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Perry Council accepts $1.5 million DOT offer to replace Warford Street Bridge, approves reimbursement-bond resolution
Summary
The Perry City Council unanimously accepted a $1.5 million Iowa DOT offer to reconstruct the Warford Street Bridge and approved a resolution to permit the city to reimburse project costs from future bond proceeds, with council noting sidewalks and aesthetic treatments as likely additions.
The Perry City Council voted unanimously Dec. 1 to accept an Iowa Department of Transportation offer to reconstruct the Warford Street Bridge across Frog Creek and to establish reimbursement-bond compliance for upcoming capital projects.
City Administrator Mr. Peterson told the council the DOT contacted the city offering about $1.5 million to replace a bridge judged structurally deficient. "Congratulations, you can have $1.5 million to replace a bridge if you want it," he said, describing the unsolicited funding as a straightforward acceptance process rather than a competitive grant application. Council members discussed adding sidewalks and aesthetic elements to match downtown improvements.
Separately, the council approved a resolution establishing compliance with Internal Revenue Code reimbursement-bond rules so the city may temporarily pay project costs from the general fund and reimburse those expenses when bond proceeds arrive, expected in the first half of 2026. Peterson said the provision allows reimbursement for expenses up to 90 days before bond issuance and was driven chiefly by the downtown project, for which the city has already submitted a pay request.
Officials said the DOT funding will cover 100% of the bridge construction; the city will be responsible for engineering and coordination. Staff noted the nearby Park Road bridge also scored low on DOT condition rankings and could be eligible for similar funding next year, while one other Park Street bridge may involve county coordination.
The council took the actions by roll-call votes, with all members recorded voting yes. The council did not specify detailed design commitments during the meeting; staff said design, engineering schedules and coordination with DOT processes will follow.
What happens next: staff will return the required resolution to the DOT and proceed with engineering and scheduling steps under the department's project process.
