TALK MIDLAND w/ Logan Richetti
A podcast with a mission to promote small businesses in the Midland, Michigan community. The show is hosted by Logan Richetti, the managing broker of Modern Realty, the largest real estate brokerage in Midland. He has a passion for supporting small business leaders in our area, and this podcast is a spotlight for their stories. Follow along to learn more as we #talkmidland.
TALK MIDLAND w/ Logan Richetti
The Decisions You Never See: How Drainage, Infrastructure, and Taxes Really Work in Midland | #71
If you own property in Midland County, this conversation affects you — whether you realize it or not.
Logan Richetti sits down with Joe Sova, Midland County Drain Commissioner, to explain how drainage and infrastructure decisions are actually made, why some projects take years, and how those decisions show up on tax bills across the county.
Joe draws on decades of hands-on experience in excavation, utilities, and public service to break down how century-old drain systems still shape modern development, how maintenance differs from full drain petitions, and why transparency matters when residents are paying the full cost.
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Show Notes & Chapters
00:00 – Why Speed and Efficiency Matter in Public Projects
How timelines affect cost, contractors, and residents
04:15 – Joe Sova’s Background and Family Roots in Excavation
Growing up around infrastructure work in Midland and Saginaw
09:30 – Leaving the Family Business and Finding a New Path
Why Joe pursued finance, accounting, and public service
15:45 – From Utilities to Public Leadership
Joe’s time with the City of Midland and managing large budgets
22:30 – The Moment the Drain Commissioner Role Clicked
Why this job felt like a full-circle opportunity
27:50 – What the Drain Commissioner Actually Oversees
Why the role is about more than just “drains”
33:40 – How Michigan Was Built to Drain Water
The history of county drains and why they still matter
39:20 – Drainage Districts, Watersheds, and Special Assessments
How areas are defined and who pays for what
45:10 – Maintenance vs. Full Drain Petitions
Why some projects take years instead of weeks
51:30 – Public Hearings and the Board of Determination
Who votes, who decides, and what “necessary” really means
58:40 – How Costs Are Apportioned Fairly
Joe’s data-driven approach to assessments and transparency
1:05:20 – Why Every Drain Will Eventually Need Work
Long-term thinking and infrastructure reality
1:10:45 – Communication Gaps Between Cities and Counties
How decades-old disconnects still affect development today
1:16:30 – Why Leadership Matters When Residents Foot the Bill
Balancing efficiency, fairness, and public trust
🔑 Keywords
Joe Sova, Talk Midland Podcast, Midland County Drain Commissioner, Midland MI infrastructure, Midland County drainage, Special assessments Michigan, Local government Midland MI, Public infrastructure Michigan, Drainage districts, Property taxes Midland MI, Local leadership Midland, County drains Michigan, Infrastructure maintenance, Midland County government, Community transparency