The Yankton County Commission awarded a gravel bid and approved a replacement hire for public works during its Dec. 29 meeting.

Public works opened bids for gravel and reported one offer from Utica Gravel Incorporated at $7.50 per ton. Staff recommended awarding to Utica Gravel; the commission discussed current inventory levels and the county’s prior practice of maintaining a larger stockpile. At roll call the award passed with four yes votes and one abstention.

Public works also asked to fill a vacant equipment operator/dump-truck driver position after an employee resigned for higher pay. Commissioners weighed the cost of hiring full-time versus part-time labor and the effect on overtime; they ultimately approved hiring a replacement operator to maintain winter and spring operations.

Both the procurement and the hiring were approved by motion and vote. Commissioners asked staff to track gravel inventory and consider stockpile strategies as part of next year’s budgeting.