Highway superintendent reports truck deliveries, 2026 budget and chip‑seal plans

Du Bois County highway staff reported progress on equipment procurement, presented a 2026 budget draft and summarized chip‑seal paving activity at the July 21 commission meeting. Highway staff said two replacement single‑axle dump trucks were ordered from Laramie Truck Buddies of Oulton, Indiana, after a prior supplier repeatedly pushed delivery dates. Staff reported one truck will arrive in about six weeks and the other in about 10 weeks, and that each purchase included a $2,500 price decrease and no shipping charge, which staff described as a cost savings. The highway superintendent presented a draft 2026 budget for commissioners’ review and said line‑item remarks explain changes; the board gave consent to forward the draft to county council for approval. Staff noted a small engineer line decrease offset by a 40% allocation on a local bridge item and a 1% longevity step for an employee. Chip‑seal work for the 2025 season is complete, staff said, and they will consider County Road 650 South (just north of the Holland area) for chip‑seal or an upgrade in the 2026 program if scheduling allows. Commissioners approved a contract change order for Woodland Hills subdivision project number 25‑02, reflecting wage and service adjustments, and approved a temporary road closure request for the Saint Anthony Fire Department street festival on Aug. 16. Staff said they are continuing site searches for a Holland recycling and trash location and may pursue a short‑term lease while appraisal and purchase processes proceed. Background: highway operations include routine equipment replacement, seasonal pavement preservation programs and coordination with towns for temporary road closures.