Teton County approves chip-seal contracts, discusses road staffing and solid-waste hauling transition

The Teton County Board of Commissioners approved several contracts on April 28 to prepare for the county’s 2025 chip-seal program and discussed road maintenance priorities and solid-waste hauling arrangements.

Contracts approved or authorized at the meeting include: - Idaho Asphalt Company Inc.: purchase, transport and spreading of asphalt oil for chip seal (piggyback bid) — not to exceed $186,000, to be paid from fund (233) 004-3085. Motion approved by voice vote. - Asphalt Systems Inc.: purchase, transport and spreading of polymer-modified oil for new chip-seal roads — not to exceed $160,600, paid from (233) 004-3085. Motion approved by voice vote. - Avail Valley (rock supplier): purchase of 305 tons of half-inch chips at $30/ton — total $9,150, to be paid from (233) 004-3085. Motion approved by voice vote. - Civil Science: Idaho Transportation Department local professional services agreement for construction engineering and inspection (CE&I) on North 500 West reconstruction project; agreement approved as presented.

Public Works Director Daryl Johnson outlined operational priorities: a required postponement of a road-validation hearing to meet state notice requirements (30-day notice), a grading push during moist weather, and the department’s staffing limits. Johnson said road crews are at near capacity in summer (8 people in field crews) and that grading with a water truck requires pulling staff from other summer projects; commissioners encouraged prioritizing maintenance when necessary.

Johnson also said the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has asked Teton County to assist with a chip-seal mobilization on State Highway 33 through Driggs; ITD offered reciprocal assistance such as providing rock, trucks, or striping help. He noted a local pilot stripe treatment on Old Jackson Highway and that any experimental striping would require FHWA approval and post-install monitoring.

Solid waste notes: the county received a single RFQ response for a crew building and scale house (Great West Engineering) and has been coordinating with the East Idaho Regional Solid Waste District on hauling. Beginning July 1 the district expects to handle hauling to Circular Butte until the new county solid-waste facility opens, which county staff now expect in the fall; staff said hauling costs will be reduced when the district takes over.

Nut graf: The board approved the material- and construction-related contracts needed to start the summer chip-seal program while asking staff to return with scheduling and cost details tied to crew allocation and budget implications.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to confirm IDWR/ITD coordination on specific items and to report back during budget hearings on staffing needs for road maintenance.