Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Road Funding And Gravel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Emmons County approves contract to crush 50,000 tons of gravel; commissioners favor 50/50 flex-funding approach
Summary
After weeks of discussion about flex funding options for road projects, Emmons County Commissioners approved a contract with RTS Shearing to crush 25,000 tons of class-13 and 25,000 tons of class-5 gravel, up to $450,000, and discussed funding mixes using federal-aid, flex funds and county levies.
Emmons County Commissioners approved a contract on Sept. 9 with RTS Shearing to crush 50,000 tons of gravel (25,000 tons class 13 and 25,000 tons class 5) at a not-to-exceed price of approximately $450,000. County road staff and consultants had presented flex-funding application options and the commission discussed how to blend federal-aid, flex funds and county levy funds to execute a large crush this fall.
Why it matters: Commissioners and the road department said adding crushed material will support several federal-aid and county-maintained roads that are in poor condition. The county considered two grant-match options: a high-match option that would ask for 99% flex funding and a lower-request option more like a 50/50 split with county federal-aid funds; commissioners indicated a preference for the 50/50 approach as the best chance of selection and of using existing engineering approvals.
John Martin, who presented the flex-funding timeline, told commissioners the application deadline is imminent: "The applications are due here in approximately 2 weeks, September 19." Martin explained two funding approaches, saying, "Option 1 is the county, to get the construction going would contribute 1%, and then we would ask for 99% for flex funds. And then option 2 is more like the 2023 request, where it's kinda 50 50."
Road supervisor Russ Lawler and other staff described current inventory at county pits, remaining leased material and testing requirements. Commissioners and staff discussed sequencing: staff asked about invoicing and whether crushing could be invoiced late in the year so some costs could be paid from 2025 appropriations and the remainder in 2026 if needed. RTS Shearing staff indicated flexibility on invoicing to accommodate the county's budget schedule.
Commission action and implementation: The commission voted to enter a contract with RTS Shearing for the described 50,000-ton crush (25,000 tons class 13 and 25,000 tons class 5) up to $450,000. County staff will work with the vendor to complete pit testing, provide material specifications, and confirm schedule and invoicing. Staff said they will try to have loads crushed and staged before winter if weather allows.
Funding and next steps: Commissioners discussed drawing on remaining federal-aid balances and recent flex-fund allocations, as well as permit and other county revenues, to cover the crush cost without raising the mill levy farther than planned. The board also discussed longer-term road projects (engineered designs previously approved) and agreed the 50/50 flex-match approach gives the county the best chance to win a flex award while still using federal-aid funds effectively.
Votes recorded: Motion to contract RTS Shearing for up to $450,000 to crush specified quantities and classes of gravel carried; staff will return with final vendor paperwork and an invoicing schedule that aligns with county budget constraints.
Implementation risk and timeline: Staff rated the project implementation risk as "medium" because material testing, pit yield and weather (seasonal crushing window) could affect schedule. If crushed this fall, material will be stockpiled for use on the county's prioritized roads in 2025 and 2026.
