Fall River County tables approach permit, approves equipment purchases and pursues culvert grant funds
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Summary
The commission tabled a large set of approach permits for further review, approved purchases of a tracked excavator and implements, and discussed using state RACE program funds to repair culverts on secondary roads (80% cost share).
The Fall River County Board of Commissioners tabled action on a packaged set of approach permits and approved multiple highway department purchases and funding steps after a lengthy presentation from Tony March, the county highway superintendent.
Tony March asked commissioners to delay the approach-permit approvals so the highway department could confirm whether the listed approaches are inside subdivision boundaries and therefore outside county right-of-way jurisdiction. Commissioners voted to table the item and asked staff to invite the applicant or a project representative to the next meeting to clarify whether the approaches affect county right of ways.
March also presented quotes for equipment. The board approved purchase of a tracked excavator (described in the meeting as a trackhoe with a pivoting front arm and blade) to replace aging machinery; the purchase is an added piece of equipment for now, with a plan to sell the older backhoe if a viable buyer is found. Commissioners also approved purchasing a road-ranger implement and other implements described as helping with culvert and drainage work.
March described the RACE program and said the county has about 49 eligible culverts on secondary roads; the RACE program offers an 80% cost-share for eligible culvert repairs. March told the board there is roughly $100,000 identified for culvert work in county planning documents and that eligible projects could utilize the RACE funds to reduce the county’s reserve drawdown.
The county also approved renewing an agreement with the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks to share a $22,000 project on Sheps (Chep's) Canyon; the state will pay half of the work, and the county expects to invoice a portion that had not been billed last year.
Commissioners directed staff to invite the permit applicant back and to return with recommendations on which gravel bids/options are best for county roads. Commissioners asked Tony to prepare a recommendation for the next meeting after reviewing material quality and project fit.
Where specific dollar figures were discussed, they were presented as vendor quotes (per-ton gravel quotes) or described qualitatively in the meeting; the board did not read a single consolidated contract number into the record during this discussion.