Osage County approves Fisher Bridge contract under state off‑system program
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Summary
The Osage County board approved signing a state off‑system bridge contract for Fisher Bridge (south of Superior) and authorized the vice chair to sign required federal/state certifications. The project (70CD-5404-01) is set up for 2027 and places local responsibilities for land, utilities and initial engineering on the county.
Osage County commissioners voted to approve the county’s signature on a state off‑system bridge contract for Fisher Bridge, a small bridge located south of Superior, and authorized the vice chair to sign related certification forms.
The board’s approval follows a presentation by Ryan, who said the bridge is a roughly 3–4 ton structure and that the state will cover most construction costs while the county remains responsible for land purchase, utility relocation and initial engineering. Project paperwork is set up for the 2027 funding cycle; county staff and the presenter agreed the signature pages need to be collected so the state can proceed.
The decision followed a legal review by Josh, who said from a legal perspective there were no unusual issues with signing contract project number 70CD-5404-01, the off‑system bridge program agreement, though he noted standard contract language requiring repayment to the state if the county cancels after the state advances funds. The board moved, seconded and approved the motion to sign the Fisher Bridge contract. The vote was taken by voice with commissioners responding “Aye.”
Commissioners also approved a subsequent motion to authorize the vice chair to sign required certifications that accompany the contract package, including participant certifications about debarment/indictment/conviction history and the Federal Funds lobbying certification. County legal staff described those certifications as standard attachments to state contracts.
Board members used the discussion to raise broader concerns about road and bridge funding: presenters said overlay mileage has fallen from past levels (historically about 14 miles per year overlay and 20 miles of chip seal) to approximately 9.5 miles of overlay per year, which the board said warrants a closer look at the road and bridge budget ahead of the 2027 cycle. Ryan said he will forward contract pages and related materials to county staff for Josh’s review and to collect signatures from other officials so the county can execute the agreement.
The board’s approval is administrative: staff will follow up with the state and complete the certification and signature paperwork required to begin the project process.