The Ward County Board of Commissioners agreed Friday to serve as the "pass-through agent" for the Ward County Water Resource Board if it receives a $3 million federal grant to pay for construction of a flood control project for Puppy Dog Coulee.
Emily Huettl of Ackerman Estvold Engineering, the board's engineer, said regulations don't allow the water resource board to apply for the grant itself, so the commission will do so on its behalf with the understanding that the water resource board will be responsible for the 15 percent cost share. The cost share adds up to about $444,796 for the water resource board.
Huettl described the proposed project as a highwater bypass channel that would be located near Eastside Estates.
Ward County Auditor Devra Smestad said the Federal Emergency Management Agency would pay for 75 percent of the grant and the state's share would be 10 percent, with the water board responsible for the remainder.
Water resource board members gave unanimous approval for the application. One member said that the county has a number of other projects to address and the grant money would be helpful if it is received.
The board also approved 4-1 a contract for a drainage improvement project at Whispering Meadows/Countryside Villas, east of 55th Street. Board member John Pietsch voted against the project, citing concerns about alterations that would have to be made to the original bid because of water lines that are located in the area. Huettl said minor adjustments to the project can be made and it should not end up costing more than was originally bid.
The Ward County Water Resource Board members are Pietsch, Gary Neshem, Tom Klein, Maurice Floey and Gordon Krueger.