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County engineering outlines $24M bridge grant, Casa 21 and right‑of‑way costs in 2027 highway budget
Summary
County Engineer Justin Sorum presented the 2027 highway budget and described major construction plans including Casa 21 rehabilitation, a $2M Glendon Township bridge, and a $24M Georgetown Bridge grant; the board discussed right‑of‑way costs and striping funding.
County Engineer Justin Sorum presented the highway department’s 2027 budget July 14, outlining maintenance, construction, administration and shop expenditures and highlighting several large projects included in the five‑year plan.
Sorum said next year will be a "giant construction year," calling Casa 21 a major rehab project with associated bridge work. He also highlighted a planned Glendon Township bridge project (roughly $2,000,000) and a $24,000,000 grant secured with Polk and Norman Counties to replace the Georgetown Bridge. "Casaw 21 is gonna be a huge project for us," Sorum said, describing expected increased right‑of‑way acquisition costs tied to roadway widening.
Commissioners asked about intergovernmental payments, town road maintenance, wheelage tax and the formula used to determine city payments; Sorum said the county can provide detailed breakdowns and that some line items are in/out budget neutral. Sorum noted union contract changes (increased on‑call pay and boot reimbursements), higher materials costs (gravel) and expected increases in striping and seal coating for upcoming federal projects.
Board members suggested possible adjustments to right‑of‑way and striping allocations and directed staff to share more detail on wheelage and city payment formulas at a highway tracking meeting. No formal vote was required at the presentation.
