Highway department reports $491,348 award, seeks lidar funding and gets approval for CDL reimbursement program
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Summary
Highway Superintendent Todd Hauck told commissioners the county received a $491,348.23 state award for a submitted application, is preparing an HSIP lidar application due Dec. 5, and presented a CDL training reimbursement policy that commissioners approved with a sliding repayment schedule for employees who leave within four years.
Todd Hauck, highway superintendent, updated commissioners on maintenance work, training and multiple grant applications. He said the county submitted final FEMA paperwork for debris removal and estimated roughly $31,000 could be returned to the county pending FEMA review. Hauck also announced the county received one NDOT award in the amount of $491,348.23 for a 2026 application and characterized it as a significant accomplishment given the large statewide request pool.
Hauck described a pending Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) application to collect lidar data; the application must be submitted by Dec. 5 and may be either 100% funded or require a 90/10 match. He said a preliminary cost estimate for lidar was about $300,000, meaning a potential county share of roughly $30,000 if a 90/10 split applies; final funding terms were not yet confirmed.
Hauck introduced a CDL training reimbursement program in which the county would pay for CDL training and require graduated reimbursement if an employee left within four years: full reimbursement if leaving before one year; 75% if leaving before two years; 50% before three years; 25% before four years; no reimbursement required after four years. A commissioner asked about typical CDL costs; Hauck described a typical cost conversationally as "75" but did not specify units or whether he meant $750 or another figure. Commissioners discussed staffing needs and approved the CDL reimbursement program/contract by voice vote.
Hauck also described a new online 'report a road issue' form on the county website and said crews are using incoming reports to prioritize work. Commissioners requested paperwork for the CDL contract and agreed to review final grant materials as they are available.
No detailed grant award conditions or final county-match commitments were presented at the hearing; Hauck said state and federal agencies must still complete reviews before awards are finalized.