Road and Bridge staff presented vehicle and equipment requests during the budget workshop and commissioners discussed ways to reduce the immediate tax impact by delaying or scaling purchases.

Superintendent Justin Latham (Road and Bridge) presented a vehicle/equipment list that, as submitted, would raise department spending by roughly $500,000 year‑over‑year. Commissioners discussed cutting the $260,000 wheel loader from the capital package or reducing its scope to lower the near‑term impact on the tax rate. Several commissioners advocated a replacement schedule that cycles a small number of vehicles each year rather than purchasing multiple heavy assets in a single year.

Commissioners and road staff reviewed options including: (1) remove or defer the $260,000 wheel loader from the FY2026 capital list; (2) purchase fewer pickups this year and consider compensating a superintendent using a personal vehicle case‑by‑case while the county evaluates a pooled‑vehicle policy; or (3) lease equipment rather than purchasing to spread the cost across multiple budgets. One practical option discussed was to buy three pickups and pay a mileage/stipend to a superintendent who uses a personal vehicle for county duty, or buy four pickups and not pay a stipend. The court did not adopt a final purchase decision during the workshop.

Staff and commissioners discussed fuel and materials price volatility and the effect on road work. Road and Bridge asked for some contingency in materials to respond to washouts and flood repairs; commissioners suggested lowering the capital purchase total (for example, trimming the loader request) and shifting more toward vehicle replacement to address high‑mileage aging pickups. Commissioners also discussed establishing a scheduled replacement plan so that large procurement needs do not all fall in one year.

Why it matters: Road and Bridge purchases affect service continuity on county roads and the county tax rate. Commissioners said they favored spreading equipment purchases over multiple years and leaving contingency for urgent washout repairs.

No final appropriation or formal vote was taken; staff said they would return with revised equipment prioritization.