Franklin County considers private‑road option as unpaid developer engineering fees mount

Franklin County commissioners heard that developers are exploiting loopholes in the county’s Development Ordinance and leaving engineering fees unpaid, a gap that county staff say has required taxpayers to cover those costs.

Randy Henrie, listed in the minutes as Building Maintenance and later referenced in Planning and Zoning presentations, told the board that Maple Creek Ranches owes $75,000 in engineering fees and Northern Escape owes about $22,000. Henrie said county staff have mailed bills repeatedly but collections have been difficult; until the money is received, the county’s general funds are effectively fronting the cost.

Henrie proposed an option to allow private roads in subdivisions where the developer’s engineer would design, inspect and sign off on the road and the county could later adopt the road if desired. He also said the county can require private subdivision roads to be hard‑surfaced. Commission Chair Robert Swainston asked Planning and Zoning to return with “a couple of solutions” to address collection and standards.

Why this matters: when engineering fees are unpaid and staff perform or inspect work on the county’s behalf, the fiscal burden shifts to taxpayers. Any change in policy about private roads also affects long‑term maintenance responsibility, road safety standards and when County standards must be enforced.

What’s next: Commissioners asked Planning and Zoning to prepare options on fee collection and private‑road standards for a future meeting.

At the meeting the board did not take a final policy vote on private roads; the session instead directed staff to draft solutions and an adoption process for future consideration.