Spirit Lake, Iowa (NorthwestIowaNow.com) – Dickinson County is calling in outside experts to break a gridlock with a local neighborhood association over a blocked drainage pipe.

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to hire an independent engineering firm to investigate a drainage issue running through the Harbor neighborhood.

The neighborhood’s homeowners association maintains there is no blockage, but their attorney invited the county to hire an independent engineer to meet with their own engineer.

County Attorney John Engel says bringing in an outside expert is the only way to get the definitive proof needed to move the issue forward.

County officials say having an independent engineer verify the blockage ensures the county has solid evidence if the dispute eventually ends up in court.