Keith County funding request for Lake McConaughey denied by governor; commissioners weigh engineering costs

Commissioner Bridal told the Keith County Board of Commissioners that the governor declined to sign the county's program statement for funds linked to the state's water recreation enhancement account, leaving anticipated state support for Lake McConaughey projects temporarily unavailable. The board discussed next steps, including whether to pause or continue engineering work already under way. The denial came in an email the county received from the deputy director Swinson, Bridal said. The program statement had gone through state administrative review and then to the governor's office for signature, Bridal said, and was rejected at that final step. Bridal said the county understands the state statute allocating $55 million in the water-recreation enhancement fund specifies that one-third is to be spent at Lake McConaughey on infrastructure, including roads, and that the board expects an explanation for the governor's decision. Why it matters: the county has already paid engineering costs and may have more work scheduled; staff reported an engineering cost estimate to date of $142,784. Commissioners said they want to avoid abandoning partial work that would have to be redone if the project is resumed later. Commissioners also discussed whether to continue a reclassification request for Lakeview West while the funding status remains uncertain. Board members directed staff to compile a complete accounting of costs and to ask Senator Stroman and county counsel to seek clarification from the governor's office. Commissioner Bridal said a bill is being prepared by county counsel Lance to document county expenditures to date so taxpayers can see the magnitude of the expense now at risk. Discussion details: commissioners and staff reviewed options including pausing additional spending, advancing to a milestone that would preserve earlier work, or continuing the reclassification request for the Lakeview West portion of the project. Commissioners said they want clarity about the state's rationale for the denial and whether the statute cited (board members referenced "37 18 o 4") means one-third of the $55 million must be spent on Lake McConaughey roads. No formal vote was taken to stop or advance the project; commissioners asked staff to return with cost milestones and recommended next steps. Background: staff said the county's comp plan and related steering-committee work moved to an October draft after staff turnover; that schedule and recent work on chapter 10 (energy and environment) overlap with broader planning decisions affecting Lakeview and other areas. Commissioner Bridal and other members emphasized the county needs a clear explanation from the governor's office and said they will pursue follow-up with Senator Stroman. The board kept the item on the agenda for future discussion and asked staff to prepare milestone cost summaries for the next meeting so the board can decide whether to preserve work already completed or pause further spending.