Smithville introduces new street superintendent; staff to seek $70,000 transportation-sales-tax amendment for repairs

Anthony Glenn, the city’s new street superintendent, was introduced during the Smithville work session and took questions from board members about an ambitious street-maintenance plan that staff says will require a budget amendment of about $70,000 to the transportation sales tax fund.

The city presented the request as an effort to move from short-term pothole patching toward more durable repairs. Staff said the purchase of a drag box (estimated at about $10,000) would allow crews to smooth and roll larger asphalt repairs instead of hand-blading patches, and that the city currently has $20,000 budgeted for asphalt material but expects to need roughly $40,000. Staff also cited a need for additional concrete funds (current line $12,000), a small covered storage area (estimated $5,000) to keep base-repair material dry, salt-dome repairs (about $3,000), hauling accumulated street debris to a landfill (about $7,500) and a crew office/crew-room remodel (about $7,500) as part of the package. Together, staff summarized those items and others as amounting to an approximate $70,000 amendment request; they said the amendment would be brought back for board approval at the next regular meeting.

Chuck (staff member) described changes Anthony has implemented and said crews are “invigorated” and excited to do more in-house work. Staff noted the city would bring the existing hazardous-sidewalk cost-share program back in-house to reduce contractor costs; that program is already funded and would not require additional appropriation in this amendment. At the meeting, Anthony Glenn said, “Good. Thank you all for having me. I look forward to seeing everyone again.”

Staff argued the upgrades would improve durability and rideability of repaired streets and reduce repeat visits to the same locations. They pointed to specific problem areas including Hills of Shannon and a bridge approach on Highway 180 where recurring patching has been required. Staff also discussed short-term winter-time fixes (cold mix) and said the work plan includes milling and overlaying certain commercial streets later this year.

The presentation made clear the requested $70,000 would come from the transportation sales tax fund; staff said that fund can absorb the increase and that the formal amendment would be presented for action at the board’s next meeting. No formal budget amendment vote was taken during the work session.

The work session conversation also covered operational changes: staff said they are updating personnel development plans, improving internal communication with the police department during snow operations, and exploring more objective pavement-condition tools for future planning. Board members praised the new supervisor’s engagement with residents and interdepartmental coordination.

Votes at this work session did not include a decision on the street amendment; staff explicitly said they would return with an agenda item for board approval.

Smithville staff provided the board with ballpark costs and the total amendment estimate but said a formal appropriation and vote would be required before any funds are spent.