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Residents press supervisors to fix badly deteriorated roads after recent crashes; county officials cite funding limits
Summary
Public commenters urged the board to prioritize repairs on Little River Airport Road, 10 Mile Cutoff and other roads after recent severe crashes; supervisors acknowledged the need but said funding is limited and reprioritization is required.
Several residents told the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that deteriorated rural roads are a public-safety crisis and urged immediate repairs to prevent more crashes.
Kevin Evans of Walla Walla (District 5) told the board that a May crash on the county's 10 Mile Cutoff killed two children and that local roads are long overdue for maintenance. "When I ever sent in 10 mile cutoff are finally repaired, it will be 35 year 34 years of deferred maintenance," Evans said, citing county maintenance schedules he had reviewed. "Public safety should be the county's highest priority," he said.
David Gurney of Fort Bragg described a recent multi-injury crash on Little River Airport Road and called for immediate resurfacing and repairs to the narrow, shoulderless road that serves as an evacuation and emergency route. "You need to fix that road, and you need to fix it now," Gurney told the board.
Supervisor Williams said he shared "being with the speaker and the public on road conditions" and that the board had political will to address roads but the core issue is funding. He and other supervisors noted the county's limited discretionary budget and the need to identify funding or reprioritize projects. CEO Antle and Deputy CEO Raikes confirmed the county must balance capital needs with a broader structural budget shortfall showing less buying power for county services when adjusted for inflation.
Why it matters: Several commenters tied recent severe crashes to deferred maintenance and called this a public-safety priority. The board recognized the urgency but said short-term funding options are limited and that staff will seek ways to reprioritize maintenance lists.
What's next: Supervisors said the board and staff will continue to discuss road funding options as part of the broader budget hearings and capital planning; public requests to reprioritize specific road segments may be directed to public works and the county maintenance plan will be examined for earlier scheduling when funds permit.
