Merriam Drainage District (MDD)
The Merriam Drainage District (MDD) holds public meetings monthly and makes decisions to preserve the integrity of Turkey Creek in terms of channel maintenance, erosion control and mowing along the banks. MDD has the authority to levy property taxes, just like a city or other public entity, and spends about $200,000 a year to maintain Turkey Creek.
Merriam Drainage District is governed by three board members that are elected every four years. Current Board Members are Eric Jackson, Chairperson, Dan Leap and Sam Matier, Treasurer. MDD has a part-time recording secretary who also acts as the Clerk of the Board and the Freedom of Information Officer for the Drainage District and receives engineering, accounting, and legal advice from paid consultants. Turkey Creek maintenance work is conducted by various firms engaged on a contract basis. Merriam Drainage District works in concert with the Army Corps of Engineers.
Until the Covid-19 epidemic, MDD met in a public location on the first Monday of every month at 7:00 PM. Virtual meetings have replaced in-person meetings at the same time. The virtual meetings will continue until the Covid-19 crisis ends and in-person meetings will replace virtual meetings. The public is always invited to attend. For assistance in attending a virtual meeting, please call Ms. Rebecca Heatwole at 913-303-7395, send an email or send a letter to Merriam Drainage District, P.O. Box 2732, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66201-2732.