Board approves Ashland County Bridge/Culvert Aid policy; towns to share costs via special assessments

Caroline Twombly, the county finance supervisor, presented a proposed Bridge/Culvert Aid policy that would let towns and villages petition to receive county assistance covering 50% of the cost to replace eligible bridges or culverts. The program is funded by a levy assessed only on participating towns and villages; cities are ineligible to participate. Twombly explained petitions would be reviewed by the highway committee, which would forward recommended projects to the county board for final approval and levy adjustments.

Supervisors raised questions about who ultimately pays and how assessments will be calculated. Twombly said the petitions must be submitted before levying, the money is dedicated to approved projects and cannot be repurposed, and state law prevents placing a fixed monetary cap on the program. Board members also expressed equity concerns for high equalized‑value municipalities (for example, LaPointe and the city of Ashland) and asked whether towns could opt out; staff explained that state statute limits opt‑out options and that villages, by statute, can opt in or out differently because they exercise town powers. After debate and a roll‑call vote, the board adopted the policy; the chair announced the motion passed.

"It allows the county to help cover 50% of the costs of replacing an existing bridge or culvert," Twombly said when introducing the proposal, adding that petitions would be screened by the highway committee before board action. Highway committee members and supervisors said the program could ease financial pressure on small towns that otherwise lack capacity to fund major culvert or bridge replacements. The policy passed on the motion brought to the floor and recorded by roll call.