HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – The Hill County Commission convened with Jeremiah Theys of Great West Engineering and Susan Brurud of Bear Paw Development on Friday to discuss the project that will provide necessary repairs to the Milk River Levee.
The survey of the levee is identifying and verifying encroachments and is expected to be concluded by the end of October. One home has been confirmed to be encroaching on the levee, and the Commission has already started conversations with the property owner to rectify the situation.
Other encroachments, such as fences, will be dealt with once the survey is completed.
Theys presented the Commission with a map of the proposed boundaries for a new Special Improvement District, all of which is inside the flood plain and is directly benefited by the levee. This is larger than the current RSID 10, which will be disbanded once the new District is created.
The new District includes 1,063 parcels of land, but some of which, including the County Courthouse and other government buildings, are exempt from having to pay taxes for being in the District.
Deficiencies need to be dealt with within the next 5-7 years at most to remain in compliance and prevent much of Havre from being in a floodplain, which would require costly flood insurance.
The levee protects critical facilities, interstate commerce, the BNSF storm water system, and scores of businesses and homes in and around Havre.
Two meetings to discuss the project have been tentatively set. The Hill County Commission is scheduled to meet with Officials from the City of Havre on Monday, September 20th at 3 PM in the Timmons Room of the Courthouse, and a public meeting will take place on the 21st at 7 PM at the Chuckwagon at the Fairgrounds.
Much of the funding will likely be provided through COVID relief funds and grants, but taxpayers may be on the hook for some of the funds.
Hill County is hoping to have the new District created by the end of the calendar year so that it can be assessed taxes next year.
