Ashland County highway committee considers countywide bridge-aid levy and emergency fund

The Ashland County Highway Committee on Monday reviewed a draft county bridge-aid policy that would create a countywide levy to fund town bridge and large-culvert repairs and set up a dedicated emergency fund. The draft proposes an annual application process and a draft cap of $100,000 per project; a separate emergency request process would allow towns to apply outside the normal cycle. Highway Commissioner Matt said, “My draft has a $100,000 cap,” and described an “entitlement” spreadsheet to track each town’s balance and priority for funding. The proposal matters because county officials said there are no other reliable local funding sources for short‑notice replacements — for example, Matt described a recent near‑failing pair of culverts he estimated could cost “probably a 50 to $80,000 project.” Under the draft, the county would collect the levy centrally and set the money aside in a non‑lapsing fund restricted to bridge aid. Committee discussion covered how projects would be prioritized and how the levy affects town taxpayers. Matt described a mock four‑year spreadsheet that ranks towns by accumulated entitlement and noted that the committee would still decide individual awards. Gary Vitek asked how the committee would handle competing requests; Matt said priority would follow the entitlement balances but final decisions remain with the committee. Committee members and staff discussed timing and outreach. Matt said he will take the draft to town boards and recommended a joint meeting so “they’re hearing the same thing.” Because the county budget publication schedule is tight, multiple speakers said implementation this year is unlikely; Matt and other members expected the earliest practical start would be for the 2027 tax year if towns approve and county bodies also sign off. Matt noted villages may opt in under state law, but cities cannot. On permanence, Matt said explicitly, “They’re in it permanently, and the county’s in it permanently,” reflecting statutory limits the committee discussed. Next steps: the committee scheduled further town outreach and agreed to return the draft for committee editing at a future meeting. Committee members asked Matt to present the draft to town boards and to bring a revised policy back for committee review and potential referral to finance and the county board.