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County awards roadwork contracts, reviews $1 million township program and roundabout options
Summary
Erie County reported a small year-over-year increase in gas-tax revenue, considered a $1 million township road-improvement program with $970,000 in project requests, discussed a proposed roundabout, and approved multiple roadwork contracts including chip seal, microsurfacing and resurfacing awards.
Erie County officials on June 12 reported modest growth in gas-tax revenue and moved forward on several road projects and contracts.
County Administrator Hank Solowiej told the board that June gas-tax collections were $339,487, up from $328,096 in June 2024, and that year-to-date gas-tax receipts were roughly $1.9 million compared with $1.868 million a year earlier, an increase of about 1.5 percent. County Engineer Eric Dodrill said the county received project requests from all nine townships totaling $970,000 under a $1 million Township Road Improvement Program and asked townships to submit three- to five-year plans to guide investments.
During public comment, resident Mitch Luman praised a recently completed roundabout at Campbell Street and Bogart Road and urged the board to consider funding a proposed roundabout at Campbell Street and Strub Road. Dodrill said the county purchased design software but needs a consultant to advance designs and that grant funding may be available in 2027; he also warned that a simultaneous $800,000 sidewalk project could complicate scheduling and right-of-way work.
The board also approved several contracts by roll call vote. On motion of Mr. Shoffner and second of Mr. Old, the board awarded the chip-seal contract to Runway Incorporated of Peebles, Ohio, for $139,506.20; awarded microsurfacing to Strawser Construction, Inc., for $871,894.98; and awarded the resurfacing program to Erie Blacktop, Inc., for $1,289,321.83. All roll calls were recorded as "All Aye." The motions were made upon the County Engineer's recommendations.
Commissioners discussed tourism-driven infrastructure impacts. Commissioner Shenigo said Sports Force contributed substantially to bed-tax revenue growth — noting that 1 percent of the bed tax once generated $1.2 million and now produces about $2 million annually — and warned that visitor traffic places strains on county roads and public safety that may justify additional funding.
The board's approvals advance a mix of near-term surface treatments and longer-term planning; Dodrill said he will report back on completed design work for the proposed roundabout and on coordination with the sidewalk project.
