Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Roads topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Citizens press Harney County for road repairs; court schedules a work session
Summary
Residents from Andrews, Crane and other parts of Harney County pressed the county court Feb. 19 over damaged gravel roads and safety risks; the court scheduled a Feb. 24 work session to review maintenance standards, staffing and funding.
Residents and property owners told Harney County Court on Feb. 19 that many county roads are in poor condition after this winter, prompting a prolonged public exchange and the scheduling of a county roads work session to develop next steps.
What happened: Several citizens described damage and safety concerns on roads including East Steens Road, Crane Bonanza (Crane Bonatta) Road and other remote gravel routes. Speakers raised questions about who is responsible for maintenance, how maintenance is prioritized, whether local volunteers or landowners can assist, and whether mutual aid arrangements with federal agencies or private parties could help address shortfalls.
County response and funding constraints: County Road Master Eric (last name not specified) told the court the road department is operating under staffing limits and severe winter conditions that have created potholes and soft sections that cannot be fully repaired until drier weather. Officials said the county budget relies heavily on Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funding; staff warned that SRS funds were delayed by the federal government and that, if not released before July 1, the road department could face roughly a $1,040,000 deficit and would be forced to dip into operating reserves.
Why it matters: Residents described impacts on school buses, private equipment and tourism access. One speaker said an affected family was considering a toll to pay for maintenance, reflecting frustration with the status quo. County staff said some roads had received spot rock or three‑quarter minus aggregate per state spec but that crown and drainage issues remain.
Planned next steps: The court and community agreed to a work session to discuss maintenance schedules, staffing, funding and the possibility of mutual‑aid or formal agreements with landowners and other agencies. The court asked participants to submit specific questions and documentation in advance to speed the work session. County staff set the meeting for 2 p.m. on Feb. 24 and asked that interested parties email topics in advance.
What was not decided: No formal reallocation of funds or program changes occurred at the hearing. County officials said they will research a 17‑year‑old court order that residents cited regarding a legalized section of East Steens Road near Andrews and that county counsel would advise on obligations. The county also agreed to invite the sheriff's office and road master to the work session.
Clarifying details discussed in the hearing: The road master said he has a small, partially probationary crew with limited experienced operators; some roads have been assigned senior blade operators on a rotating basis. Citizens and road staff discussed maintenance techniques (reestablishing crown, removing berms that trap water, grooming washboards rather than superficially blading) and the benefits and limits of volunteer help; county staff warned that unsupervised volunteer grading can lead to inefficient labor and liability questions.
Next public steps: The court publicly noticed the Feb. 24 work session; county staff asked attendees to email questions and supporting documentation in advance so the road master and county administration can prepare.
