For what is believed to be the first time in Meeker County’s history, the county will issue bonds to cover costs of roadway improvements.

The County Board last week approved issuing $3 million in bonds repayable over a five-year period.

Most of the money will go toward the resurfacing of CSAH 18 in the southeast portion of the county.

That contract was let Aug. 12 to Knife River Construction of Sauk Rapids, Minn., for $2,226,330, the lowest bid among three received on the project.

The county felt it needed to bond for the road improvements because of the funding crunch affecting county highway departments across the state due to spiraling costs of road maintenance.

County Administrator Paul Virnig stressed that repayment of the bonds will not come as a result of a local tax levy.

Instead the county is, in effect, borrowing against future state road fund allotments. These state funds will increase some during the next few years due to the recent passage by the Legislature of the gas tax increase.

While the gas tax increase will give Meeker County more funding for highway improvements, it likely won’t be enough to cover the costs of maintenance and repairs.

“We expect to be about $1 million short next year,” Highway Engineer Ron Mortensen told the board in June.

Read more about county road work in the Aug. 14 Independent Review.