Commission debates contracting vs. in‑house paving, approves large road projects for 2026 application

Public works director Bridal Griffin updated the board on road maintenance: new equipment, motor graders, improved pothole patching and progress reopening previously closed roads. The department said staff training and newly acquired paving equipment will allow more in‑house work, but commissioners debated the speed and cost tradeoffs between contracting large projects and performing smaller projects internally.

Commissioners discussed traffic-count methodology and per‑mile cost variability. Staff said they would provide exact budget figures and a final project list for submission. The board approved a motion to include three large road projects for the 2026 program application — King Road, Cobham Creek Road and two miles of Alberton/Albiton Road — and discussed prioritizing smaller in‑house projects to test new equipment before moving to multi‑million‑dollar contracts.

What’s next: Staff will supply itemized cost estimates, traffic data if available, and timelines so the board can finalize contracts or in‑house schedules and report back as required.