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Highway director previews 2026 budget; department projects 6.66% levy impact and plans construction and bridge work
Summary
Clay County Highway Director Justin presented the Highway Department's 2026 budget, highlighting increased road-materials funding, planned construction projects including a roundabout and possible bridge replacements, and an estimated 6.66% levy increase for the department.
Justin (Clay County Highway Department) presented the department's 2026 budget to the board on July 8, summarizing maintenance, construction, administration and shop divisions and several project and revenue assumptions.
Key points included an increase in road-materials funding (an additional $200,000 to build inventory and offset rising gravel costs), a slight reallocation reducing roadway maintenance in one line item, and small increases for traffic supplies and weed-and-brush control. Justin said the department has implemented new sign-management software and a retroreflectometer that has extended sign life.
On construction, Justin said revenue projections reflect state aid and expected grants: a local road improvement grant for a roundabout project and anticipated bridge-bonding or federal bridge funds tied to bridge-sufficiency ratings and the county's five-year plan. Justin described two large anticipated projects: a roundabout (Casa 12 and 52) and a proposed bridge replacement on Twelfth Avenue (Glendon Township). He also discussed joint projects with neighboring Wilkin County to package bridges for federal aid.
Justin said there are no new staff requests for 2026 and that the department has adjusted part-time and overtime estimates based on recent mild winters. He estimated the department's levy impact at 6.66% across the four budget sections combined.
Commissioners asked for additional materials: historical distributions of the wheelage tax to cities and a breakdown of planned uses for construction lines; Justin said he can provide the history and that project-specific board actions would follow.
No formal board action on the highway budget was taken during the presentation; Justin will return with the full packet and specific project requests for later board action.
