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Rising rock prices force Louisa County to reconsider road material purchases
Summary
Roads staff told supervisors quarry prices have jumped sharply — staff said average rock costs rose about 68% over eight years and a local supplier raised prices to $17.95/ton — creating a significant budget shortfall that will reduce the county's ability to buy prior volumes of aggregate.
Louisa County roads staff warned supervisors that quarry price increases are forcing changes to road maintenance and procurement plans.
The county has been sourcing road rock from several quarries. Staff reported that last year’s price averaged roughly $14.60 per ton, was expected to rise to about $15.65 per ton, and that one supplier notified the county of a new $17.95-per-ton price effective April 1. "The average price of rock has increased 68% over eight years," the staff member said, and the budgeted amount will not buy the same tonnage as in prior years.
County staff described steps to manage cost: hauling more material from less-expensive quarries when feasible, using existing stockpiles from alternative suppliers (Cessford) and adjusting hauling patterns. Staff also noted equipment changes — a newly arrived semi should improve hauling efficiency — and that a trucking shortage and long lead times for wiring harnesses are complicating operations.
The speaker said the county budgeted $1,175,000 for rock material (noted in the packet as a larger figure in error in the transcript); staff warned that the higher per-ton price could increase costs by roughly $120,000 compared with prior assumptions.
Ending: Supervisors directed staff to continue procurement adjustments and to bring additional cost and sourcing options back to a future meeting.
