Jackson County warned of roughly $50,000 road-aid shortfall after state payment change
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Summary
County officials told the fiscal court that the second scheduled state county-road-aid payment will be 25% (about $360,000) rather than the expected 30% (about $410,000), creating an estimated $50,000 gap that could be made up in June but is not guaranteed, with potential consequences for road maintenance plans.
Judge Shane Gabbard told the court that Jackson County had budgeted $1.3 million in county road-aid for fiscal year 2026 and that the county receives aid in three payments during the year funded through the motor fuels sales tax.
He said the first payment was about $807,000 in August and that the second payment is usually 30% of the total (around $410,000). Recent notice from the Department for Rural and Municipal Aid, Gabbard said, indicates the second payment will be only 25% (approximately $360,000), producing an approximate $50,000 shortfall versus the county’s budget.
Gabbard cautioned the court that the shortfall could be made up in a June payment but stressed there is no guarantee. He said the county will likely need to consider raising revenue in future years to cover road maintenance costs given rising expenses and the county’s large network of road miles.
Court members discussed short-term priorities such as resurfacing and equipment maintenance; staff noted a need for additional gravel road maintenance after winter storms and the county’s reliance on road-aid funding for upkeep.