Two Township Culvert Replacements Move Forward Under 50/50 Funding Formula

Montgomery County Board Roads & Bridges Committee | May 6 Meeting

Article Summary: The Montgomery County Board Roads & Bridges Committee on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, recommended approval of two resolutions appropriating county funds for 50/50 culvert replacement projects — a $16,000 project on North 23rd Avenue spanning Raymond and Rountree Townships, and a $35,000 project on East 17th Road in Irving Township.

Township Culvert Projects Key Points:

• Resolution 2026-06 funds half of an estimated $16,000 culvert replacement on North 23rd Avenue, split between Raymond Road District (34.15%) and Rountree Road District (15.85%) for the township share.
• Resolution 2026-07 funds half of an estimated $35,000 culvert replacement on East 17th Road in Irving Township, with Irving Road District covering the other half.
• Both projects use the county’s standard 50/50 cost-share arrangement, drawing the county portion from the County Aid to Bridge Fund.
• Both motions passed unanimously.

HILLSBORO — The Montgomery County Board Roads & Bridges Committee on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, voted unanimously to recommend approval of two resolutions appropriating county funds to support culvert replacement projects in three townships.

The first resolution, Resolution 2026-06, appropriates funds from the County Aid to Bridge Fund to cover one-half of an estimated $16,000 project to replace a culvert on North 23rd Avenue in Raymond and Rountree Townships. Committee Chair Ethan Murzynski explained the unusual cost split: because the culvert lies nearly on the border between Raymond and Rountree Townships, the two townships agreed to divide the township half of the project. Under that arrangement, Montgomery County is responsible for 50% of the cost, Raymond Road District for 34.15% and Rountree Road District for 15.85%. The motion was made by committee member Chad Ruppert and seconded by Dr. Patty Whitworth.

The second resolution, Resolution 2026-07, appropriates funds from the same County Aid to Bridge Fund to cover one-half of an estimated $35,000 project to replace a culvert on East 17th Road in Irving Township. Irving Road District will cover the other half. The motion was made by Keith Hancock and seconded by Ruppert.

Standard 50/50 Formula

Both projects rely on the county’s standard 50/50 cost-share approach for township culvert and bridge work — a long-standing arrangement that lets road districts tackle infrastructure needs they would otherwise struggle to fund alone while leveraging the county’s larger bridge fund. The North 23rd Avenue project is the more unusual of the two because of the precise percentage split between Raymond and Rountree townships, which Murzynski said reflected the culvert’s near-border position.

Other Highway Department Business

The committee also recommended low bids for the 2026 County Motor Fuel Tax oil letting and the 2026 Township MFT oil letting. Specific dollar figures and contractors selected through the bid review were not detailed in the minutes.

Murzynski reported that the first of two 2027 Western Star 47X tandem dump trucks with snow plow and tailgate spreader has arrived in Troy, where it was inspected and approved by County Engineer Cody Greenwood. The truck will be sent off to have the snow plow and tailgate spreader attached. The second 2027 Western Star truck should arrive this summer, with both expected to be ready for road use by fall 2026.

The committee was also briefed on guardrail damage caused by an uninsured motorist in Walshville Township. Murzynski said he is in talks with the State’s Attorney to seek compensation but warned recovery is unlikely.

Plains Solar Agreement Deferred

The committee deferred action on the Plains Solar Road Use Agreement after the State’s Attorney Brian Shaw and County Engineer Cody Greenwood reached different conclusions about the appropriate surety bond amount, and after committee members raised safety concerns about the proposed entrance point. Board member Evan Young, who attended the meeting, told the committee the proposed entrance is surrounded by large trees and dense underbrush and offers limited visibility from the county road. The committee agreed to take no action until next month to allow further discussion of how to improve visibility at the entrance.

The Highway Department is also advertising for a replacement front lobby secretary/payroll clerk; several applications have already been submitted, Murzynski said.