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Polk County residents press court over unmaintained roads and record discrepancies
Summary
Multiple residents of Lake Livingston Estates, Gilpin Cove and other neighborhoods told the Polk County Commissioners Court that potholes, unmaintained roads and apparent discrepancies in county road records are delaying repairs and stretching limited maintenance funds.
Several Polk County residents used the public‑comment period at the May 13 Polk County Commissioners Court meeting to press commissioners for faster road repairs and to report apparent discrepancies between county maintenance records and previously approved road additions.
Terry Register, who identified himself as a homeowner in Lake Livingston Estates Sections 4 and 5, told the court the neighborhood had met with County staff about needed road repairs and that he had reviewed county records and commission minutes and found roads previously approved for county maintenance still listed as private. “When I saw what I think are discrepancies, that concerned me,” Register said, and he asked the court to review the county’s records.
Judge Murphy and county staff invited Register to submit the Excel workbook and specific locations for review and directed him to 911 addressing to obtain the county’s most current maintenance listing. Judge Murphy said that updates to the county’s records usually come through commissioners when they recognize changes in road length or status and told Register, “If you will send that information to us, then we will make sure wherever you see the discrepancies…we will take a look at them.”
Other commenters from precinct 2 and nearby neighborhoods described potholes, damaged drainage ditches and roads that have not been repaired since the April 2020 tornado. One speaker representing Gilpin Cove POA said residents had been asked to split repair costs 60/40 for roads they believe the county should maintain.
Commissioners and staff did not adopt a formal policy at the meeting but repeatedly directed residents to provide specific road names and documentation so staff and precinct commissioners could reconcile the county’s maintenance inventory and prioritize repairs. The court also noted a correction for additions/lengthening of county roads appeared on the agenda that day.
The court did not set a specific timeline for repairs in the comments recorded on the transcript; staff and the affected precinct commissioner were directed to follow up with residents and examine work orders and the 911‑addressing list to reconcile any discrepancies.
