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Commission directs staff to proceed on Tollman Ranch road process to secure school access; costs and easements remain open issues
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Summary
County staff and the school district presented a multi‑party plan to establish a county road to ensure reliable access to Tollman Ranch School. Commissioners approved initiating a viewer''s report and directed staff to pursue required easements and engineering, while noting the viewer cost has risen to about $8,500 and construction upgrades could be costly.
Sweetwater County public works and the local school district asked the commission on April 21 to proceed with steps to formally establish the Tollman (Toman) Ranch bridal as a county road to secure long-term access to Tollman Ranch School.
Public Works Director Jean Lugerski told commissioners the route crosses federal Bureau of Reclamation/BLM land and a short segment lies in Lincoln County, so securing an easement or right-of-way from the BOR and agreement from Lincoln County are prerequisites. He also flagged that the viewer's fee estimate for a formal viewer's report has climbed from $1,500 (previously budgeted) to about $8,500.
Dr. Cooper, the school district superintendent, described daily use of the road by staff and students and the school''s desire for reliable, documented access: "The school is supported by myself as the principal, so I head out there once a month at minimum," he said, noting two students currently attend and the facility has functioned since 1957.
Lugerski warned that to accept a road into the county system it must meet county standards (24-foot top and ability to carry 80,000-pound vehicles), and typically the petitioner is responsible for upgrades. He gave a rough estimate that adding substantial gravel to improve strength and width could cost several hundred thousand dollars per mile depending on depth and materials.
After discussion of the BOR right-of-way process, viewer's scheduling and cost, and Lincoln County''s participation, the commission directed staff to prepare an updated resolution and to proceed with the viewer's report while coordinating with the school district and Lincoln County. No formal funding commitment for upgrades was made at the meeting.
What to watch next: staff will return with an updated resolution, viewer's report results, BOR easement documentation and engineering cost estimates to clarify the financial responsibility for road upgrades.
