Future maintenance of 190th St. discussed

     What used to be shared maintenance and upkeep of 190^th Street near Monticello between the city and the county could change.

     After City Administrator Doug Herman visited with the Jones County Supervisors at the June 26 meeting, the board seemed to feel the county (Secondary Roads) was better suited to maintain the road.

     Before now, the city and the county, represented by County Engineer Derek Snead, had a written agreement concerning maintenance of 190^th, which is a little over 2 miles. In recent months, revisions to the agreement were suggested yet nothing has been approved.

     After some properties along 190^th were annexed into city limits, Herman said Snead chose to revisit the agreement.

     He said when any city or county looks at their road-use funding and where best to spend it, from Monticello’s standpoint, spending that money on 190^th isn’t a priority.

     “Zero city residents live on that road,” he said. “Our tax money is minimal.” Herman said the city receives $818 a year in property taxes off 190^th.

     The biggest city portion on that road is the airport. There is also some property the state owns, which does not generate taxes.

     “The county receives farm-to-market money for their portion of the road,” added Herman.

     He said any money the airport makes goes right back to into the business.

     “We could sever the airport, but I question whether it’s worth it,” suggested Herman of breaking off city-owned ground. “There would be a lot of paperwork involved, but that would not change the tax benefit for anyone.”

     There is a city sewer line that services the airport, which Herman felt could be handled with a 28E agreement.

     Supervisor Wayne Manternach commented that 190^th is the type of road that one entity should maintain, not two. “A 28E would relieve the county of that responsibility,” he said.

     Herman said the city would be the entity to maintain the sewer line.

     In reference to Herman’s comment that no city residents live on 190^th, Snead said there are quite a few city residents who travel on the road. “A generous portion of truck traffic take that route,” he said. “A very large portion of traffic goes to IAS, and they are a big tax base in the county situated within the city.”

     190^th isn’t the only gravel road that the county and Monticello share maintenance on. The maintenance amounts to rock, grading, and winter snow removal. However, Snead said the county does not share in maintenance of any other gravel roads in the county.

     Supervisor Joe Oswald said he’s been contacted by residents on 190^th asking who’s responsible for maintenance and upkeep. He said the division of duties is not clear.

     “It makes everyone look bad,” commented Manternach.

     The board agreed the easiest way to go about it is to have Secondary Roads maintain the entire stretch of 190^th St., with an agreement in place that Monticello will maintain the city’s sewer line.

     “I think that would be cleanest thing long-term,” said Supervisor Jon Zirkelbach.

     “That way this gravel road is maintained the same way as other county gravel roads,” added Manternach.

     Herman said he would pass the information onto the city council for their input.