Supervisors review road resurfacing program, costs and possible urban renewal funding

County road staff updated the Board of Supervisors on resurfacing and construction work across Kossuth County and outlined funding considerations for the fiscal 2026 and 2027 programs.

Staff reported ongoing asphalt work, rumble strip installation and barrier rail work on the Smith/Godberts bridge north of Sexton. The county hired a new operator for the Algona shop, Bill Tevin, who will be based in Wesley but work out of Algona.

Looking ahead, staff summarized the fiscal‑year 2026 resurfacing program: four projects are planned, including a federally funded segment (Bancroft–Forest City Road from 169 to P64) and local/farm‑to‑market stretches. To let projects in March 2026, plans must be to the Iowa Department of Transportation by Nov. 4. Staff raised the option of using urban renewal (TIF) funds or taking an internal loan to accelerate resurfacing work.

Staff provided cost guidance used in planning: roughly $85,000 per inch per mile of asphalt; a typical 3‑inch overlay runs about $250,000 per mile under current pricing. Staff estimated the 2027 program counted about 21 miles and would amount to roughly $3 million. They also noted the county still expects to repay roughly $1.3 million in internal loans but anticipates about $500,000 in receipts soon.

Supervisors asked for follow‑up on whether internal loan receipts and tax collections would be available to support additional resurfacing work and flagged the Dec. 1 deadline for certifying any new debt tied to tax increment financing. No final financing decision was made at the meeting; staff offered to prepare more detailed estimates and options for the board.

No action to borrow or reallocate funds was taken during the discussion recorded in the transcript.