Commissioner urges negotiation with Covia to protect local jobs; mayor says talks underway

CAMDEN, BENTON COUNTY — During commissioners' remarks, Commissioner Preston urged the county and mayor to negotiate with Covia, a sand‑mining company on Highway 70 West, after he described recent layoffs and the site's local economic importance.

"I've known several to have worked there. I know 2 or 3 out there that's been there for decades... I think that these jobs at Covia is more important than the severance tax," Preston said, asking the mayor and highway chief to meet with the company to discuss transferring and maintaining a county road that travels through Covia property.

Mayor Mark Ward responded that Covia (referred to as "COBEO" during parts of the discussion) had previously not paid severance tax but has restarted payments and that he had scheduled a meeting with the plant manager and county property chairman to discuss the road: "They've started paying their severance tax now. So I have a meeting set up with the property chairman Buck and myself with the plant manager Thursday at 10:00 to discuss the road that you're talking about, and we'll work something out..."

Context: Preston and others said the sand under the road is high quality and commercially valuable. He reported Covia had recently laid off five hourly and one salaried employee and said local haulers and a trucking firm depend on the site. The mayor said the county would not negotiate road terms until the company resumed severance tax payments and that talks are now scheduled.

Outcome: No formal motion was taken at the time; the mayor said staff will meet with the plant manager to discuss potential terms.