NEW ULM — Brown County Commissioners unanimously established 2023 ditch assessments and establish interest rates at 4% Tuesday.

Action came on a motion by Commissioner Dean Simonsen, seconded by Scott Windschitl. No public comments were heard.

Total assessments for 10 drainage systems are set at $190,000. They include CD02 $9,000; CD 35 $6,000; CD67 $26,000; CD68 $59,000; CD69 $8,000; CD70 $10,000; JD14 B-W $14,000; JD29 B-W $14,000; JD48 BE-B-W $7,000; and Main B CD24 $11,000.

Brown County Auditor/Treasurer Kelly Hotovec said none of the affected ditches were assessed last year.

“It looks normal,” Commissioner Simonsen said.

The 4% interest rate will accrue on ditch assessments beginning Jan. 1, 2023. Approved assessments will be mailed to owners of affected parcels.

Bills will be sent to all landowners allowing for a prepayment option until Dec. 31, 2022. Unpaid assessments would be applied to the 2023 tax statement, unless a landowner requests a 3-year lien, which is available on assessments greater than $1,000.

Commissioners unanimously awarded a contract to Rickert Excavating to clean out 22,800 feet of JD 29 in Prairieville Township, motion by Simonsen, seconded by Tony Berg.

Rickert Excavating bid $26,220 and Walters Excavating $31,920 for the project. The joint ditch authority recommended the low bid.

Quotes were requested from nine contractors. The project is scheduled to be completed by April 1, 2023.

(Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).