Public works staff told the Columbia County Board of Commissioners that the Kellogg Hollow phase of the Kellogg Road pavement preservation program will be converted from a locally funded pavement‑preservation project to a federally funded project. As a result the county must restart right‑of‑way acquisition and perform a new environmental review; staff said they expect to obligate about $1,400,000 in federal funds for the project’s federal portion and to obligate county design money for pavement preservation.

The county adopted Resolution 2025‑1, the six‑year transportation and pavement preservation plan, during the meeting. Staff explained the federalization decision reflects timing and matching‑fund constraints: the county was unable to secure necessary right‑of‑way within the time required to meet state advance‑fund deadlines, and county staff said using federal funds will allow federal/state matching to cover a portion of costs. Staff also said the decision will delay construction timing and require renewed outreach to property owners for right‑of‑way acquisitions.

Public works staff described several practical consequences discussed at the meeting: right‑of‑way acquisition will likely require re‑contacting owners and starting some negotiation processes again; environmental review will be re‑run under federal procedures; right‑of‑way acquisition costs could be materially higher than prior estimates in some instances. Staff gave an example of a parcel where the county paid roughly $30,000 to acquire right‑of‑way that was commercially valued much lower, noting small‑parcel negotiations and multiple owners can complicate proceedings.

County staff said federal funds would match state funds so the county’s direct cash match obligations would be reduced, though the county will likely still pay certain up‑front right‑of‑way costs to move the acquisition along more quickly. Staff characterized the change as increasing the project’s time to delivery but reducing county match requirements.

Why it matters: the federalization alters the project’s funding and schedule, reintroduces community outreach around property acquisitions, and positions the county to obligate design funds now so projects are ready should redistributed funds become available.

Discussion in the meeting also referenced the county’s overall funding posture for pavement work and an ability, in earlier years, to “borrow ahead” on future allocations; staff said that option is constrained when fund balances are drawn down by other counties’ project deliveries.

No additional formal actions were taken specifically to change property acquisition authority during the meeting; the board’s adoption of the six‑year plan will allow staff to proceed with design obligations and to pursue federal funding.