Jefferson County commissioners approved the highway department's request on Aug. 7 to purchase an oil-distributor truck with a larger tank to support upcoming chip-seal operations.

Highway staff presented two quotes that separated the truck chassis from the tank body. The chassis price was listed at $137,995. Staff said the option with a 3,000‑gallon tank and a 22‑foot spray bar totaled about $340,895, and that the 3,500‑gallon tank option came in at about $349,695 — roughly $8,800 more than the 3,000‑gallon configuration. Staff recommended the 3,500‑gallon tank option to reduce fill trips and improve daily productivity.

A motion to accept the bid for the oil-distributor truck with the 3,500‑gallon tank was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff said budgeted funds were available for the purchase.

Highway staff said the larger tank would reduce trips to refill by saving roughly 45 minutes per refill cycle and could shorten the chip‑seal schedule. Staff also described recent cooperative training with neighboring Scott County on a new chip‑seal spreader and said the department expects to begin countywide chip seal work starting Aug. 11.

Next steps: Staff will finalize purchase arrangements and take delivery; commissioners authorized acceptance of the bid and expenditure per the quotes presented at the meeting.