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Brookings County approves amendments to DOT bridge grants to speed up state disbursements
Summary
The commission approved four amendments to earlier bridge improvement grants so the state can disburse most of the county’s awarded funds earlier; projects were originally awarded in 2021 and some will not complete until 2025–2027.
Brookings County commissioners approved a series of amendments to Department of Transportation (DOT) bridge improvement grant agreements that change how and when the state will disburse funds for multiple local bridge projects.
County staff said the DOT has altered its disbursement process for bridge grants awarded in 2021. Under the amended agreements the DOT will distribute 75% of the county’s originally awarded share up front for several projects rather than waiting until project completion, county staff said during the meeting.
The commission approved four separate amendment items, identified in the meeting as amendments to county agreements 21-40, 21-41, 22-36 and 22-37 (recorded in the agenda as agreements 25-01 through 25-04). Staff said two of the projects were already bid and have contractors in place; the two remaining amendments cover projects not yet bid. For one bid project (agreement 21-40), the county noted a 60/40 cost share and said the state will disburse 75% of the county’s 40% portion sooner. For another (agreement 21-41), staff described the original cost share as a 50/50 split and said the amended arrangement likewise accelerates an agreed portion of the county share.
County staff told commissioners the projects that have been bid are expected to be substantially complete by Nov. 1, 2025, and that some projects will likely not close out until 2026. For projects not yet bid, staff said bids and completion are expected later (staff estimated some work could be completed as late as 2027). To address budget timing, county finance staff said the county will not pre-budget the highway funds for these projects; instead, when amended funds are received the county will post an automatic supplement to the highway budget and begin paying contractor invoices.
Commissioners asked for clarifications on completion dates, cost shares and whether the county would receive funds before contractors begin work. Staff confirmed the DOT will release a substantial portion of the county’s share earlier under the amended agreements, while retaining a portion until final completion.
All four amendment motions were approved by recorded roll-call votes during the meeting.
