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County engineer warns property‑tax bills could squeeze road programs; bids for dust control and gravel 'rocking' approved
Summary
Des Moines County Engineer Brian Carter told the Board of Supervisors the outcome of several pending state property‑tax bills could reduce county revenues and threaten services; he also reviewed recent bids for dust control ($135,121.91) and a biennial gravel‑rocking contract ($32,175).
County Engineer Brian Carter told the Des Moines County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 3 that several pending property‑tax bills at the state level could reduce local revenue and ‘‘long‑term some significant loss of services to residents’’ if enacted as proposed. Carter said the county is monitoring legislation and preparing budget projections.
Carter briefed the board on two road‑maintenance contracts the board funds from the rural services fund. He said the low bid for the annual dust‑control program came in at $135,121.91, and described how the dust‑control schedule typically follows road rocking and seasonal conditions. He also reported that a bid for the county's alternating‑year gravel‑rocking program — which guarantees at least a full‑length application of rock every other year on county gravel roads — came in at $32,175 for the contracted sections this cycle.
Why it matters: Carter warned that if state action reduces the county's property‑tax revenue, programs such as dust control and the rocking schedule are among the services that would face cuts. ‘‘If and when it ever changes significantly, it will truly … the gravel roads will feel that impact,’’ Carter said, urging the board to factor potential revenue shifts into long‑range planning.
Carter said county staff budgeted roughly $1.3–1.4 million for rock this year and that timing for the work depends on spring conditions; rock must be placed before dust control in the operational sequence. He also noted the board has funded these programs because the secondary‑roads budget lacks the necessary funds.
Board action: The discussion preceded routine business; the board did not take any separate funding votes at the meeting beyond moving forward with the advertised contracts and standard procurement procedures.
Carter emphasized contingency planning: ‘‘We’ll see what comes out of [the legislature] and we’ll all adjust accordingly because that’s what we do.’’
Next steps: County staff said they will continue monitoring legislation and bring budget projections and any recommended adjustments to the board as details become available.
