Lincoln County commissioners approve closure of portion of Old Minnie Brown Road after residents speak

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners voted 21-3 on April 21, 2026, to close a portion of Old Minnie Brown Road in the 17th Civil District. Commissioner Doug Cunningham moved to dispense with the reading of a resolution and close the road; Commissioner Pat Haynes seconded the motion and it carried on a roll call vote.

Road Superintendent Tim Gill told the board the road has not been on the county road list since the mid-1990s and said returning the road to the county list could require building a new bridge. County Attorney Ed Simms had prepared the closure resolution and the board dispensed with reading it before voting.

Several residents were recognized to speak during consideration of the item, including Mr. Harlan and his wife Terry, Don Jenkins, Dave Martin and Mrs. Risner. Commissioners Sanders and Frassrand recognized the residents and afforded them time to address the board; the minutes record that residents spoke to the potential partial road closure but do not include direct quotations.

Commissioner Brandon Kolle moved to amend Cunningham’s motion to leave a portion of Old Minnie Brown Road open and put that portion back on the County Road List (which could require a new bridge). That amendment was seconded by Commissioner Danny Walker and failed on a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Kolle, Sanders, Walker) and 21 opposed.

After the amendment failed, the original motion to close the referenced portion of Old Minnie Brown Road carried 21-3. The board then moved on to routine appointment items.

The resolution to close the road will be recorded in county minutes and implemented according to county procedures; the minutes do not specify an effective date or bridge funding source.