Who's responsible for road improvements?

"It's bumpy, it's dusty and it's horrible."

That's how Clearwater resident Chellie Dixon described an approximate 100-yard section of East Nebraska Street, when talking with Antelope County Commissioners, Tuesday, that county road crew members "ground down" in 2020,

According to Antelope County road boss, Aaron Boggs, county officials spoke with Clearwater trustees that year to discuss plans about that particular stretch of road and 516 Avenue, from Highway 275, north to the first bridge.

The problem: Boggs wasn't informed that the area on Nebraska Street had been annexed by the village in 2015.

The road boss said even if county officials had been informed of annexation, "it may have been ground up anyway," due to poor conditions.

During the same discussion, Cole and Amy Scott, who reside south of the bridge on 516 Avenue, brought visual aids to stress how dirt from the road sifts into the house's ventilation system. One held a furnace filter, which had been installed a week ago, and the other a dust cloth, coated with the reddish dirt which has been a source of contention with area residents since the road was converted from asphalt to gravel.

Cole Scott also noted that a culvert was covered during a recent paving project, from the bridge, north.

"It's a major drainage route," he said.

Boggs said a county road crew will work on the culvert.

Discussion about hot mix or cold mix ensued, with no firm decision made. Rough estimates for fixing the section of Nebraska Street were around $25,000, according to Boggs. The 516 Road project could cost up to $200,000.

County highway superintendent Brian McDonald asked Clearwater officials Kelly Kerkman and Cody Kester if the village had funds available to pay for the paving project.

Kerkman responded no and asked if the two entities could work together on a payment solution.

McDonald said the village could borrow from a bank, request a bond or a paving assessment.

What happens going forward?

County attorney Joe Smith said since the annexation paperwork wasn't filed on time, the county doesn't have liability.

Kerkman said the village board will discuss the issue at Monday's meeting and Henery said the county will continue to look at payment options.