Commission approves road-salt purchase and waterline amendment near historic cemetery; paving work authorized

Road and Bridge staff told the commission they have one source for road salt and recommended purchasing delivered salt from Mattresson Salt Company at $63.16 per ton; the commission approved the purchase by voice vote.

Staff reported several rough spots on Galesburg Road and recommended skim-coating and paver patching before overlay. The commission approved paver patching; the transcript materials cited a figure described on the record as "31,640 thousand dollars," a phrasing that appears inconsistent with common accounting presentation and requires clarification from staff and the county clerk. The project was described as to be paid from the county's pilot fund.

A separate item amended a right-of-way use agreement for Rural Water District 4's loop waterline on Douglas Road between 40th and 45th, adjacent to a cemetery. Holly Powers (present by phone) explained that the cemetery dates back to the 1800s and that the contractor plans to keep the installation west of the road and stay clear of the concrete stairs into the cemetery. Holly said the contractor can trench deeper (48 inches was discussed) and use a cleaner, socket-cut trenching method to reduce disturbance. "That cemetery goes down to the early eighteenth... I at least needed to stay 5 or 6 feet away from that stairs," Holly said on the call. Commissioners approved the amendment as amended.

Staff also noted the landfill may be underpriced compared with neighboring counties and said they would compile rate-comparison information for future consideration.