Subdivision roads issue only part of equation

County commissioner Earl McNutt's prediction about maintaining roads in rural subdivisions seems to be coming true.

McNutt was out-voted a couple of weeks ago when commissioners decided 2-1 to begin maintaining three roads in the Calabria subdivision, despite his warning that other rural private subdivisions would ask for the same treatment.

Another developer was on the agenda for today's meeting of the county board, seeking clarification on the policy.

Former long-time commissioner Eldon Moore, used to address such requests with a response, paraphrasing, "if you don't want muddy roads, don't live in the country."

The Calabria subdivision was approved by city planners in 2000 because it is within the city's two-mile jurisdiction, but county standards are stiffer.

"There is no evidence that the Calabria roads were every built to any standards," Paul Wood said in 2011. "What physically happened does not match" the plat presented to and approved by the city.

Despite Eldon Moore's observation, it's not unreasonable for rural residents to expect to be able to drive to work and school.

But if the county is expected to have responsibility for maintaining roads, it must assume control and have assurances those roads meet county standards.

All that comes at a cost which must be borne by someone. Should that be the landowners themselves through an improvement district, the taxpayers in general or a combination of both?

Roads, of course, are only one part of an equation that also includes utilities and fire protection. In appropriate cases, how about annexation into the City of McCook itself?

In light of McCook's housing shortage, these issues need to be addressed by city and county officials as quickly and effectively as possible.