Public Works warns of multimillion-dollar shortfalls for overlays, bridges and CARS program

Johnson County Public Works outlined several budget pressures tied to rising construction costs and increasing local demand for road and bridge projects, saying current funding will not sustain the county’s desired level of safety and pavement maintenance.

Lee Kellenburgger (Public Works) said an ongoing overlay funding need of roughly $3 million would maintain current service levels for county asphalt roads; the department requested $2.1 million ongoing in the 2027 budget to help close a maintenance gap created by inflation in materials and labor. He also highlighted fleet capital needs for a roughly $19 million vehicle fleet on a 10‑year replacement cycle and a submitted CIP request for $1.452 million for bridge/culvert and shoulder safety work.

Kellenburgger flagged the county’s share of the Flum boundary-bridge project ($3.8 million of a $7.6 million total) pending federal appropriation and the larger CARS (city/area road-sharing) program shortfall, where higher subscription by municipalities and rising project costs have reduced the county reserve and created a one‑time shortfall near $3.75 million for 2027. "We're oversubscribed," he said of the CARS program, noting increased demand and higher unit costs.

Commissioners asked about pavement-condition trends, timelines before the Pavement Condition Index would materially decline without additional funding (staff estimated the slide could accelerate in the next decade), and opportunities to work with cities on matching funds or one-stop project coordination.

Public Works recommended continued attention to the program and noted that some of the 2027 shortfall would be addressed with one-time general-fund resources, but that long‑term solutions would require either additional revenue or changed program expectations.