Washington County staff briefed the Board of Supervisors on progress across a group of state-aid road and bridge projects and the board approved filling two road department vacancies.

A county staff member who spoke as the road manager reported that right-of-way deeds for the Club 17 Road project were returned to the county on Jan. 3 and meetings with landowners were scheduled. The manager said crews must relocate an existing water line off a bridge and obtain two remaining right-of-way acquisitions before the county can advertise the project for bids. "We got the right of way deeds from ... we got those deeds back January 3rd," the road manager reported in the meeting transcript.

The board also heard that design work on a number of projects is complete and awaiting right-of-way certificates and environmental reports before advertising: Burdick Road design is complete and pending right-of-way; Burnett Road final assembly has been submitted and approved; Handley Road and Baker Road plans were under state-aid review.

Separately, the road manager presented two roofing repair quotes for a county building and reported two contractors: Watkins Construction and Roofing ($3,927.84) and Crossroads Roofing ($3,370). The manager then reported obtaining quotes for structural work at the Luther Alexander building and said the county would return with a scope of work and cost estimates.

On staffing and equipment, the board approved replacing two positions in the road department — a track operator and a general laborer — to fill recent retirements. The request was described as replacements rather than new positions; the board voted in favor. The road manager said the department has taken possession of a new Lee Boyd paver (from Mid South), which includes a manufacturer training course, and that staff would coordinate on training and on lining up contractors and equipment for upcoming chip-seal and blacktop projects.

Why it matters: Several projects are moving from design to acquisition and advertising, which will trigger bidding and construction steps. The appointment of replacements keeps operations staffed for winter maintenance and upcoming paving work.

Board action: The supervisors voted to approve the two road department hires and to proceed with procurement steps as right-of-way agreements and state-aid concurrence permit advertising. No specific construction contracts were awarded at the meeting.