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Butler County roads chief warns of $300,000 gravel overrun and staff tension over new pit
Summary
Highway Superintendent Randy Isham told the county board that gravel costs are roughly $300,000 over budget, noted a disputed Kroeger invoice that may include 2024 gravel, and said some Road Department employees are upset about assignment changes related to a new gravel pit.
DAVID CITY, Neb. — Butler County’s Highway Superintendent told the Board of Supervisors on May 4 that gravel expenditures are about $300,000 over this year’s budget, raising questions about billing and staffing at the Road Department.
Randy Isham reported the department has been cleaning culverts, scraping at the county gravel pit and reopened the bridge at 37–38 Roads. He also said a radiator on the tar machine leaked and is being repaired, and that he plans to hire help to remove a beaver dam. The highway-building roof was finished recently, but Isham said he has not yet received the bill.
Isham told the board he received a bill from a vendor, Kroeger, that appears to include gravel charged in 2024. He asked the County Attorney to review the invoice to determine whether the county can legally pay it at this late date. Isham also reported that the county recently both received and gave loads of dirt as part of routine operations, which he said has been common practice.
Separately, Isham said "a few Road Department employees are upset about the new gravel pit," and warned that while he does not want to lose staff, employees may need to work where assigned. County Attorney Julie Reiter advised Isham to bring the Kroeger billing documentation to her office for review.
The road update did not include a recommended budget action at the meeting; the board recorded the status and instructed staff to follow up on the vendor billing and staffing concerns.
The board will address any recommended budget or personnel actions in a future meeting.
