Commissioners discuss high asphalt prices and single‑bid market; county weighs regional options

County commissioners discussed persistent single‑bid results for asphalt work in southeastern Minnesota and the resulting higher costs to the county and local cities.

Commissioners said the county’s most recent bid yielded a single offer from Mathy Construction and that local per‑ton prices are roughly $90 compared with about $60 per ton reported in nearby Freeborn County. Officials estimated the county’s premium this year could amount to roughly $600,000 in additional cost compared with lower regional prices.

Commissioners and staff discussed options including collaborating with neighboring counties on joint bids, creating a regional asphalt plant (permanent or portable) with partners, or putting public pressure on current suppliers. They noted significant barriers: asphalt plants cost millions of dollars, require specialized staff and operations, and previous regional efforts were curtailed by statutory or policy barriers cited for other states. MnDOT’s position, as described in the meeting, is that its competitive bid process stands and it is not seeking county partnership for operating plants.

Discussion also covered logistics — transportation costs, truckload price differences and whether combined bidding across several counties would materially reduce per‑ton pricing after haul times and other costs. No formal direction or motion was recorded; commissioners said they will consider options and gather more information.

Ending: Commissioners agreed the issue warrants further study because the cost gap is large enough to affect county budgets and municipal projects; staff was asked to continue researching regionally coordinated approaches and the feasibility of alternative procurement strategies.