Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission discusses remaining RACE funds, approves easements and routine resolutions
Summary
The board discussed remaining RACE program funds (roughly $23,000–$24,000) and statutory award deadlines, approved several resolutions (weight limits, bridge inspection) and authorized easement approvals for multiple road and bridge projects; the board tabled final RACE award decisions for a future meeting to verify statutory requirements.
Clay County commissioners spent part of the May 27 meeting reviewing remaining state RACE funds, adopting routine resolutions and approving easements for planned road and bridge projects.
Staff reported roughly $23,000–$24,000 in remaining RACE funds and cautioned about statutory deadlines; a staff member cited SB 188 and provisions in SDCL 31-34 that the funds must be spent or obligated no later than June 30, 2029. Commissioners discussed criteria for awarding funds, the possibility of redistributing funds to counties with greater need, and whether to accept previously submitted township applications or ask townships to reapply. Because the board had missed some state annual deadlines for application steps, commissioners agreed to contact DOT for clarification and table the award/refunding decisions to the next meeting to ensure compliance and fairness.
In routine business the board adopted Resolution 2026-05 setting vehicle weight limits (6 tons on hard-surface roads, 7 tons on gravel roads, and an 80,000-lb maximum by axle rules), authorized the chair to request enforcement assistance from the highway patrol, and adopted Resolution 2026-06 on bridge inspections and DOT coordination. Commissioners also authorized several easements in a batch — Frog Creek Gulch easements (Structure 14070063), Dawson Bridge Easements (14108213) and Dakota Street Easements (14117214) — noting landowners had agreed to nominal compensation. Motions on these items were seconded and approved on voice votes or roll call as appropriate.
Next steps: county staff will contact DOT for statutory guidance on RACE deadlines and prepare follow-up materials for the next meeting; easement documents will be finalized and recorded as required.
