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Officials outline how a road improvement district would work for South Cleona Ridge Road
Summary
Public Works explained the RID process under RCW 36.88 and Kittitas County Code, noting South Cleona Ridge Road’s Forest Service ownership raises licensing and maintenance issues and that assessments are typically spread over up to 20 years.
Kittitas County Public Works briefed commissioners on how a Road Improvement District (RID) would be used to bring an existing private or substandard road onto the county road system and the practical implications for a potential project on South Cleona Ridge Road.
"Ultimately, RID is an assessment on the property owners that benefit from the improvement of the roadway," Public Works staff said, describing two ways an RID starts under state law — by petition of a majority of benefiting property owners or by the county initiating the process under RCW 36.88. Staff described steps that include cost estimates for design, right-of-way, construction, public hearings and an assessment calculation method (per lot, frontage, or value-based cost allocation).
Preverson told the board that South Cleona Ridge Road’s legal right-of-way appears to be held by the U.S. Forest Service, which would require negotiation and likely a license rather than an immediate transfer of ownership. He said agencies sometimes provide long-term licenses with conditions rather than selling land, and that these licenses can impose maintenance or operational conditions county crews must meet.
Commissioners pressed staff on past experience, citing a prior RID (Wheel Road) that was not successful and raising equity concerns when lot sizes vary widely. Staff said those differences can make equitable assessments difficult and that payment options usually include an upfront payment within about 30 days (no interest) or a multi-year assessment with interest; the county typically bonds for initial costs and recoups them through assessments over terms up to 20 years.
Staff also flagged practical maintenance needs for roads brought onto the county system, including turnarounds for plows and longer-term maintenance obligations. Preverson said the presentation was informational and no RID proposal is before the board now; he asked the board to consider the process and potential stumbling blocks if a petition is later submitted.
Next steps: staff will continue interagency outreach regarding ownership and licensing, produce cost-estimate procedures, and return to the board if or when a formal petition or county-initiated RID advances for public hearing.
