Commissioners ratify snow-plowing contracts after discussing equipment limits and wage increase

Summary

The board approved Resolution 25-0314 to retroactively ratify snow‑plowing agreements (11/01/2025–10/31/2026) with independent vendors; commissioners discussed that smaller trucks were inadequate on some routes and noted an increase in vendor pay from $1.40 to $1.75 as recorded in the transcript.

The Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution 25-0314 on Dec. 30, 2025, ratifying agreements for snow plowing of county roadways for the period beginning Nov. 1, 2025, and expiring Oct. 31, 2026, with independent contractors.

Speaker 3 explained the county sought vendors to cover roughly 36 miles of road and said crews discovered smaller trucks could not handle all roads; vendors upgraded to larger trucks and the per‑unit pay noted in the transcript increased from $1.40 to $1.75 (as described by the speaker). Commissioners discussed staffing shortages at Roads and Bridges and operational time lost when smaller vehicles had to return to reload salt.

Board action: After discussion and a motion from the floor, the board approved the resolution by voice vote.

Context and implementation: Commissioners said they are short‑handed in Roads and Bridges and that the contracts are intended to ensure roadway coverage during inclement weather. The resolution was adopted at a special meeting on Dec. 30, 2025.