The Christian County Commission authorized county highway staff to use up to $115,000 from the county’s emergency fund to pay for immediate repairs to roads damaged during Memorial Day weekend storms.

A highway official told the commission the current estimate for repairs is about $220,000; roughly half of that amount is equipment and labor the county absorbs. The official said that if a federal emergency declaration is made, some costs could be reimbursable to the county through FEMA.

"We are estimated, right now to be about $220,000 worth of repairs. Now half of that is our equipment and labor, which is absorbed by us. However, if we did have a FEMA declaration, that would be reimbursable expenses," the highway official said.

The county asked for an expenditure cap rather than a precise contract amount because bids for some repairs were not yet obtained. Commissioners approved the motion to allow the use of emergency funds with a cap of $115,000; staff said any additional funds beyond that cap would require returning to the commission.

Why it matters: The repairs include materials such as base rock, pavement repairs and armoring to restore roads; the emergency allocation is intended to let crews repair critical damage quickly rather than delay until formal bidding. Commissioners emphasized that using emergency funds will not displace planned road-maintenance projects scheduled for 2025.

Commissioners asked staff to confirm that the emergency spending would not affect other scheduled maintenance projects. Staff indicated the approved emergency draw would not change the existing list of planned 2025 road repairs and that the county will continue its planned projects.

The commission approved the emergency fund authorization by voice vote. Commissioners thanked the highway crews for their post-storm work and asked staff to advise the commission if additional funds will be required.

Ending: Staff will proceed with emergency repairs under the $115,000 cap and will return to the commission if bids or additional needs push costs beyond that amount.