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Franklin County adopts FY2027 secondary roads budget; directs review of road‑use agreements for battery storage projects
Summary
The Franklin County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the FY2027 Secondary Roads Budget and Five‑Year Construction Program and directed Planning & Zoning to consider a Road Use Agreement requirement for battery storage, solar and nuclear projects after supervisors raised concerns about road damage.
Franklin County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution adopting the 2027 fiscal year Secondary Roads Budget and the county’s Five‑Year Secondary Roads Construction Program at a regular meeting on April 21, 2026. The resolution is being submitted to the Iowa Department of Transportation as required by Iowa Code.
The Board voted Ayes: Lukensmeyer, McVicker and Vanness; Nays: None. Jay Waddingham, the county’s Secondary Roads Engineer, provided the department update that accompanied the presentation of the budget and program.
Supervisor Chris Vanness raised concerns about ongoing construction associated with a battery storage facility and “the damage it is doing to County roads.” Following discussion, the Board concluded that a Road Use Agreement with Secondary Roads should be required for all Battery Storage, Solar, and Nuclear development projects and directed Planning & Zoning to meet May 27 to consider that request.
The action implements the Board’s formal adoption of the departmental budget and program and also establishes a next step on permitting and oversight for large energy projects that use county roads. The resolution cites the Iowa Code requirement that the Board adopt and submit the Secondary Road Budget and Five‑Year Construction Program to the Iowa DOT by April 30.
The Board’s decision sends the adopted budget and program to the Iowa DOT and instructs county staff and Planning & Zoning to pursue a road‑use agreement framework intended to protect county infrastructure from project‑related damage. The Planning & Zoning meeting is scheduled for May 27.
