Madera supervisors approve $20.7 million in road and bridge contracts, veterans services reorganization and housing bond support

Madera County Board of Supervisors on May 20 voted unanimously to authorize two major construction contracts — $6,223,696 for the Road 427 (Oak Creek) bridge replacement and $14,446,036.30 for the Avenue 12 widening — and approved organizational and financing measures including a veterans services reorganization and a county membership in the California Municipal Finance Authority for a proposed 50‑unit rental project.

The actions came during the board’s regular meeting at the Madera County Board Chambers and were approved on 4‑0 roll call votes where recorded. Public works staff said the bridge project is fully funded by the Federal Highway Administration and requires no local match; the Avenue 12 widening will be funded entirely by developer impact fees, county staff said.

Why it matters: the two construction contracts move forward significant infrastructure work expected to affect commuters and local development in eastern Madera County and the Ranchos area, while the veterans services reorganization and the county’s conditional participation in bond issuance affect county service delivery and affordable housing financing.

Public works projects Dominic Tyburski, Madera County public works director, told the board the Road 427 bridge — built in 1975 and rated functionally obsolete — received three responsive bids; AG Construction Corporation was the low bidder at $6,223,696. The board authorized the chair to sign the contract and approved contingency authority (up to 10% per county policy) and contract change orders within that contingency. Public works said construction will proceed in staged work with one‑way traffic control and temporary signals to maintain traffic during work.

The board also approved a $14,446,036.30 contract with Avison Construction Inc. for the Avenue 12 widening from Road 40 to 800 feet east of Riverwalk Boulevard. Staff said April bids produced a low price well under the engineer’s estimate; construction is slated to begin in mid‑June and last about 18 months. The project includes widening from four to six lanes for part of the segment, two new permanent traffic signals and a raised center median. Staff noted the Avenue 12 work will overlap a State Route 41 expressway expansion project expected to begin construction in March 2026.

Veterans services reorganization The board approved a reorganization to align the Veterans Services Office under the Department of Social Services. Human resources staff presented a revised Director of Social Services job classification and asked that Deborah Martinez, the county’s Director of Social Services, assume oversight of Veterans Services effective July 3 and receive a 10% longevity pay adjustment. The board approved the classification and the pay adjustment; staff said the reorganization is contingent on the board’s second reading and adoption of ordinance amendments (scheduled for a later meeting).

Housing bond TEFRA ratification The board adopted a resolution to become a member of the California Municipal Finance Authority (CMFA) to satisfy TEFRA requirements and related California Government Code provisions for a proposed issuance of revenue bonds not to exceed $30,000,000 to finance and refinance a 50‑unit rental project at 39963 Sierra Way in Oakhurst for the benefit of River Grove 2 LP. Community and economic development staff said the county would have no fiscal, financial or legal responsibility for the bonds.

Other actions The board adopted appropriations limits for fiscal year 2025–26 for the county and its special districts ahead of next month’s budget hearings. The board also ratified sending a letter of support for SB 607, described in staff materials as a set of targeted reforms to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) intended to streamline review.

Procedure and consent calendar A procedural motion to reconsider a consent calendar item (to correct a drafting error) was made and approved at the start of the meeting; the board subsequently approved the remainder of the consent calendar with item 5S pulled for redrafting and a future hearing.

Votes at a glance - Road 427 Bridge replacement contract (AG Construction Corporation) — motion to approve carried 4‑0; contract amount $6,223,696; authorized contingency up to 10% and notice to proceed authority to Public Works. - Avenue 12 widening contract (Avison Construction Inc.) — motion to approve carried 4‑0; contract amount $14,446,036.30; authorized contingency up to 10% and notice to proceed authority to Public Works. - Reorganization of Veterans Services under Department of Social Services; director classification and 10% longevity pay for Deborah Martinez — motion to approve carried 4‑0; effective date contingent on ordinance second reading. - CMFA membership and TEFRA resolution for River Grove 2 LP (50 units) — motion to approve carried 4‑0; bonds not to exceed $30,000,000; staff said no county fiscal responsibility. - Appropriations limits for FY 2025–26 (county and special districts) — carried 4‑0. - Ratify letter of support for SB 607 (CEQA reforms) — carried 4‑0.

What the board said Supervisors who spoke at the meeting praised public works staff for pursuing federal funding for the bridge project and for advancing the Avenue 12 project, which board members and staff said will address long‑standing traffic and safety concerns in southeastern Madera County. Human resources and county administration staff described the veterans reorganization as an efficiency and service alignment measure and said similar structures exist in other counties.

Next steps and timing Public works staff said construction on Avenue 12 is expected to begin in mid‑June and last about 18 months; the Road 427 bridge work will proceed under staged traffic control. The veterans reorganization remains contingent on a second reading and adoption of municipal code amendments at a future board meeting. The CMFA bond issuance will proceed through the authority’s TEFRA hearing and financing process; staff emphasized the county’s role was limited to satisfying legal requirements for public hearings.

Sources: Madera County staff presentations and public meeting record, May 20, 2025.