Worth County supervisors approve FY27 Secondary Roads DOT budget and five‑year construction plan

Chair called the Worth County supervisors meeting to order and moved to approve the Secondary Roads fiscal year 2027 DOT budget and the county's five‑year construction program. After a second, the board approved the package by voice vote and Chair declared the motion carried.

The Agency official who presented the item said the DOT budget figures mirror those filed with the county and highlighted a $1.5 million local construction amount included in the program. He said forecasts are conservative because state and federal bridge and DOT allocations beyond fiscal 2029 are uncertain and "we are running out of funding." He warned that continuing assumptions about federal aid could leave the program viable only as a three‑year plan unless revenue expectations change.

The presenter listed several near‑term projects: Partridge Avenue is estimated at about $1,000,000 to repave 3.8 miles; Lincoln 46 bridge was estimated at roughly $350,000 (to be paid locally and later reimbursed under 8(j) rules); Barton 21 is another bridge on the list; and Warbler Avenue paving was programmed with an estimated $1,500,000 in federal aid alongside a local match the presenter identified as roughly 1.3 (farm market funds). The presenter also noted an equipment line shown at $950,000 and forecasted a carryover balance of about $632,000 based on current spending projections.

Supervisors pressed on project priorities and local impacts. One committee member noted traffic growth near an auction site and tight curves at a nearby interchange, urging the board to consider major engineering work or right‑of‑way acquisition to improve safety. The Agency official said such curve‑straightening would be substantial engineering work and may require buying right‑of‑way and extensive drainage and shoulder work.

On pavement strategy, the presenter and supervisors discussed concrete versus asphalt for low‑traffic emergency routes. The Agency official gave recent bid ranges for standard asphalt (about $440–$570 per ton) and noted modified mixes can approach $700 per ton; he told the board oil price volatility makes long‑term cost forecasting uncertain.

The board approved the DOT budget and five‑year program by voice vote; Chair recorded a sequence of ayes and declared the motion carried. The presentation materials included color‑coded spreadsheets showing fiscal years 27–31 and a map keyed to projected accomplishment years. The board did not adopt additional amendments at the meeting; the presenter said staff will track lettings and adjust the program as new funding information becomes available.