Deteriorated streets to be repairs after spring season

KINGMAN – Street Superintendent Jack Plaunty recently led Kingman City council members through an abbreviated report of the planned 15-year pavement preservation program that was covered in more detail in a Feb. meeting.

Voter defeat of a proposed sales tax increase for road maintenance last Nov. brings a new approach to funding repair of a much-crumbled community street network.

Plaunty reminded council members during their March 7 meeting that 51% of the city’s roughly 400-mile street system is in poor condition, with only 15% rated in good condition. He said repair and upgrade work is coming up after spring.

“We are again anticipating (spending) the $5 million this year, late summer and into fall to complete more pavement preservation,” Plaunty said. While displaying graphics during the council session, Plaunty said a 15-year plan to spend more than $70 million through 2038 should flip the script for the state of city streets.

“As you can see, we go from more than half of our roads in poor condition to 66% in good condition,” Plaunty said.

Vice Mayor Cherish Sammeli noted that a decision to spend more revenue held in reserve will help fund the road system upgrade.

“We have been asked as Council many times to spend down our reserves and why not put reserve dollars into our roads. ?We have listened and are doing exactly that, Sammeli said. ?“We are restrained as to how far we can send these reserves down and I think we are being fiscally responsible.”                    

Dave Hawkins