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Board commits 20% local match for archaeology and architectural review on CSAH 29 extension
Summary
Benton County approved a resolution to provide a 20% local match ($17,163.40) for required architectural and archaeological studies tied to federal funding for the County State-Aid Highway 29 extension project.
Benton County commissioners on May 20 approved a resolution committing a 20% local match of $17,163.40 to fund updated archaeological and architectural-history consulting required for the CSAH 29 extension project.
County staff said the project is subject to federal review because of a federal earmark. As part of design updates and federal compliance, consultants must update older environmental documents and complete an architectural history review and an archaeological study (test pits and artifact assessment) for properties and features over 50 years old. Staff said some earlier documents dated to 2007, and the state cultural resources unit required updated work.
The total cost of those consultant services was estimated with state aid paying up to 80% of the expense; the county’s 20% share is $17,163.40. Staff said the county had remaining engineering funds in the capital projects fund that would cover the match.
Commissioners discussed whether similar work had been required on prior projects and the timeline, and then approved a resolution committing the match and authorizing the county chair to sign the agreement with MnDOT to secure the state funding and consultant work. Staff said, if adopted, consultants could be on site as early as the following month.
The board and staff emphasized that the archaeology and architectural review are federal/state compliance steps tied to the federal grant and not discretionary county tasks.
