County approves $298,232 for Little Suit Park road replacement, taps FY26 CIP and local option sales tax

The Woodbury County board approved $298,232 to replace one mile of road at Little Suit Park, agreeing to use $85,700 from the county’s fiscal 2026 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and to fund the remainder from local option sales tax proceeds.

County staff and conservation representatives described project costs and funding options. Ryan (county staff) explained that unspent prior-year CIP funds could be reallocated but would require a reallocation hearing for fiscal 2024; he said FY26 borrowing language could be adjusted if the board chose to use FY26 CIP. Daniel Heisel, representing Berry Conservation, confirmed contractor availability and the scope of the one-mile project.

Board members discussed multiple funding buckets: the county’s loss (local option) funds, gaming funds, and CIP balances. One board member noted $228,000 would be available in local option at the end of FY26 and flagged $120,000 tentatively tied to other conservation projects pending FEMA reimbursement. Members weighed reserving CIP dollars for small courthouse and HR office repairs (estimated at roughly $30,000 each) against using CIP and local option funds to complete the road project now.

Nelson moved to approve the appropriation of $298,232 with $85,700 from FY26 CIP and the balance from local option sales tax; the motion passed unanimously (vote recorded as 5–0). The contractor expects to complete work by the end of July, pending any cost reductions staff can secure.

The board’s action authorizes staff to begin contracting and scheduling work; the motion did not identify specific contractor award at the meeting.