Stevens County authorizes advance of 2027 state-aid to cover 2026 highway shortfall
May 11, 2026 | Stevens County, Minnesota
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Stevens County commissioners approved a resolution May 5 authorizing the advance of 2027 county state-aid highway funds to cover contractor payments in 2026 after the highway department reported a budgeting shortfall.
County engineer Todd Elmerson told the board the department had identified an approximate $412,000 shortfall in its 2026 state-aid account arising from an error in a budgeting spreadsheet. He said the department verified eligibility to advance funds from the 2027 state-aid allotment and requested authorization to advance up to $1,060,644.08 to cover payments as contractors bill the county.
“After reviewing our records, we traced that back to an error in one of our budgeting spreadsheets,” Elmerson said. He told commissioners the advance would be drawn only as needed and that it would be reduced from the 2027 allotment once payments were settled.
Elmerson also said the department expected a $1.75 million bridge-bonding project would not move forward in 2027, leaving adequate capacity in the county’s 2027 program to absorb the advance without harming next year’s planned work.
Commissioner Popetzky moved to approve the resolution; Commissioner Staples seconded. The board discussed project timing and cash‑flow implications and approved the resolution by voice vote.
The authorization allows staff to draw from the 2027 construction account to pay 2026 project bills as needed; the county will reduce the 2027 allotment by the final advanced amount once contractor payments are complete.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution to advance county state-aid highway funds from the 2027 construction account to pay 2026 project payments: approved by voice vote (motion by Commissioner Popetzky; second by Commissioner Staples).
- Award of 2026 aggregate-base road project (Casa 20) to Wagner Companies, $117,640: approved by voice vote.
- Award of 2026 seasonal shouldering project to Joel Raddick Construction, $88,000: approved by voice vote.
- Authorization to dispose of old tanker truck (unit #25, 1984) by online auction: approved by voice vote.
The board also approved the highway department’s annual report and several contract awards that staff said will allow pavement and shoulder work to proceed this season. Elmerson told the board the department plans a large paving year — about 60,000 tons of asphalt — and that construction timing and detours will be coordinated with the contractor to minimize impacts.
The board’s formal resolution authorizes staff to advance funds only as necessary and requires that final amounts be reconciled against the 2027 state-aid allotment.
County engineer Todd Elmerson told the board the department had identified an approximate $412,000 shortfall in its 2026 state-aid account arising from an error in a budgeting spreadsheet. He said the department verified eligibility to advance funds from the 2027 state-aid allotment and requested authorization to advance up to $1,060,644.08 to cover payments as contractors bill the county.
“After reviewing our records, we traced that back to an error in one of our budgeting spreadsheets,” Elmerson said. He told commissioners the advance would be drawn only as needed and that it would be reduced from the 2027 allotment once payments were settled.
Elmerson also said the department expected a $1.75 million bridge-bonding project would not move forward in 2027, leaving adequate capacity in the county’s 2027 program to absorb the advance without harming next year’s planned work.
Commissioner Popetzky moved to approve the resolution; Commissioner Staples seconded. The board discussed project timing and cash‑flow implications and approved the resolution by voice vote.
The authorization allows staff to draw from the 2027 construction account to pay 2026 project bills as needed; the county will reduce the 2027 allotment by the final advanced amount once contractor payments are complete.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution to advance county state-aid highway funds from the 2027 construction account to pay 2026 project payments: approved by voice vote (motion by Commissioner Popetzky; second by Commissioner Staples).
- Award of 2026 aggregate-base road project (Casa 20) to Wagner Companies, $117,640: approved by voice vote.
- Award of 2026 seasonal shouldering project to Joel Raddick Construction, $88,000: approved by voice vote.
- Authorization to dispose of old tanker truck (unit #25, 1984) by online auction: approved by voice vote.
The board also approved the highway department’s annual report and several contract awards that staff said will allow pavement and shoulder work to proceed this season. Elmerson told the board the department plans a large paving year — about 60,000 tons of asphalt — and that construction timing and detours will be coordinated with the contractor to minimize impacts.
The board’s formal resolution authorizes staff to advance funds only as necessary and requires that final amounts be reconciled against the 2027 state-aid allotment.
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