Buffalo County approves mileage, training and modest pay bump for highway superintendent as FEMA projects proceed

Buffalo County commissioners on an otherwise routine meeting approved adding mileage to the contract of Highway Superintendent Tanner, authorized his attendance at an upcoming highway short course in Deadwood and approved a temporary $100-per-week pay increase while multiple FEMA-backed road and bridge projects progress.

The moves come as the county advances FEMA-funded repairs from recent storms, including work at Rock Crossing, the Larson Bridge and a preservation bridge. Commissioners and county staff said the FEMA reimbursement process is under way but unpredictable: staff described engineering and hydrology work for Larson Bridge as roughly half finished while the county waits for state and federal approvals and eventual reimbursement.

Why it matters: County highway operations are carrying immediate expenses for emergency repairs, debris removal and bridge engineering while FEMA reimbursements are pending. Commissioners framed the contract changes and the short training course as steps to support the county employee handling grants and project coordination.

The contract amendment to add mileage was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; commissioners also approved Tanner’s conference attendance after the board received supporting documentation. Commissioners instructed Tanner to provide receipts and to ask the conference to directly bill the county for lodging when possible. The board approved a temporary $100-per-week increase for Tanner, to start while grant workload is high. Commissioners discussed the possibility of larger increases later but settled on the smaller increment for now.

County staff reported that three FEMA project approvals are in progress. The Rock Crossing repair is expected to be bid in April; Larson Bridge hydrology work is nearly complete and engineering design is underway. County staff said payment from FEMA may take weeks to more than a year, citing other counties’ experiences. Commissioners discussed whether to pay some consultant or engineering invoices up front and await FEMA reimbursement; the board directed staff to continue processing bills and track reimbursements.

Commissioners also discussed gravel sourcing for road projects. The highway office reported an option to purchase a 10,000-ton pile of gravel priced at about $8.50 per ton; commissioners weighed buying only what is needed versus purchasing the entire pile.

Board direction and follow-up: Commissioners asked Tanner and county finance staff to provide supporting receipts and a clearer breakdown of travel and contract terms for future authorization. The board asked staff to finalize a formal written contract spelling out deliverables and scope for Tanner’s expanded duties. The board also asked the auditor and treasurer to track FEMA reimbursements and present timing and line-item implications when payments arrive.

Ending: Commissioners reiterated that FEMA reimbursements will drive much of the timing for highway project payments and that the approved mileage, short-course attendance and temporary pay increase are intended to support ongoing project management while the county completes engineering, bidding and reimbursement steps.