Commissioners update NDOT road inventory after annexations; 38.66 miles removed from county roster

Boone County commissioners approved sending an updated certified road-inventory letter to the Indiana Department of Transportation to reflect recent annexations, a change that will reduce county-maintained mileage by 38.66 miles.

Why it matters: State funding formulas for motor-vehicle-highway and local roads and streets use certified road mileage as one factor. Removing annexed roads from the county inventory will lower that mileage figure; the county warned that ongoing maintenance obligations for roads in annexed areas will require a memorandum of understanding or interlocal agreement with the annexing municipality if the county is to continue maintaining them.

Transportation staff said the county had not updated its inventory in several years and that annexations, primarily by the city of Lebanon and some smaller changes near Whitestown, created notable differences between the county's map and NDOT records. The staff presentation said some roads currently maintained by the county fall inside annexed areas; once NDOT and the county recertify mileage those segments will no longer be part of Boone County's certified miles unless an interlocal agreement returns them to county maintenance and funding responsibility.

The county staff recommended executing and sending the NDOT certification letter reflecting a net reduction of 38.66 miles. A commissioner moved to approve execution of the letter and the motion carried on a voice vote.

Ending: Staff noted that, after the NDOT update, the county will need to pursue MOUs or interlocal agreements with municipalities if it is to continue maintaining annexed roads and to preserve funding for those segments.