Roads department eyes $900K building retrofit, equipment funds and vehicle replacements

Highway and fleet staff presented the roads budget and a proposal to occupy and retrofit an acquired building for shop, office and sign-shop functions. The roads director told commissioners he intends to phase work and requested the board consider a placeholder estimate of about $900,000 for the retrofit and reconfiguration.

The director said he would split the project into thirds for offices, a sign shop and an equipment/balcon area and that the $900,000 figure is a preliminary estimate to be refined once design and bids are obtained. He said the cost will be paid from the county equipment replacement and 3.95 road funds and that the highway commission will review any formal project before construction.

Other requests and notes: - Road-project materials: $100,000 placeholder for oils, chips and asphalt in the 2.10 fund used for routine road maintenance; - Equipment-replacement increases including extraordinary repair funding (water-truck tank replacement) and a $30,000 addition earmarked for extraordinary repairs; - Road impact fund placeholders tied to building-permit fees (a $300,000 placeholder noted) and a $600,000 budgeted amount in a regional-transport fund for reimbursable work that the department performs and bills back.

The board will require formal bids and a highway-commission vote before moving forward on the building retrofit. The director acknowledged that the $900,000 number is a working estimate and said he will return with detailed cost estimates and bid-ready documents.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to return with formal project estimates and procurement documents; no construction contract was approved during the hearing.