Fiscal Responsibility for Larimer County!
It is very important that a long range plan for Owl Canyon Road be developed. As County Commissioner I will work to this end.
First, it makes financially sense to improve Owl Canyon Road. As part of my eight point plan to address the County’s budget issues, I have proposed considering total life cycle cost in all budgeting decisions. In the case of Owl Canyon road, the County currently spends far more maintaining it as a gravel road than it would cost to maintain it if it were paved. Of course, paving the road is expensive. But in the long run, this is cheaper.
Secondly, Owl Canyon Road is currently the only significant east-west running corridor in the northern part of the County. We need such a corridor and if an alternate route is found to be more cost effective, the sooner it is identified the better.
Finally, with a long range plan in place, we can provide predictability. Requirements on future development can then be known and we can begin working to mitigate any adverse impacts on property owners along the Owl Canyon route.
I am still learning about the issues surrounding Owl Canyon Road. I want to hear from you so that as a plan for Owl Canyon Road is finalized we find the right balance of using tax dollars wisely, meeting the transportation needs of our citizens, and minimizing adverse impacts.