Highway department keeps bond allocation, plans equipment purchases; county to sell millings to city

John Geiger, the county’s highway superintendent, asked the council on April 15 to keep $382,240 from a previous bond allocated to the highway department rather than letting it remain designated for Bridge 161. Geiger said the county has already met the federal match for Bridge 161 and asked that the money be reallocated for equipment and other highway needs.

Why it matters: Retaining the allocation gives the highway department flexibility to replace or acquire heavy equipment and address local infrastructure work without a new appropriation.

Council action and vote

The council voted to keep the $382,240 allocated to the highway department; the motion passed with a recorded 7‑0 vote. The minutes show the council agreed the designation for those bond funds can be changed provided the funds remain with the highway department unless later reallocated by the council.

Department updates and context

Geiger reported multiple ongoing road projects: crews have been laying millings from a large stockpile sourced from old State Road 31 and other sites, building gravel roads, patching potholes and operating a brush cutter. He described a recently completed Community Crossings culvert replacement on 375 West using an 8‑foot round, 25‑foot‑long culvert (installed in sections and set with three excavators).

Geiger said the county has provided millings to a local project: "The mayor ... asked for 2,000 tons out of that pile" to support construction of a road for a new water tower near the old truck stop; commissioners approved sharing the material. He said sales or transfers of millings to municipalities are being handled “at cost” and that hauling or loading arrangements had not yet been negotiated.

The superintendent also noted one contractor, Jackson Recycling on 700 North US‑31, has accepted county concrete and asphalt debris free of charge and asked the council to acknowledge that in the minutes.

What the council approved

- Motion to retain $382,240 allocation in the highway department for use on equipment or other highway needs (approved 7‑0).

What remains outstanding

Geiger said the department may use funds for trucks and loaders but would consult commissioners about specific equipment purchases. He and council members discussed the possibility of re‑designating funds later if needed for a different bridge or project; council members noted that any change would require council action.

Provenance

Topic introduction excerpt: "I did wanna talk to you tonight about the bond we currently have... the last bond, there was $382,240 set aside for bridge 1 61."

Topic finish excerpt: "All second. Very excited at all in favor. 7 0."