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Residents praise treated gravel and press Geary County on paving plans, grading and Safe Streets assessment
Summary
Public commenters described long-standing problems with Liberty Hall Road, said treated gravel cut dust but raised concerns grading could negate the treatment, and were told the county is conducting a Safe Streets for All assessment focused initially near the high school.
Multiple residents described ongoing road problems in eastern Geary County, urged the commission to clarify grading policy and praised a treated-gravel surface that reduced dust.
Deanna Munson, a landowner who commented on the Taylor Road area, said Liberty Hall Road remains gravel despite a county promise decades ago and that recent application of a dust-control treatment made a noticeable improvement for residents. "The minute you hit that part, there's no dust," Munson said, adding that she expects to reapply treatment next year and asked how "do not grade" notices placed by the county would affect future maintenance.
County staff told residents the Safe Streets for All program is in Phase 1 and that staff are evaluating areas across Geary County, beginning around the high school; residents were told the assessment will inform whether and where to pursue paving of gravel roads. Commenters also raised concerns that routine grading can remove treated surfaces and that treated gravel contains calcium that can accelerate vehicle corrosion.
What was said and why it matters - Residents reported repeated vehicle damage and heavy dust on unpaved roads, and some said they paid privately for dust treatment to reduce impacts on homes and swimming pools. - County staff said the current Safe Streets assessment will consider paving and that the work now is focused near the county high school but will cover the whole county area in time. - Residents asked for clearer guidance on how long treated gravel lasts, how often grading will occur and whom to contact for road maintenance decisions.
Outcome and next steps County staff said they would check the grading schedule and follow up with the residents. No county paving order or budget appropriation was approved at the meeting.
Ending: Residents encouraged additional outreach and coordination with public-works staff and said they plan to monitor grading and maintenance actions.
