Cavalier County weighs funding options for County 55 gorge and advances road projects

Chairman David Zeis and the Cavalier County Board of Commissioners heard options March 19 for the County 55 gorge project and for this year’s gravel work, including a possible ND DOT Flexible Road Funding application and other state and federal sources.

Jeff Daley of engineering firm KLJ told commissioners the County 55 gorge project could be financed by combining multiple funding streams and that the county must wait to learn whether the Flexible Road Funding application to the North Dakota Department of Transportation is successful. Daley also reviewed alternative project scales and options if the county receives varying levels of funding. Commissioner Greg Goodman raised Disaster Supplemental Funding the Job Development Authority is pursuing as another potential source.

Road Supervisor Terry Johnston and Road Foreman Sheldon Romfo outlined the county’s proposed gravel projects and opened gravel and equipment bids to be compiled by Johnston. Commissioners reviewed and approved an updated Building Contractor’s Agreement for the Vang building; the motion to approve the updated agreement was made by Commissioner Greg Goodman and seconded by Commissioner Stanley Dick and the record states the motion "carried."

Commissioners also agreed to re-allocate a portion of $88,000 in Local, Area, and Township Correction Funds (LATCF) for gravel and dirt work around the new Langdon shop, a motion made by Commissioner Stanley Dick and seconded by Austin Lafrenz that was recorded as carried. The board decided to complete dirt work and gravel this year and defer adding a cement apron pending future review.

Sheldon Romfo said the county will list a 1999 Tahoe and other retired road vehicles on the Moore online auction. Commissioners also opted to retain the old Langdon shop for up to one year as potential cold storage rather than disposing of it immediately.

Next steps: commissioners directed staff to place dust-control options for the gorge and a temporary gravel and drainage plan on the next meeting agenda and to continue compiling funding application materials for County 55.