Washington County weighs secondary road funding

WASHINGTON — County Engineer Jacob Thorius told supervisors in no uncertain terms what his concerns were for secondary road pavement proposals at a work session Sept. 6.

“The overall idea of the project is fine, but how we finance and pay for the project is the biggest issue,” he said.

The discussion centered on a series of requested paving projects for roads south of Riverside along 135th Street and 140th Street, which would improve access to St. Anne’s, Stone Ridge Estates, and a proposed extension of Timberline Estates.

Thorius suggested 8-inch concrete pavement for much of the area, but said the county simply couldn’t afford to pay for that up front.

“We really don’t have a lot of cash available to cash-flow these all at once ourselves,” he said. “We’re going to have to take out a certificate to pay for this … it really boils down to what terms you gentlemen think are appropriate.”

While the county could seek out grants, Thorius said the road plans were unlikely to qualify.

“Based on past experience, I don’t see a grant as real feasible,” he said. “The odds of a receiving a grant to help with this are on the very low side. I just don’t think it fits the model of those who give out the grant money. That doesn’t mean we can’t take our time to apply for something.”

Instead, the county engineer suggested establishing a process for residents of the area to chip in. He said the county could create secondary road assessment districts, composed of land owners along the roads they hope to pave. Doing so would require a petition from at least 50% of those land owners, but would allow the county to assess homes in the district and set up funding agreements with the owners.

Such an agreement would have the landowners take on at least 50% of the cost of projects, likely paid over several years. With all the math worked out, Thorius said the typical homeowner at Stone Ridge would pay under $200 a year for 10 years under a 50-50 agreement.

“I don’t want to look callous, but that’s cheap,” he said. “That’s dirt cheap for the improvements you’re getting and the value that’s going to do to your house.”

Supervisor Bob Yoder said he expected homeowners to enthusiastically agree.

“I can’t picture any of the landowners protesting, I think they should jump on that in a heartbeat,” he said.

The asking amount could be higher, however. State code sets the county at a 50% maximum share of the cost, but it could go lower if it can convince residents to pay the difference.

Supervisor Marcus Fedler signaled that he was open to that approach, saying the investment would benefit the residents more than the county.

“Once it’s there, it’s the county’s responsibility to maintain it,” he said. “We’re going to check the shoulders, make sure the snow’s removed, we’re going to do all that stuff in the future. So to me, it’s like, yeah, you paid for the road, but you don’t have anything to worry about forever. The lifetime of the road is now the county’s responsibility.”

Some in the area believe Developer Todd Hahn, who owns the land of the proposed Timberline Estates part III subdivision, should chip in extra cash.

“The person who’s going to get the most out of whatever happens with this road is Todd Hahn himself, because his properties are going to … bring more money because the road’s been upgraded,” said Mary Ann Parton, who lives on 135th Street. “He’s getting the money, but I don’t know how much he’s putting into this.”

Thorius said Hahn would likely pay a sizable portion of any agreement through a secondary road assessment district, as the owner of so many lots.

“It’s 24 buildable lots, but it’s really 35 lots,” he said. “So I’m counting those in that total … it’s been a big driver of this.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com