Delaware County locks 12-month fuel price with AgBest, accepts materials bids

Delaware County commissioners voted March 2 to accept bids for aggregate and paving materials and to lock a 12-month fuel price with AgBest after staff reported only a single fuel bid was received.

Tommy Humber of the county highway department reviewed the bids and explained the county often accepts multiple supplier bids to retain flexibility. On fuel, only AgBest submitted a proposal: an escalating (market) option and a 12-month locked option. The locked price quoted gasoline at $2.11 per gallon and No. 2 diesel at $2.52; the escalating price for Feb. 2, 2026, was reported as $1.87 for gasoline and $2.43 for diesel.

A commissioner argued in favor of the escalating bid based on expected short-term price movement, while another favored locking in prices due to international instability that could drive costs higher. After discussion, a motion was made to accept all materials bids and accept AgBest’s option 2 (12-month locked price) for fuel. The roll-call vote recorded Commissioner Henry voting yes, Richard Brand voting no, and Commissioner Reagan voting yes (tally: 2–1). The board noted the decision gives the highway department predictable pricing for diesel-heavy usage.

The board also accepted the material bids (respondents noted as Brooks Construction, E and B Paving, and Irving Materials) to allow flexibility in sourcing aggregate and surface materials.