Adams County approves $1.36M recycled-aggregate contract for gravel-road maintenance

The Adams County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 7 approved a three-year agreement with Allied Recycled Aggregates totaling $1,357,800 to supply crushed recycled aggregates used in the county's gravel-road maintenance program.

County staff said the contract breaks down to about $452,600 per year. Janet Lindquist, deputy director of public works, told commissioners the material is used in the public-works gravel mix for maintaining gravel roadways, full-depth patching and shoulder work, and that using crushed recycled aggregate reduces operating costs and the county's carbon footprint under the Adams County 2030 Sustainability Plan.

Lindquist said, "We are recommending approval of the agreement with Allied Recycled Aggregates for purchase of crushed recycle aggregates." She also noted the county received two bids and that Allied was the lowest responsible bidder.

Commissioner Eva Henry, who had requested the item be pulled from the consent calendar for discussion, said the change was intended to increase public transparency. "I feel that it's more transparent. I feel it brings attention to it a little more when it's over $1,000,000," Henry said during the meeting, urging the board to restore more detailed descriptions on consent items going forward so the public can see what funds are being spent on.

The motion to approve the contract passed unanimously. County staff will proceed with the agreement and the vendor is expected to supply the materials for scheduled gravel-road work under existing public-works programs.

Background: The agreement was presented as item N on the consent calendar after county staff described the procurement and usage. Commissioners discussed consent-calendar thresholds and the level of detail provided to the public during the presentation and vote.