County engineer presents DOT-formatted budget and five‑year road program; major bridge projects rely on federal grants

John Rasmussen, Pottawattamie County engineer, presented the county’s Department of Transportation budget in the DOT format and outlined the county’s five‑year program of road and bridge projects.

Rasmussen said the DOT‑formatted budget uses the carryover balance and revenue categories required by the state DOT. He reported an expected year‑end carryover balance and described revenue lines including property tax and local option sales tax (Rasmussen said local option sales tax was budgeted at about $3 million and that the county is currently about 9% ahead this year). He also described a federal bridge replacement reimbursement anticipated to cover a Boomer Township bridge project; Rasmussen said the county expects federal aid reimbursement on that work.

Rasmussen walked the board through the five‑year program map and identified several larger projects the county intends to pursue, some contingent on outside funding: the Tamarack resurfacing segment, the L34 reconstruction, G30 resurfacing, and the Tri‑Merritt Road overpass project tied to a RAISE grant and design alternatives (including an at‑grade option and an overpass alternative). He said several projects are currently illustrative and unfunded; the county will pursue federal grants where possible and otherwise save local funds to complete major reconstructions. Rasmussen noted a reporting change: the county is shifting some material purchases into inventory to smooth year‑to‑year reporting.

Board members asked for more user‑friendly map materials that show estimated costs for projects in current dollars and for clearer labeling of grant‑funded versus locally funded projects. Rasmussen said he would add cost estimates to the map and return with an updated, printable packet for board review and approval next year.

Why it matters: The five‑year program sets priorities for road resurfacing, bridge replacements and major reconstructions that affect travel, safety and county capital spending. Projects that rely on federal grants require advance design and environmental work before construction funding is awarded.

What’s next: Rasmussen will update the map to include estimated current‑dollar costs and clearer funding labels and return the program for further board consideration and possible reprogramming if funding allows. The board’s DOT program and pairings with federal grants must be finalized ahead of state deadlines.

Ending: Supervisors asked staff to provide cost estimates and a more accessible map; the county will continue to pursue federal grants and to allocate local funds where grants are not available.