McDonald County adopts ordinance requiring utility assent and $1 million performance bonds

The McDonald County Commission unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 2025-002 at its June 25, 2025 meeting, requiring utility companies to obtain the commission’s approval and post a $1,000,000 performance bond for each project before beginning construction that uses county roadways. Commissioner Jamey Cope moved to accept and adopt the ordinance; Western Commissioner Rick Lett seconded the motion, which passed with unanimous consent from the commissioners present.

The ordinance was read for the final time during the meeting. Under the measure, utilities must seek the county commission’s assent and secure the specified performance bond amount for each project that impacts county roadways. The minutes do not specify an effective date or implementation timeline for the ordinance.

County officials did not record a detailed roll-call vote in the minutes beyond noting the motion and that it passed unanimously. The document also does not include any recorded public testimony, legal citations, or amendments to the ordinance text in the minutes. Commission staff or county departments responsible for permitting and enforcement were not identified in the minutes as assignees for implementation steps.

Next steps listed in the minutes are limited to the record of adoption; further administrative procedures, bond form requirements, or enforcement processes were not specified.