Road contractor asks commissioners for $746,636.50 to finish several county roads

Ronald Pope told the Budget, Finance and Human Resources committee he is seeking $746,636.50 from county funds to finish a package of road projects, including Green Cemetery Road, Legon Love Road, Old Cox Pike and a new 2.05-mile cutoff road.

Pope said crews widened Green Cemetery Road to 24 feet to serve an industrial parcel; work would meet industrial specifications with a 3-inch binder and 1.5-inch topping, painted lines and shoulder stone. He said the county's state-aid dollars (he estimated about $209,000 in state aid) arrive after July 1, and that one project's county portion under a 75/25 split would be roughly $80,000. Pope warned that an oil-index increase had raised costs by roughly $40,000–$45,000 versus the original quotes, and that his contractor could start work around June 1.

"So, I'm just asking if y'all would consider giving me this $746,636.50 to do them roads out of that same fund that you gave me the money for Moss Branch," Pope said. He emphasized this was a one-time ask from a fund previously used for Moss Branch and said invoices would determine final amounts.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the source and earmarking of the sale-proceeds used for prior projects; Pope responded the sale of 23 acres had supplied the prior Moss Branch allocation and that the related proceeds sit in the general fund as reserved, not specifically earmarked. The committee did not take a vote on the request during the meeting and signaled the item would be considered during upcoming budget meetings.