Commissioners remove group insurance from highway fund to free $470,000 for roads

County leaders told highway staff they would take group insurance out of the highway fund to avoid exacerbating a projected shortfall, and would work to fund the insurance outside the highway 1176 account.

"We've decided to take the insurance out of the highway budget again," the chair told highway representatives when they arrived. County staff cited Baker Tilly estimates that the highway 1176 fund was projected to be about $350,000 in the red by the end of 2027 under current assumptions, and that shifting insurance out of that fund would free roughly $470,000 back into highway operations. Highway staff and commissioners discussed single-lane-mile reimbursements and limitations on restricted funds; several participants urged prompt follow-up so the highway superintendent could plan for replacement projects, emergency bridge work and equipment purchases.

Commissioners also discussed restrictions tied to levies and how some revenues (for example single‑lane mile distributions and community-crossing match money) are limited to construction and cannot be repurposed for wages or utilities. Highway staff said they were preparing an estimate to support any additional appropriations and urged clear guidance on timing so they could plan repair and replacement projects this construction season.