Valley County commissioners begin public planning for a road levy, cite failing collectors and siphon damage

Valley County commissioners opened a sustained discussion May 12 about pursuing a road levy to pay for repairs, maintenance and long-term pavement management after years of deferred maintenance and limited outside funding.

The discussion, led by county public-works staff and commissioners, centered on whether to place a levy on the ballot and how to prioritize projects if voters approve new funding. Commissioners said several collector roads are failing or near failure — West Roseberry, Norwood and Loomis were named specifically — and that without new revenue the county faces continuing, widespread pavement deterioration.

Staff said the county’s transportation plan and a software tool called iWORKS (and a proposed work-management module) can provide the project lists, cost estimates and maintenance schedules needed to justify a levy and to explain how money would be spent. The county discussed integrating LTAC and other federal grants for “farm-to-market” segments as part of a broader funding strategy.

County staff described a recently failed irrigation siphon near Heinrich that overtopped a roadway and will require a closure beginning the next day; the school bus route was expected to be affected only in the afternoon. Commissioners said such failures underscore the urgency of deciding on a funding approach.

Commissioners debated alternatives to a levy, including voluntary, property-owner contributions for specific road segments, and recommended documenting such partnerships with memoranda of understanding. Officials also discussed staging major equipment purchases and capital projects — for example, deferring an interior bridge crane for a new maintenance shop if funds are insufficient and instead preparing the building to accept it later.

The county emphasized the need for a clear public message if a levy is placed on the ballot: whether the levy would be a short-term override (simple majority) or a longer-term measure requiring a supermajority, the number of miles the county plans to pave annually, and how preventative maintenance would be funded over time. Commissioners said outreach should begin months ahead of any ballot measure.

The county also discussed truck routing and enforcement to reduce wear on high-traffic collectors, and suggested forming a subcommittee with community members to develop a prioritized list of projects and potential truck routes. Staff said the master transportation plan and iWORKS can produce the lists and cost estimates commissioners requested.

The commission did not take a formal vote on a levy at the May 12 meeting; commissioners directed staff to prioritize the road-levy discussion for a future meeting and to produce the data and public materials needed for outreach.