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Public Works warns of structural gap as 2026 budget targets $10M reserves
Summary
Public Works officials told the Wallowa County commissioners that the 2026 road and maintenance budgets total about $37.39 million but project an $8.7 million year-end balance — short of a $10 million target needed for emergency response, local match and a project reserve.
Public Works Director Dan Mack, County Engineer Joel and Financial Manager Melissa Pike outlined the department’s 2026 spending plan and warned commissioners the county faces a structural shortfall that threatens capital work and routine maintenance.
Joel summarized how the department’s four funds fit together and said the County Road Fund’s total expense budget is $37,394,565. He told the board the department would like to hold a $3 million emergency response reserve and roughly $5 million in a project reserve so it can provide local matches for large grants. “In…
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