That's why ditch maintenance is a matter for the County Commissioners, paid for by charging the cost to the landowners who benefit. Your cost is calculated by how much land you have and how far it is from the ditch. This is something West Central Ohio farmers have struggled with for generations. But in the case of Pike Run, lots of the folks facing the ditch tax are not farmers, and the assessment, added to their present property tax bill, is a total shock. Pike Run's drainage area includes part of Lima's north side, residential, business and highway property.
Assessments are the traditional way to handle the maintenance of ditches.
Over the years, lots of landowners have argued that there should be a better way. One approach would be to consider drainage a benefit to the entire community and fund it the way we maintain streets and highways, rather than through property assessments. Please include your full name and hometown with your comments. Last week I asked if OhioReads should be evaluated by an Ohio university. Yes, said most of our readers.