few farmers.

Discussion Items

• Surveyor Bill Emerson Jr. presented the Hanover Ditch reconstruction report, detailing the history: the 1886 open ditch was tiled in the 1920s, clay tiles failed over time, spot repairs in the 1990s were insufficient, and a conservancy district (2001–2011) was dissolved. He used ground-penetrating radar and potholing to find blowouts and a low point hampering drainage. He proposed a full replacement with HDPE pipe (estimated life 100 years) and argued that avoiding mitigation with IDEM and Army Corps (due to reconstruction of a regulated drain) saves $1.5–$3 million. He recommended assessing benefits at a 7:1 ratio based on 2005 aerial wet areas, estimating future maintenance at 0.5% of project cost. He acknowledged the high cost to property owners but stressed the benefits, especially for those with standing water.
• Board Chairman Michael Repay and Commissioner Jerry Tippy discussed next steps. They agreed to take the public hearing under advisement, request additional information (including a report on Illinois water impact, legal standing, and potential county/state cost-sharing), and conduct a site visit. They emphasized that no decision would be made at the September 16 meeting, but they would continue gathering evidence.
• Attorney Peter Katic advised that the hearing could be adjourned to a date certain or day-to-day, and that additional written evidence could be filed. The board voted to adjourn the hearing to September 16, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• The public hearing on the Hanover Ditch reconstruction was adjourned to the next Drainage Board meeting on September 16, 2026. The board will accept additional written evidence and will conduct a site visit before making findings.
• The board directed staff to research the impact of Illinois water on the watershed and the county's legal standing regarding that water, and to explore potential county or state cost-sharing options.
• All financial items and contracts were approved by unanimous votes (2–0, with one member absent).
• The next scheduled advisory committee and drainage board meetings are on September 16, 2026, at 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM, respectively.