Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Road Maintenance Lfi Private Roads topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Road and Bridge outlines spring work plan; explains LFI, private‑road limits and public request process
Summary
Road and Bridge described grading, sweeping, chip sealing plans and a process for local funded improvements (LFI). Staff clarified the county will not provide materials or services for private roads and explained options for residents seeking improvements.
Bonner County Road and Bridge staff described spring grading, sweeping and paving plans and explained options for residents asking whether the county will supply mag chloride or maintain private roads.
Staff said winter equipment conversions are nearly complete, several roads were opened that morning, and crews will continue grading, ditching and culvert cleaning before chip sealing and paving projects later in the season. “We did open up a bunch of roads this morning,” a district supervisor said; staff added they expect to begin paving Center Valley roads when conditions allow.
During the public‑comment portion Road and Bridge staff read an emailed question asking whether a neighborhood could partner with the county to purchase mag chloride for a private road. Jason explained the county will not buy materials or perform work on private roads or privately maintained public roads. Instead, he described the Local Funded Improvement (LFI) option for roads the county does maintain: a community can pay for materials and the county will apply them on a county‑maintained road. “LFI stands for Local Funded Improvement Plan,” Jason said. He cited Wooded Acres as an example where residents funded the oil, chips and gravel and the county performed work at its internal cost rate.
Staff also described options for privately maintained public roads and local improvement districts (LIDs) that would assess participating properties through taxes; staff said LIDs rarely succeed because a single dissenting property owner can block formation. Road and Bridge staff cautioned about liability and non‑compete rules: the county will not provide services on private roads and said there are legal and insurance issues with operating county vehicles on private property.
Staff said they will provide additional information to the resident who emailed the question and noted a Zoom meeting scheduled with Broken Arrow Road residents to discuss maintenance options.
Ending: Road and Bridge staff listed next steps for residents: contact Road and Bridge for details about LFI cost estimates or consider forming an LID; staff will follow up with the public commenter and meet with Broken Arrow Road neighbors.
