Commissioners to discuss road plan

Antelope County Commissioners will look at potential road projects, Sept. 1, during the one- and six-year road plan hearing, scheduled for 9:30 a.m., in the commissioners’ meeting room.

Antelope County road boss Aaron Boggs said he is “not 100% sure” which projects will be approve.

Boggs and highway superintendent Brian McDonald, will share a list of current projects and future upgrades.

“Basically, we submit a wish list,” Boggs said.

Commissioners will determine which projects get the green light. The final plan will be submitted to the state, as required by Nebraska state statute, in order to receive highway allocation funds.

According to preliminary budget numbers, which will also be discussed during Tuesday’s meeting, $8,575,350 has been proposed for road and bridge fund disbursements for 2020-2021.

The county spent just over $3.62 million in 2018-2019, while in 2019-2020, actual disbursements totaled $5,390,578.73.

Approximately $2.6 million, the figure pledged for upgrades by TC Energy in a road-use agreement, is figured into the budget, according to Boggs.

Current roads included in the RUA include approximately 6.5 miles of gravel roads, between Orchard and the eastern edge of Neligh, which will be improved.

The budget hearing is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m.

According to the tax request hearing notice, the county will seek $6,104,344.33 in property tax funds. The levy is proposed at .251707, a 2% increase from last year.