Toussaint Creek Petition Frequently Asked Questions

• Question: I just received a letter today for the Toussaint Creek Petition Project, do I have to pay today?

Answer: No, a final assessment will be made upon completion of the project and will be due at the time or will be attached to the parcels property taxes.

• Question: How many times will I be charged this amount?

Answer: This will be a one time cost.  Future maintenance will generally be assessed at a much lower amount based on work needed.

• Question: Why am I receiving this letter?

Answer: Each parcel owner who is in the Toussaint watershed has land that drains to the Toussaint eventually.  By nature of your location, you are in the watershed and part of the project.

• Question: What is a watershed?

Answer:  A watershed is the area of land where all of the water that falls on to the land drains off and goes to a common outlet or area, in this situation it is the Toussaint. Find out more about watersheds here.

• Question: How was the watershed determined?

Answer: Staff members reviewed Ohio EPA and US Geological watershed boundary maps.  Current ditch maintenance maps and other known drainage maps were also utilized.

• Question: Will equipment be on my property?

Answer: The contractors equipment will only be on the parcels that are directly along the creek during removal of log jams and dead trees.

• Question: What will happen if I don't pay my assessment?

Answer: If you choose to not pay your final assessment, the cost on the final assessment sheet will be added to your property taxes.  It most likely will be spread over a number of property tax collections with interest.

• Question: Statement included in letter: "First years assessment of 10% of the parcels total construction costs will be collected upon completion of the project"

Answer: The 10% that will be collected will be 10% of your total amount due from your parcel(s). As an example if your assessment is $25.00 you will pay an addition $2.50 to the maintenance account that will care for the Toussaint in the future. 

• Question: Can My assessment change?

Answer: The assessment that you received is an estimate at this time, a final assessment will be sent to your legal address after competition of the project, however the cost will never increase from original assessment.

• Question: I am against the project, is there anything I can do to stop the project from continuing?

Answer: Notice was sent to parcels identified as part of the potential project in the fall of 2014.  A public viewing and hearing was held in early 2015.  At those times the public had the opportunity to object to the project.  The Joint Board of Soil and Water Supervisors and now the Joint Board of Commissioners voted to move the project forward.  At this time, you may write a letter of objection to the estimated assessment that you received, to your County Commissioners, prior to January 31, 2016 to be taken into consideration. 

• Question: I don't think my land is in the Toussaint watershed.... OR ...you have my acreage wrong.

Answer: Write a letter of objection to your County Commissioners by January 31, 2016.  Your property may very well not be in the watershed or has an incorrect acreage.  We will review those and make corrections if warranted.

If you have a question that was not answered here, please contact 419-898-1595.