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Commissioners discuss recent paving damage, wheel-tax debate and broadband right‑of‑way concerns
Summary
Jefferson County officials reported recent paving work and a damaged pavement incident, discussed the state wheel‑tax and purchasing ordinances, and raised safety and permit concerns about broadband crews and buried manholes; no formal policy changes were adopted at the meeting.
A county commissioner provided an update on June 5 about recent paving projects and a damage incident after new asphalt was placed on Bacon Ridge Road, and used a recent transportation conference to raise questions about a proposed wheel tax and purchasing ordinances.
“After the paving at the intersection of Diamond And Bacon, we had a tandem axle truck that was fully loaded go through the fresh asphalt…destroyed the whole curve in there, killing our pavement about 2 inches deep of tire tracks,” the commissioner said, and added that the paving contractor returned to patch the damage but the county may seek reimbursement from the truck owner.
At a conference the commissioner attended, participants discussed a proposed wheel tax and restrictions on how road funds may be used under different compliance scores. “There was a lot of discussion about it,” the commissioner said, noting the county still has options to raise road funds and may need an ordinance to authorize certain purchases for county highway operations.
The commissioner also raised concerns about broadband construction in county rights of way, saying a manhole and junction box had been installed dangerously close to the traveled roadway in a gravel section and asked that contractors provide a full map of installed fiber to avoid future damage. “I did tell him I would like to have the entire map from this cable because this cable is not just a regular broadband cable…So we don't wanna hit that. That might get expensive,” he said.
Why it matters: Paving damage can create maintenance costs and safety issues; decisions on a wheel tax and purchasing ordinances would affect how the county raises and spends road money. Broadband installations in road easements can pose safety and maintenance risks if not coordinated with county crews.
What was said and next steps: Commissioners discussed asking building‑permit and right‑of‑way permit processes to include road-impact or hauling‑plan information and asked staff to pursue contact information and maps from broadband contractors. No ordinance was introduced or adopted at the June 5 meeting; the commissioner said staff would follow up with contacts and may return with ordinance language.
Ending: The county will pursue documentation from broadband contractors and consider ordinance language on purchasing thresholds and permit conditions at a future meeting.
