Commission declines to appoint viewer for Tolman Ranch Road after debate over cost and maintenance

The Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners voted on May 5 not to appoint a viewer to consider establishing Tolman Ranch Road as a county road. The roll call vote on the resolution failed 4–0 with one abstention.

Public Works Director Gene Leerski described the statutory viewer process and said a typical viewer report costs about $8,500; the county’s standard petitioner fee for advertisement and mailing is $1,500 and would be paid by the petitioner (the school district had agreed to assume the $1,500 in staff remarks). Leerski said Lincoln County is coordinating to avoid duplicate viewers and that petitioners can cover the advertising fee, but the viewer expense would be the county’s charge under the current resolution.

Several commissioners raised budget and fairness questions. "I don't think it makes a whole lot of sense from a budgetary standpoint," said Commissioner Richards, who expressed concern about committing the county to an $8,500 professional viewer plus the uncertain long‑term maintenance cost if the road is taken into the county system. Commissioner Slaughter also opposed the resolution, citing fiscal constraints and future maintenance obligations. Commissioner Tolman abstained.

Board discussion quantified potential maintenance and upgrade costs if the road became a county road: staff noted design and upgrade requirements to meet fire‑code standards (85,000‑lb vehicle load, a 24‑ft top width, and ditch/crossroad improvements) and offered a wide maintenance estimate range depending on mag‑chloride use and traffic; staff estimated long‑term upgrade costs could vary substantially, with low‑end retrofit estimates on the order of tens of thousands and high‑end reconstruction costs substantially more.

The motion to approve the resolution was moved by Commissioner Jones and seconded by Commissioner Richards; the roll call resulted in four votes against and one abstention, and the resolution failed.

Next steps: staff noted the original 2023 resolution remains on file and that commissioners could bring a future resolution to rescind or revisit prior actions. Petitioners (including Sweetwater School District No. 2) may choose to fund the viewer or pursue alternative arrangements.

Votes and motion: - Motion to approve resolution appointing a viewer for Tolman Ranch Road; mover Commissioner Jones; second Commissioner Richards; roll call: Commissioners Slaughter, Jones, West and Richards voted no; Commissioner Tolman abstained; resolution failed (0 yes, 4 no, 1 abstain).