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Lake County hauler warns commissioners of truck damage from rutted roads and threatens lawsuit
Summary
At a Jan. 21 Lake County work session a local hauler said county roads have badly damaged his garbage trucks, costing $17,000 to replace a transmission, and warned he may discontinue service and sue; Chair Mark Albertson cited a Road Department staffing drop from 40 to 14 as context.
During public comment at the Jan. 21 Lake County Board of Commissioners work session, Gary McCleese, owner of Gary McCleese and Sons, told the board county road conditions have caused significant damage to his company'owned garbage trucks. McCleese said one truck's transmission required replacement after bolts failed and that he spent about $17,000 on the repair. He described local roads as rutted and "washboard," saying he had "never seen the roads in such bad condition in the 25 years I have lived in the county." McCleese told commissioners his trucks weigh about 38,000 pounds and that continued damage may force him to discontinue service in some areas; he said he would be suing the county for damages.
Chair Mark Albertson responded that the Road Department had been reduced from about 40 employees a decade ago to 14 employees today, and that staff were doing their best to keep up with maintenance across the county's road network. The meeting record does not show a formal county response to McCleese's statement beyond that acknowledgment, and no claim filing or legal action was reported during the work session.
Separately at the same meeting, Community Corrections Director Jake Greer told commissioners counties may contract services with one another but not contract services back to the state, and noted a proposed legislative concept to continue Oregon Health Plan coverage for jail inmates. Vice'Chair Barry Shullanberger reported on a Weeds and Watershed banquet and said a stream repair program will get $4 million per year for three years. Chair Mark Albertson noted a bill is proposed to direct 1% of state lottery funds to fairgrounds statewide, and Commissioner James Williams said the Association of Oregon Counties is opposing SB 73.
The work session ended with no votes on any of these items; McCleese's comment was recorded in the minutes and will remain a public-record statement should the hauler seek remedies.
