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Road and Bridge director wins approval to surplus old equipment; staff to prepare budget forecasts and RMA sequencing clarified
Summary
The board approved a 2026 surplus‑equipment list for Road & Bridge, asked staff for budget forecasting and public messaging about funding sources, and directed adherence to existing process on a road‑mitigation agreement and gate discussion; the RMA sequencing remains to be finalized.
Valley County commissioners unanimously approved a Road & Bridge surplus‑equipment list for 2026 after Director Kirsten Dietrich described a cleanup plan for the department’s Gold Dust boneyard and older vehicles.
Dietrich, introduced in the meeting as road and bridge director, said the list contains low‑value or decommissioned items and that the county would use the standard online government‑surplus program. "One of my goals is cleanup of our extensive boneyard at the Gold Dust area," she said, and she asked the board to permit disposal and potential sale proceeds to be reinvested in shop needs.
Dietrich also outlined work to reopen the FY26 budget for forecasting and public communications. She said the road fund is largely supported by gas taxes and sketched a rough picture: about $4–4.5 million in revenue, roughly $2 million in operating costs and $1.7 million in equipment costs, leaving an estimated $700,000–$800,000 for road rehab under current assumptions. Dietrich proposed in‑house forecasting, publication of a public‑service explanation of funding sources, and pursuing a large planning grant (due in January) that could fund corridor designs leading to eventual construction.
On a related planning item, Dietrich relayed that applicants asked to finalize a road‑mitigation agreement (RMA) ahead of a pending gate/closure discussion. Commissioners cautioned that minutes and prior scheduling constrain adding items to upcoming agendas and asked staff to follow Roberts Rules and existing workshop dates; a gate workshop was previously scheduled for Jan. 12. Commissioners said they would not rush RMA or gate decisions and emphasized the need for full review to protect the county.
Next steps: Road & Bridge staff will proceed with the surplus process, prepare the requested forecasting and public messaging, and continue coordination on the RMA and gate sequencing with commissioners and applicants.
