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County agrees to partner with DNR on Grouse Avenue culvert upgrade, commits up to $185,000
Summary
The Board approved a partner statement and motion to contribute up to $185,000 toward a DNR-led culvert replacement and water-control upgrade at Grouse Avenue/Elk Creek; the project would replace aging metal culverts with twin 10x7 concrete box culverts and would add the structure to the county's federal-aid bridge inventory.
The Worth County Board of Supervisors voted to partner with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on a culvert and water-control structure upgrade at Grouse Avenue and Elk Creek, approving a local contribution up to $185,000.
Rob Patterson, speaking for the DNR, told the board the DNR is applying for a grant to replace aging metal culverts and the existing water-control infrastructure with a twin concrete box culvert (two 10-by-7 openings) and a new control structure. Patterson said the full project estimate is roughly $750,000 and that some components of that estimate are DNR-specific (items not related to the county's road), leaving about $370,000 as the county's share if the county did not partner. The DNR asked the county to split the county-portion of the cost roughly 50/50; the partner statement the DNR submitted asks the county to commit up to $184,000–$185,000.
County supervisors and staff discussed the advantages of replacing the metal culverts with concrete box culverts, including longer service life and the potential to add the structure to the county's federal bridge inventory because the replaced span would be longer than 20 feet. Staff noted the project could be budgeted in fiscal 2027.
Supervisors approved the partner statement and motion to contribute up to $185,000. The county will sign the partner statement and the DNR will include it with the grant application as evidence of local buy-in.
Why it matters: the upgrade addresses failing inlet/culvert infrastructure that county staff described as "holding their own, but on their way out the door," and it could reduce future maintenance and improve hydraulic control at a marsh/wetland management site.
Next steps: DNR will submit the grant application with the county's partner statement; if awarded, the county will incorporate the project into its capital budget for fiscal 2027 and coordinate construction letting with DNR.
