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Commission adopts highway department five‑year plan and debates 2027 budget priorities including road equipment
Summary
The commission adopted the highway department's five‑year plan (required for SD DOT grants), authorized staff signatures on state forms, and spent substantial time reviewing the 2027 provisional budget with debate on a proposed paver purchase and possible $550,000 savings to balance the budget.
The Clay County Commission approved a resolution adopting the Highway Department's five‑year plan — a required document to remain eligible for South Dakota DOT bridge and replacement grants — and authorized staff to complete and sign the state's application forms.
Highway staff described the plan as the county's annual priority list for road and bridge projects and indicated they had not received any public testimony opposing the plan at the hearing. After a motion and roll call, the commission adopted the plan; staff will bundle the signed form and forward it to the SD DOT as required.
Later in the meeting, commissioners conducted a detailed review of draft 2027 budgets. The highway director outlined capital proposals and maintenance programs, including options for microsurfacing, chip sealing, and a potential paver purchase. The director said acquiring a new paver with modern electronics could reduce future contract costs and enable in‑house microsurfacing on several miles, potentially saving several hundred thousand dollars over multiple years.
Commission discussion focused on whether to keep or remove an optional $550,000 line item in the highway budget to balance provisional numbers. Commissioners also examined professional services, supplies, and fuel cost assumptions. Finance staff reminded the board that the county must adopt a provisional budget by statute and can make adjustments through late summer before final adoption.
Routine permits and payments approved during the meeting included a driveway/entrance permit and payment of a local invoice for street marking. The board also approved vouchers and accounts payable by voice vote and adjourned after scheduling follow‑up budget work and future meeting dates.
What happens next: Staff will file the signed five‑year plan with SD DOT and continue work with department heads to refine the provisional 2027 budget; commissioners said they will aim to present a balanced provisional budget in time for statutory deadlines and to continue the budget discussion at upcoming meetings.
