Ware County commissioners move mowing contract and change order to meeting, discuss culvert repairs and road safety

Ware County commissioners spent the March 9 work session reviewing routine public‑works contracts and local road safety concerns, then moved several items to the full meeting for formal action.

Staff asked that a mowing and litter‑pickup contract (three mowings and three trash pickups covering approximately 179 miles) be carried for one more year, presenting a line‑item total of $193,320 to be paid from a T‑LOS account with a balance of roughly $274,613. Staff recommended referral of the contract to the county meeting for approval and commissioners agreed to move it forward.

Staff also described a local fund phase‑one change order for Thrift Brothers to replace pipes on Jim Mixon Road and reseal two 36‑inch runs on Camp Branch Road, with a subtotal shown as $58,534.32 and a related local‑project line of $66,560.42 (noted in staff remarks as about 4% of the larger project bid); staff said paving back the road will follow the pipe work and recommended taking the change order to the meeting.

An airport ground‑lease amendment for Michael and Vicki Franklin was introduced: the leased parcel was shifted to a non‑wetland location on the north side of the terminal, reported as approximately 100 by 80 feet with an annual lease of $320; commissioners agreed to move the amendment to the meeting for final action.

Commissioners discussed several resident complaints about surface‑treatment roads that currently have loose rock (Pascal Road and Dixie Union Road were cited). Staff explained that surface treatments often require a warm season and traffic to embed binder and reduce loose rock; commissioners asked staff to inspect the locations and follow up with contractors if necessary.

The board also debated responsibility for concrete driveway sections adjacent to county culvert replacements. Commissioners described multiple sites where a narrow cut for a new pipe left a seam at the driveway edge that is settling and creating trip hazards. They asked staff to inventory affected drives, mark those needing repair, and develop a plan rather than undertaking broad, unscreened repairs. Commissioners agreed county crews can perform some repairs but sought clarity about when the county or a contractor is responsible and whether driveways should be repoured after pipe replacements.

Staff reported that a second round of DOT ELME funding may open once the governor's budget is set; commissioners discussed prioritizing resurfacing or service‑treatment projects and noted some community members oppose paving certain roads. The session closed after brief updates on flashing lights and local traffic‑safety studies and a motion to adjourn.

No formal votes were taken during the work session; staff moved contracts and change orders to the next regular meeting for formal action.