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Trustees review 2026 pavement recommendations and cost estimates; board directs staff to seek county estimates
Summary
Public works staff presented two paving options for 2026 (approx. $324,394 and $158,610), described escalating paving costs and recommended priorities. Trustees directed staff to send the paving list to the county for formal estimates and return with figures and options at a subsequent meeting; estimates due by October 1 per county timeline.
Trustees reviewed a staff-recommended 2026 pavement list at the June 17 meeting and directed township staff to seek formal county estimates and return with updated costs and options.
What staff presented
Public works staff provided two paving packages: option A (streets in the Weathered Oaks and adjacent areas plus several small residential streets) with an approximate mill-and-fill cost of $324,394.30, and option B (Rentschler Estates Drive, Cumberland Lake and Conley Bottom) at about $158,610. Staff said those estimates are for mill-and-fill only and do not include base repairs, curb and gutter replacement, or concrete work, which would be additional.
Staff and engineers explained why costs have risen: recent paving projects used virgin asphalt in earlier years; today contractors mill and recycle asphalt and the useful life has shortened. One staff speaker said, “Now you're lucky to get 10 years out of the road,” adding that some subdivisions had only blackmat/overlay and will require base repair.
Budget context and funding
Township staff said they budgeted roughly $350,000 from the RID (road improvement fund) for paving in the 2026 draft budget and that the township has carryover from prior appropriations after large paving projects in 2024–2025. Funding sources discussed included permissive motor vehicle tax, gas tax, motor vehicle license tax and the RID. Staff emphasized concrete and curb work would require separate appropriation lines if trustees choose to pursue them.
Process, timing and direction
Trustees asked whether they could amend the list after receiving county estimates. Staff reviewed the county timeline: roads must be submitted by August 1 for county estimates; estimates would be returned by October 1; final township resolution is due by Dec. 1. Trustees instructed administrators to submit the paving list to the county to obtain formal estimates, and to return to the board with the engineer's figures and options for trimming the list if estimated costs exceed available funds.
Public comments and board concerns
Residents and trustees voiced concern about accelerating costs and deferred pavement needs. A resident asked why a newer street had been prioritized in a past paving project; staff replied that traffic patterns and current condition informed that selection. Trustees expressed concern about committing to large paving pledges without clear dedicated revenue and requested staff to determine whether the township could scale back after receiving estimates.
Ending
Staff will request county cost estimates and report back to trustees in July/August so the board can decide a final paving list and appropriation before the county deadline for the 2026 program.
