Highway department seeks modest levy increases as county engineer presses for preserved arterial access

Boone County Highway Department staff presented levy proposals and explained how the department’s funding structure supports road maintenance, bridges and grant matching.

Highway Director Justin Kron (presenting as county engineer) said the highway fund supports daily operations — maintainers, winter operations, fuel and equipment — and proposed a 2.78% levy increase for the highway fund to help offset inflation. The bridge fund, shared between county and townships, showed a proposed 3.13% increase to sustain an anticipated bridge construction program over the next five years. The department proposed holding the matching fund levy steady.

Engineering context and access planning: Kron and other staff emphasized the bridge fund’s sensitivity to grant timing and noted a backlog of bridge projects now moving from design to construction. In the discussion of a separate solar‑permit item, Kron said county staff had long‑range plans identifying a single US‑20 access point between Shaw Road and the county line; he urged the developer to preserve right‑of‑way alignments so future arterial connections follow regional plans rather than cutting through residential streets.

Budget totals and process: Highway staff noted motor fuel tax and grant activity also feed resurfacing and bridge programs, and proposed overall levies produced a modest net decrease in the combined county levy percentage in their submission for FY2026. Board members thanked staff for grant work and asked to balance highway and bridge priorities during upcoming budget decisions.

Ending: No formal levy vote occurred at the committee meeting; the department’s proposal will be incorporated into the county budget process.