SWANTON, Ohio — Homeowners from Henry, Fulton and Lucas County got the chance to ask some questions Tuesday after getting a surprise bill for watershed cleanup.
The Lucas County Engineer's Office says they must clean up ditches in the area to help with flooding. The county's looking to taxpayers to help pay for it.
"Look behind me," Lucas County resident Sherry Hawkins said while pointing at a crowd of people ready for a community meeting at the Swanton Public Library. "How many people are upset about this? Nobody can afford it."
Hawkins is just one of many people trying to get answers after they were notified of the billing by mail, showing how much they'll need to pay each year to fix the Swan Creek watershed.
"Not only did they mail us once, but they mailed us a second card in the mail, five days later and the prices were almost doubled," Hawkins said. "So next year, are they going to double again?"
Lucas County Engineer Mike Pniewski said that won't be the case, though. Some people thought the price they would have to pay would be in the thousands.
"I got this first notice for $19,000 two weeks ago then last week I got this for $23,000 as a correction," said Monclova resident Phil Martin.
But Pniewski said he won't be paying that amount. In fact, he said most people will be paying smaller bills each year; typically, $30 an acre.
"As the initial work that we're proposing is completed, it will go down significantly," Pniewski said.
He said this work has to be done sooner than later or it'll cost everyone more.
"We'll just have more flooding, more lack of drainage, more roadways that won't drain properly and function and have more issues as we get more rainfall from climate change," Pniewski said.
But some aren't convinced and want to find a way to get out of paying.
"I'm telling everybody here, we should ban together and get a lawyer," Hawkins said.
Another community meeting will be held on July 30 from 4-8 p.m. at the Whitehouse Village Hall.
Commissioners from Lucas, Henry and Fulton counties plan to form a joint commission to make a final decision. That decision is expected to be announced at the Aug. 6 Lucas County Board of Commissioners' meeting.