Perry County leaders debate hiring engineer, contractor use to shore up gravel roads and staffing

Randy Cole, president of the Perry County commissioners, told the council that the county must change how it manages its 735 road segments to stop reacting to emergency repairs and start a planned maintenance program.

"We need to develop a process with our gravel roads," Cole said, arguing the county should adopt an asset-management approach and consider hiring a licensed professional engineer. Cole proposed using two unfilled operator salaries plus a $40,000 state stipend to fund the position and suggested tapping bridge funds to cover the remainder.

The discussion ranged across technical and operational topics: the county's new road-rating software (Vitalics/Violytics), which Cole said cannot substitute for manual ratings required by the state for Community Crossings grant applications; granular complaints about contractor rock deliveries; the potential use and environmental impacts of binding agents on gravel roads; and the persistent problem of comp time and employee availability in peak seasons.

Highway superintendent Steve (as identified in the meeting) and multiple council members described recent successes — heavy gravel deliveries by local haulers that temporarily built base on roads — while also noting weather-related limits. The group heard that the county's recent Community Crossings application was rejected after mapping and estimate errors, costing the county an expected $1,000,000 award this cycle.

Concerns about staff morale and retention were prominent. Highway employees reported the removal of a previously communicated bonus and said the change affected recruitment and willingness to work additional hours. One employee quoted in the meeting said colleagues felt "pissed off" after the bonus change, a sentiment commissioners acknowledged and sought to address in planning.

Council members debated alternatives: contracting out large sections, raising wages, recruiting through vocational partners for CDL training, or proceeding with the engineer hire. Several members supported developing a road plan but questioned immediate timing given the county's fiscal constraints; others called for targeted contractor work where staff capacity is limited.

The council agreed to continue the discussion at a scheduled session with highway leadership and to seek more precise cost estimates and scope definitions for any contracted work or an engineering hire. A follow-up meeting was set between commissioners and highway staff to produce a written plan and clear next steps.