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Bennett County discusses Burns Road repair, highway staffing and procurement rules; volunteer engineer offers help
Summary
Commissioners reviewed progress and next steps for Burns Road repair, heard a local licensed civil engineer volunteer to assist with scope and contract work, and discussed highway procurement rules — including three-quote requirements for fuel and use of state bid — plus requests to gravel new culverts.
Commissioners discussed county roadwork and highway procurement at the March 5, 2025 meeting, including an update on Burns Road repair, highway staffing and controls on purchasing.
County staff said the first mile of a five‑mile Burns Road rebuild was complete and suggested preparing a scope of work to bid the remaining four miles. The commissioners noted potential easement issues that would have to be resolved before work could proceed and asked staff to draft a clear, biddable scope.
James Ainsley, who identified himself during public comment as a licensed civil engineer with nine years’ experience at the South Dakota Department of Transportation local government office, offered to volunteer time to help write contracts and provide sample scopes to make the project biddable. Ainsley said he lives in Bennett County and could assist after hours or on weekends if the commission finds the assistance useful.
Commissioners and staff also discussed highway department staffing: whether a budgeted highway superintendent and secretary could be funded from existing salary lines and how to account for wages in the county road fund (201 fund). The discussion included a review of the road fund salary line showing a beginning budget figure and questions about available balance.
Procurement practices for fuel and equipment were addressed. Staff restated that when a state bid is unavailable, the county typically obtains three quotes for petroleum purchases and documents the company names, dates and quotes; the low quote is used and the quotes accompany the invoice for payment. Commissioners noted that emergency purchases (for example, a snowblower acquired during an emergency) may be done under the emergency exception but staff should still attempt to obtain multiple quotes when feasible.
A commissioner asked county crews to add gravel on two recently installed culvert approaches because the exposed bottoms are slick when wet; staff acknowledged the request and said they would follow up.
No binding contract award was made at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to develop the Burns Road scope, research easements, coordinate with volunteers and proceed with standard procurement documentation for fuel and equipment.
