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Saline County road and bridge officials report multi-day snow response, continued tree-and-brush clearing
Summary
Road and Bridge Administrator Darren Fischel updated commissioners on the department’s snow-response operations, a long-running safety record, tree-and-brush work in unincorporated towns, equipment use and 2026 budget preparations.
Darren Fischel, Saline County’s road and bridge administrator, briefed the Board of Commissioners March 4 on recent snow-removal operations, crew safety performance and ongoing tree-and-brush maintenance in unincorporated communities.
Fischel told commissioners the department marked roughly eight consecutive years without a lost-time accident in its safety record, noting the last lost-time accident occurred in February 2017 but that county records began counting the current streak in 2018. He said crews attended 40 separate training courses in the preceding months, covering topics such as pipeline safety and supervisor development.
Discussing recent snow events, Fischel described a heavy January event that left deep windrows and low visibility. “You could probably see about 6 feet on the top of that motor grader blade,” he said, describing conditions that led the department to temporarily cease operations on a day when an operator drove off the road and a crane was later required to recover equipment. He said no one was hurt in that incident.
Fischel also described the department’s ongoing brush and tree work in small unincorporated towns — a roughly decennial program to keep roads passable for motor graders and school buses. He said crews have completed hand-cutting and grinding operations in locations the department identified as overgrown, and noted the county now asks property owners to burn debris piles created during county removal work rather than having county crews return to burn them.
On repair activity, Fischel said crews patched a culvert damaged during snow operations when an operator unfamiliar with local roads “hooked the edge of that culvert.” He said the department will continue tree-and-brush clearing, snow removal and begin preparation for the 2026 budget; he characterized the upcoming budget as “within historical norms” with no large new expenses identified so far.
Commissioners praised the department’s response and safety record. Commissioner Hay said he received many calls commending snow removal work and thanked staff for their efforts. Commissioner Grievous praised the employees’ conscientiousness and the department’s pride in safety. The board did not take formal action on the update; it was presented as an informational item.
