The Public Works and Transportation Committee voted Oct. 8 to approve the fall 2025 Adopt‑a‑Highway program and discussed proposed changes to streamline the program’s sign-up process.

County staff reported the program is 79% adopted for the fall cycle; 33 groups renewed and 13 new groups signed up. The current process requires committee approval of the formal list twice a year (spring and fall), though staff said groups may register online year-round and perform cleanups prior to committee approval.

Shane Schneider explained the county’s maintenance crew can collect trash bags year‑round and that staff had heard feedback from potential volunteers who did not want to wait to begin work. He presented an option to amend the county’s adopt‑a‑highway ordinance to permit real-time signups or more frequent approvals, such as monthly consent‑agenda additions.

Members voiced support for reducing red tape but raised checks to avoid placing offensive or inappropriate names on roadside signs. “There are some parameters that are in the ordinance… it can’t be offensive,” a committee member said. Committee members suggested options including staff vetting with an annual report to the committee, conditional approvals pending committee review, or placing new signups on the consent agenda more frequently.

Outcome: The committee approved the fall Adopt‑a‑Highway list and directed staff to return with options to streamline the ordinance and approval process.