Commission authorizes joint-powers work to advance Buffalo Gap Extension

County engineering staff told the commission the Buffalo Gap Extension project is being programmed for construction but needs preliminary coordination with the U.S. Forest Service and a formal joint powers agreement (JPA) with neighboring counties before full engineering can proceed. "We'd like to proceed with the authorization from both commissions to proceed on that project," the presenter said, asking for authority to start scoping and environmental surveys.

Commissioners discussed the timing and potential cost impacts. The presenter said initial coordination and documentation work is not expected to exceed $20,000 at this stage. Chair (speaker 4) and other commissioners asked staff to draft a JPA template and bring it back for approval. The commission voted to move forward with a proposal for a JPA and authorized staff to start preliminary coordination, with the motion carrying unanimously.

The action is intended to allow the counties to complete environmental review, identify a route and then develop engineer estimates before committing to major construction spending. Staff said that if the federal review proceeds on schedule the project would be ready to advertise for bids in 2027; however the schedule depends in part on Federal Highway and Forest Service approvals.