Ellis County approves new grader, multiple purchase orders and materials for 2025 road work

Ellis County commissioners voted Dec. 17 to move ahead on several highway- and maintenance-related purchases intended to prepare crews for 2025 road work.

Public works foreman Bridal McKay described the county’s plan to add a 13th maintenance territory at the start of next year and recommended purchasing a new grader now so the machine would be ready for operations Jan. 1. Commissioners discussed current fleet counts, warranty and lift-group costs, the prospect of price increases in 2025 and staffing constraints for additional machines. The commission approved the purchase from Foley Equipment by voice vote.

Commissioners also approved several purchase orders requested by public works: PO 7875 to Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions for asphalt emulsion oil; PO 7876 to I-70 Truck Repair to cover hail damage repairs; and PO 7877 to Venture for screenings used in asphalt production. Staff explained that insurance credits from hail-damaged equipment and year-end cost-savings allowed encumbering these funds in the 2024 budget so materials and repairs can be procured for application in 2025.

McKay said aggregate screening samples are being tested and that chips and sand remain to be sourced once lab results confirm the best blend for county mixes. Commissioners discussed training options for new operators, reimbursement opportunities from LTAP courses and trade-in value on older machines.

The commission’s approvals were presented as routine year-end procurement actions intended to ensure machines, materials and training are in place for the county’s planned 2025 road program.