Road and Bridge updates: seasonal hiring, equipment shortfalls and recycling-trailer options

The county’s Road and Bridge supervisor reported that he hired Walter Blunt as a seasonal worker and updated commissioners on field operations, equipment shortfalls and a possible replacement for the county recycling trailer.

The supervisor said spraying operations have been limited by heat and wind this season; he hired the seasonal employee for limited summer hours and expects the position to conclude around September. He also listed several recurring equipment problems: the skid steer availability has been limited, the mower deck previously used has failed and a grapple attachment is missing. He said replacement mower decks on the lower end may cost several thousand dollars but higher-end units and the deck they had earlier could cost $7,500–$17,000. The supervisor asked commissioners to document any future incidents where shared equipment is not available for Road and Bridge.

On fleet repairs, he reported corrosion and wiring damage to a 2006 Dodge used to tow the recycling trailer and said required work will be billed when completed. For the recycling trailer, he said a new unit would be roughly $22,500 list price for a setup like the county’s current trailer; commissioners asked staff to provide options for new and used trailers and to research vendors and potential municipal surplus sources.

Commissioners instructed staff to research new and used recycling-trailer options and report back with pricing; they also asked Road and Bridge to document equipment shortages that impede operations so the board can address equipment sharing and replacement timing in future budgets.