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Highway committee approves draft Ashland County bridge and culvert aid policy, sends it to county board
Summary
The Ashland County Highway Committee voted to approve a draft bridge/culvert aid policy that would levy funds to help towns pay for culverts and contribute toward large bridge projects; the measure will go to the full county board for final approval and must meet town opt-in deadlines for budgeting.
The Ashland County Highway Committee voted to approve a draft county bridge and culvert aid policy and will forward the proposal to the full county board for final action.
The policy, presented by the highway commissioner, would create a levy to fund two primary pools: a roughly $100,000 annual culvert grant fund that towns could apply to by August for the following year, and a second $100,000 emergency fund for midyear failures. The draft also proposes county participation on full-bridge projects by paying half of the town’s 20% share on federally funded bridges (effectively 10% of the total project cost).
The commissioner said the county is authorized by Wisconsin statutes (chapter 83 was cited at the meeting) to establish bridge aid and that the program would be a countywide levy that towns may not unilaterally opt out of once adopted. He said most towns contacted supported forming a program; La Pointe opposed it and two towns had not responded. The committee emphasized scheduling so towns can include the levy in their budgets: the commissioner said towns must decide by Sept. 1 to be included for budget planning.
A committee member moved to approve the draft policy, the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The committee did not set specific grant award criteria in final form at the meeting; the draft includes tracking of town usage and a formula to prioritize funds based on demonstrated need.
Why it matters: the policy would create a steady, county-administered source of funding for culverts and small bridges in towns that historically have very limited options for these repairs. The commissioner noted eligibility limits under state law (culverts 36 inches to 20 feet are within the proposed scope) and warned a full bridge project can cost in excess of $1,000,000, making local cost shares significant for small towns.
Next steps: the highway committee will forward the approved draft to the Ashland County Board for consideration; the commissioner asked committee members to speak in support at the board meeting to aid passage. If approved by the county board, the levy would be set during the county budget process.
