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Daniels County commissioners debate cattle‑guard policy, weigh liability and cost
Summary
Commissioners discussed a proposed cattle‑guard policy that would set inspection and performance standards, debated whether the county or property owners should be responsible for outdated crossings, and asked staff to collect examples from neighboring counties before acting.
Daniels County commissioners spent extensive time Oct. 21 debating a proposed cattle‑guard policy that would require inspections and set minimum standards for cattle crossings on county roads. The review examined whether existing cattle guards that fail the new standard should be replaced, who bears installation and maintenance costs, and potential liability if a crossing fails after the county inspects or reinstalls it.
Board members raised the practical and legal concerns of mandating upgrades for long‑standing crossings used by local ranchers. One commissioner noted vendor quotes that put a custom cattle guard at roughly $200 per foot, and another cited a local example where replacement could cost about $5,000–$6,000. Legal counsel and county staff advised that a formal petition process (used elsewhere) often requires petitioners to accept financial responsibility for installation but that county inspection and maintenance practices can reduce exposure to negligence claims.
The board asked staff to gather model policies and petition forms from Valley, Roosevelt and other nearby counties; commissioners agreed to table final action until they review comparative examples and estimated costs for inspection cycles. A new agenda item on the cattle‑guard policy will be scheduled next month for further discussion.
