Star Valley Ranch council approves chip-seal road improvement resolution after residents press for written spending explanations

The Star Valley Ranch Town Council voted unanimously on Sept. 9 to adopt Resolution-25-09-09-003 to implement a chip-seal road improvement program covering Plat 21, Vista Drive and Plat 5.

Resident concerns at the meeting centered on how the town documents changes to project methods and how repaving priorities are set. Resident Mr. Siddoway said the town sometimes shifts to less-costly methods mid-project and asked for written explanations, saying that "simply saying money is 'justified' without documentation is misleading." Councilman Bitter responded that "the budget itself does not dictate how money is spent; rather, the projects guide where the budget is allocated," and the resolution moved forward on a unanimous voice vote.

Mr. Hansen asked whether the town keeps a formal priority list for chip-seal work; Mayor Rok noted the Road Master Plan was last updated in 2023 and said the current budget directs work in the plats now listed. Mr. Willis raised concerns that some roads—cited examples included Hardman and Cedar Creek Road—appear to be receiving less attention while newer homes get paving work. Town Administrator Aitken acknowledged Hardman Road is part of the ongoing water project and said he has been discussing scheduling and repairs with the water contractor, Avail.

The meeting record also included a resident description of a cost example—replacing 24 inches of bad soil with gravel and chip seal as a lower-cost alternative to a more expensive reconstruction—used by Mr. Siddoway to illustrate his transparency concerns. The council adopted the resolution and will proceed with the scheduled chip-seal work as budgeted; no additional written schedule or documentation timeline for changed project methods was announced during the meeting.

The council approved the resolution by voice vote after a motion from Councilman Bitter and a second from Councilman Toolson.