If developer Mike Stultz is willing to pave the road leading to a new housing subdivision northwest of Lawrence, Douglas County commissioners are willing to finance the road’s care.

Commissioners agreed Monday to accept Stultz’s offer to surface a 0.6-mile section of East 900 Road, to connect U.S. Highway 40 just west of the South Lawrence Trafficway with his undeveloped Ranch Estates subdivision at North 1663 Road.

County officials had estimated the surfacing to cost $34,000, but Commissioner Charles Jones said he was more concerned about the future.

With annual maintenance for blacktop roads figured at $7,224 a mile, he said, county taxpayers will be paying to care for a road that doesn’t have any homes yet — even with the promise of 13 estate-style homes, each priced higher than $300,000, on the way.

“We’re taking from the taxpayers to ensure Mr. Stultz a profit,” said Jones, the lone commissioner to oppose the plan. “It’s a rip-off.”