When it comes to budgeting for county roads, Wise County Commissioner Colby Shawn tackles a three-part challenge: Road failures are increasing, costs continue to rise, and public expectations remain high. “We have limited dollars but unlimited needs,” Shawn shared during a presentation on county roads during April’s West Texas Conference. “That is the reality.” While … [Read more...] about Commissioners Tackle Tough Road Question: How Do We Do More With Less?
County Roads
Resolution Spotlight: Optional County Road and Bridge Fee
*** Click here for the audio version.*** According to Texas Transportation Code Section 502.401, Subchapter H, Optional Fees, “The Commissioners Court of a county by order may impose an additional fee, not to exceed $10, for registering a vehicle in the county.” The $10 maximum was established in 1991. County Impact Grimes County collects the $10 fee, which is deposited … [Read more...] about Resolution Spotlight: Optional County Road and Bridge Fee
The Good Roads Our Counties Need
Picture a grain elevator in rural Missouri on a harvest morning. A line of loaded semis snakes back a quarter mile. Each loaded truck then travels county roads to reach the rail silo, the barge, and the world market. The farmer’s margin – already thin – depends on that road holding under 80,000 pounds of corn. Now picture that road after a wet spring: a frost-heave crack … [Read more...] about The Good Roads Our Counties Need
Road Use Agreements
Section 251.153, Transportation Code permits a Commissioners Court to “establish load limits for any county road or bridge." This same power is reiterated in Section 621.301 but provides an exception for vehicles that have obtained certain state permits. In Scurlock Permian Corp. v. Brazos County, 869 S.W. 2d 478 (Tex. App. – Houston (1st Dist.) 1993, writ denied), the courts … [Read more...] about Road Use Agreements
Texas County Road Maintenance: Survey Report
Counties continue to face ever-increasing challenges in providing road networks that meet the transportation needs of commerce and industry while maintaining a reliable and safe system for their county residents. Many of these county roads handle traffic volumes and gross weights in excess of some of the highways maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation … [Read more...] about Texas County Road Maintenance: Survey Report