The Renville County Board of Commissioners has approved one of its largest road construction efforts in years, adopting a five-year plan valued at an estimated $87.6 million. The plan, passed unanimously on Tuesday in Olivia, will require about $26 million in county bonding to move forward, marking an aggressive approach to addressing long-standing transportation needs.
Commissioners acknowledged that the bonding will affect local taxes but said the public response has been largely supportive. Commissioner Craig Carlson noted that many residents understand the situation, adding, “I think everybody will agree our roads need some help.”
The county’s preliminary property tax levy for the coming year was also set at $20.3 million, which is a 10% increase from 2025. Finance Coordinator Landon Padrnos explained that part of the increase is tied to preparing for future bonding obligations. To lessen the impact on taxpayers, the levy also factors in the planned use of reserve funds from the Human Services and Public Health departments.
The newly adopted road plan covers a wide range of projects scheduled between 2026 and 2031. It calls for 14 miles of full reconstruction, 125 miles of mill and overlay work, 14 miles of paving with new grade construction, and 9.5 miles of full-depth reclamation and paving. The plan also includes replacing 26 bridges during this period.
This comprehensive approach comes after a year of discussions about the growing list of unmet road needs in the county. Public Works Director Jeff Marlowe previously highlighted that the available funds from county state aid, local levy, and wheelage tax were not enough to cover all pressing projects. As a result, bonding was seen as the only viable option to tackle the backlog.
Renville County maintains 267 miles of roadway funded mainly by local property taxes, as well as 446 miles funded through the county state aid highway system. The state aid system, managed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, provides formula-based assistance to counties for construction, improvements, and maintenance of key roads. Across Minnesota, the system supports more than 30,700 miles of roadway, covering over two-thirds of county highway miles.
One of the highlights of the new plan is that it includes work on two arterial roads that were previously left off due to limited funding. These are County State Aid Highway 14, running from Olivia to the Kandiyohi County line, and County State Aid Highway 11, connecting the city of Renville to Minnesota Highway 23. Including these projects reflects the county’s commitment to ensuring critical routes are addressed as part of the long-term investment.
The commissioners emphasized that while the plan requires a significant financial commitment, the long-term benefits will be essential for safety, accessibility, and economic growth. The investment aims not only to catch up with overdue maintenance but also to strengthen the county’s infrastructure for decades to come.
