Bee County approves up to $50,000 emergency fund to widen Finner Street before new school opens

Bee County Commissioners on Tuesday approved an emergency allocation of up to $50,000 to widen and add lighting to Finner Street to accommodate new school-bus traffic for the incoming Beville Independent School District facility.

Commissioner Faras told the court that buses will begin using Finner Street in August and that the county needs to add about four feet to one side of the roadway, trim overhanging oak branches and install two lights (one pole already has a transformer). Road and Bridge staff estimated the work could be completed in one to two weeks once crews focus on the project.

Faras said Spa Glass offered to donate excavated material from the school site that could reduce the cost by roughly $16,000; with that donation county staff estimated the actual county cost would run “south of $30,000,” but the court approved a not-to-exceed emergency amount of $50,000 as a buffer for materials, labor and contingencies. The court directed that road funds be used for the work.

Superintendent Travis Fanning, speaking for the school, confirmed buses will use the road in August; Road and Bridge representative Jonathan said crews could begin work immediately, indicating they could start in about 20 minutes and hoped to begin before lunch. Commissioners discussed traffic control and the possible involvement of the sheriff’s office during work to maintain safety.

The motion to treat the project as an emergency and to authorize the expenditure passed without exception by voice vote. The county will obtain quotes as needed and proceed with the improvements and lighting so the route is ready before school starts.

The court also asked staff to add requested school signage as a follow-up agenda item so wording and placement can be finalized.