Valley County commissioners approved using road-department carryover funds to cover a shortfall on the Abstein bridge replacement project and directed staff to pursue additional EDA funding to avoid net county cost.

County engineering and finance staff told the board the low bidder exceeded the project budget, leaving a shortfall after accounting for the county's local match. County staff reported they had asked the Economic Development Administration for a grant amendment and that the EDA had requested a written county commitment of additional funding for the project before the EDA would take the amendment to its Investment Review Committee.

"Provide us a letter that the county will commit the additional funding for this project only... Once received ... I will make the amendment for additional funding to be reviewed and approved by the Investment Review Committee on October 22," a staff contact at EDA told the county, according to county staff.

Commissioners were told the county carryover balance in the road fund is available and that the county may be required to pay back roughly $180,000 already reimbursed by the EDA if a formal extension or amendment were denied. To avoid delaying construction and losing contractor scheduling, the board voted to commit the additional funding from carryover so construction could proceed while staff continues to seek EDA approval and other reimbursement avenues.

A motion to approve the use of carryover funds (road department carryover) for the project passed unanimously. County staff said if outside funding is secured later the county could repay the road carryover appropriation.

Speakers in the discussion included county finance and road staff and commissioners. The action obligates county carryover funds but does not create a new ongoing appropriation; staff will provide the EDA documentation and will pursue LTAC and other grant funding as available.