County staff told the commissioners Oct. 31 they intend to apply for federal and state grants to fund maintenance and limited improvements on County Road 227 (Lower Fox Creek Road) and to advance a multi-bridge rehabilitation project.

Staff said the county has applied to the Kansas Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) for funds to "freshen" an access road serving the Tallgrass National Preserve and specifically to do preventative bridge maintenance, ditch work, tree removal and resurfacing. The Nature Conservancy, which owns the adjacent land, has provided written support for discussions and indicated willingness to work with the county on right-of-way questions, staff said.

"This is federal money, through the Federal Lands Access Program," staff said, noting the state's block allocation from the program and that the state distributes grants competitively. Staff described the project as largely preservation and drainage work rather than a full reconstruction.

Separately, staff described a larger Build Kansas / Bridge Investment Program initiative that would involve seven bridges and preliminary engineering. That application would require a benefit-cost analysis; staff estimated a reasonable cost for the analysis at $20,000 to $50,000 (the federal proposal included a $200,000 line-item for benefit-cost work), and explained that demonstrating traditional return on investment is challenging for low-population counties.

Staff requested a letter of support from the commission to include with the FLAP application and said they would draft a county letter for commissioners' signatures. One commissioner indicated support for the project and for helping identify county funding if needed: "We're cool with me coming up with money for the Lower Fox Creek Road bridge and project," staff recorded.

No formal appropriation or final commitment of county funds was voted at the Oct. 31 meeting; staff will return with draft letters, cost estimates and requests for formal action if needed.