Brown County approves road reclamation contract, cuts asphalt depth and drops hot‑mix approaches; staff to seek quotes on roller purchase

Brown County commissioners approved a road reclamation and paving contract change during a regularly scheduled meeting after more than an hour of discussion about equipment, schedule and cost-savings.

The commission voted to reduce the planned asphalt thickness from 3 inches to 2 inches and to delete hot‑mix work on driveway approaches (alternate number 1), a change that commissioners said reduces the project’s price by roughly $25,530. Unnamed Commissioner, a Brown County commissioner, called for the roll call: "All in favor, say aye," and the motion carried with four aye votes.

The item began with the county’s road staff describing a vibratory compaction roller the department had rented from a vendor identified as Knutsen and reporting the vendor had offered to sell the machine to the county. "They offered to sell it to us for $3,700," Road Department staff said during the discussion. Another speaker later noted confusion over whether the correct figure was $3,700 or $37,000; commissioners directed staff to resolve the discrepancy through additional quotes rather than approve a purchase immediately.

County finance staff recommended following the county's informal solicitation policy before any purchase over the county threshold: "Since you do have a little time, under our informal solicitations, I think department head can get some quotes from, try to get quotes from 3 vendors for a similar thing," the staff member said. Commissioners instructed the road foreman or designated road staff to obtain comparative quotes on similar rollers and to report back.

Commissioners and road staff also discussed scheduling concerns if the contractor begins in May, with several commissioners noting the county’s own maintenance and hot‑patching schedule could overlap the contractor’s operations and require coordination. One commissioner emphasized the need for county crews to be available to respond quickly if contractor work blocks local access.

During debate, one commissioner proposed the specific motion: "To approve this contract with the change to make a 2 inches asphalt versus as is," and to include the alternate deleting the hot‑mix approach work. The motion was seconded and, after no further recorded opposition, approved.

Clarifying numbers and procurement next steps remain: commissioners asked staff to gather three vendor quotes for comparable rollers, to verify whether the roller at issue is $3,700 or $37,000, and to return with cost comparisons to ensure compliance with purchasing rules for purchases above the county threshold.

The commission moved on after the vote to the next agenda items listed for the meeting.