Polk County gets a modest RMA boost; county continues roadside-spray trial to reduce mowing costs

Polk County supervisors discussed road funding and roadside maintenance during the Oct. 21 meeting after representatives returned from the Big 10 highway meeting. Attendees reported an 11.6 percent increase in the states RMA allocation for the region; Polk Countyare staff said the county
llocation rose by about $66,000 from a longstanding $1.3 million base.

A county highway official told supervisors the state model for unrestricted funding suggests Polk Countyould receive approximately $2.2 million under a fully realized model; staff said the recent increase moves counties toward a target of 60–70 percent of that model but that the one-time increase is modest for road budgets.

Separately, supervisors discussed a roadside vegetation-management practice intended to reduce mechanical mowing. Staff said the county sprayed most roads north of Highway 8 this year (with one short exception) and found the cost of spraying to be roughly one-third of mechanical mowing. The treatment reportedly reduced mowing needs through the summer despite heavy rains. Next year, staff plan to expand the spray program south of Highway 8 and monitor resident feedback.

Supervisors noted that the spray kills broadleaf weeds but does not affect certain clumping grasses that have grown taller in ditches; the county is testing alternative sprays in some places to address that species. The transcript records the discussion as informational; no formal board action on road funding or the spray program was recorded at the meeting.

Supervisor and staff remarks indicated optimism about incremental state funding but acknowledged the $66,000 increase will not cover large road needs. Highway staff encouraged patience for larger increases expected in the second year of the state biennium.