Metzinger elected chair; committee authorizes negotiation of Excel Energy lease at County C sand pit

The Ashland County Highway Committee elected William (Bill) Metzinger as chair and James (Jim/Jamie) Schultz as vice chair in unanimous voice votes during the meeting. Committee members also approved the meeting agenda and the April 13, 2026 meeting minutes by voice vote.

On a separate item, the highway commissioner reported that Excel Energy had expressed interest in leasing space at the County C sand pit for pole and material storage as part of a power-line reroute project. The commissioner asked for authority to negotiate a lease and an accompanying road-use agreement similar to an existing agreement with Enbridge; Excel had not yet submitted a formal offer.

Committee members advised caution on lease terms and suggested researching market rates (one committee member noted an offered rate of $100 per acre per month and suggested a lower baseline would be typical for utility uses). The committee moved, seconded and carried a motion to give the highway commissioner and county administrator authority to negotiate and execute a lease and road-use agreement in the county’s best interest, provided the county retains access to the sand pit and protections are included when needed.

Why it matters: leadership elections set committee procedure and representation going forward; the lease authorization allows staff to pursue a potential revenue source while preserving county operational needs at the sand pit.

Next steps: staff will negotiate terms and return to the committee if necessary or proceed under delegated authority, per the motion.