Houston County board approves appointments, bridge funds, road paving bid and multiple equipment purchases

Houston County commissioners on Tuesday approved a slate of routine agenda items including two Planning Commission appointments, acceptance of local bridge replacement funds, a paving contract award and multiple budgeted equipment purchases.

Appointments: The board approved appointing Chase Munson to the Planning Commission for a three-year term beginning January 2025 and ending Dec. 31, 2027, and Franklin Hahn to a three-year term (2025'2027). Staff noted that Hahn's move to the Planning Commission will create a vacancy on the Board of Adjustment. Commissioners also approved issuing a public notice to advertise for that vacancy.

Bridge funding: Commissioners approved accepting local bridge replacement funds of $141,967.66 for project SAP-028-610-021, a bridge replacement on County Road 10 near the Chex Mill area. County staff said the replacement will shift the roadway curve about 15 to 20 feet south, replace the existing narrow bridge with a box culvert, add wider shoulders and improve side slopes.

Paving: The county awarded a paving contract for County Highway 2 to Dunn Blacktop. The low bid for the Houston County portion came in at $2,801,601.74, which staff said is roughly $30,000 above the engineer's estimate of $2,772,637.60 and within a percentage point of that estimate. Staff recommended approval.

Equipment purchases and budget items: Commissioners approved a group of budgeted equipment purchases (items 6'10 on the agenda). Staff said those purchases were included in the 2025 budget and noted delivery lead times for some equipment are long (often 12'24 months). Approved items included: - Tandem-axle plow truck (cab/chassis) from the state bid, $158,517.18. - Truck box, plow and sander package (Towmaster) for the tandem axle truck, $210,678 (includes attachments). - A used steel-drum roller, up to $15,000, for compaction on gravel and shoulder work. - A dedicated truck (used, up to $50,000) for weed spraying; staff will evaluate available units and may have a local staff member inspect out-of-area vehicles before purchase. - Budgeted shop items: air compressor ($12,271), a trailer with racking (about $22,026.94), soil conditioner ($12,083.13), and two 40'x8' storage containers (approx. $17,600 for two). Staff recommended purchasing two containers to protect signs and materials from UV and weather.

Payments and other items: Commissioners reviewed and approved vendor payments and commissioner warrants. County staff explained that a sheriff's vehicle repair was covered in part by insurance with a deductible handled in county accounts.

Other business: Staff reported the Planning Commission had forwarded a draft cannabis ordinance for the board's ordinance process and that the county is beginning preliminary work on a solar ordinance. Commissioners also received updates on assessor valuation appeals and internal parcel-splitting processes; staff said agricultural valuation increases were moderated after appeals with the Department of Revenue.

Closed session: The board went into closed session for continuing negotiations; no final decisions were announced when the board returned.

Votes at a glance - Approve agenda: outcome approved (recorded aye/oppose phrasing in transcript; mover/second not specified). - Approve minutes (Jan. 21): outcome approved. - Approve consent agenda (2 items): outcome approved. - Appoint Chase Munson to Planning Commission (term 2025'2027): outcome approved. - Appoint Franklin Hahn to Planning Commission (term 2025'2027): outcome approved. - Advertise Board of Adjustment vacancy created by Hahn: outcome approved. - Accept local bridge replacement funds (SAP-028-610-021) $141,967.66: outcome approved. - Award paving bid for County Highway 2 to Dunn Blacktop $2,801,601.74: outcome approved. - Purchase tandem-axle plow truck (state bid) $158,517.18: outcome approved. - Purchase truck box and attachments (Towmaster) $210,678: outcome approved. - Approve shop budget items (air compressor, trailer, soil conditioner, two storage containers): outcome approved. - Purchase used steel-drum roller up to $15,000: outcome approved. - Approve purchase of a used truck for weed spraying up to $50,000: outcome approved. - Approve payments and warrants: outcome approved.

Ending: Staff will proceed with the approved purchases and contract work; the airport T-hangar procurement and other multi-step items will return to the board with recommendations or contract awards as bids and grant information are finalized.