Commissioners ask for workshop after hearing Swany County cost example for dirt-to-pave conversions

County commissioners spent extended discussion time weighing how to increase dirt-road conversions and manage paving funding. Several commissioners said constituents repeatedly request conversions in districts with large inventories of dirt roads.

Commissioners described Swany County’s in-house paving program as an example. One commissioner reported Swany’s in‑house conversions cost under $330,000 per mile and that the county there completed nearly four miles with a purchased paving machine. Commissioners debated whether that model — purchasing equipment and performing in-house work — or contracting out was more cost-effective for Columbia County.

Staff emphasized that permitting, right-of-way acquisition, stabilization, and hauling costs affect per-mile calculations. Kevin from public works noted an 18-foot pavement with 1,600 tons of asphalt alone could approach $200,000 per mile for material at plant prices and that other surface and base work adds to total cost.

Commissioners agreed that the question is budgetary and asked staff to compile comparative cost sheets, procurement and permitting issues, and legal factors (including prior use of eminent domain on road projects). They requested a dedicated workshop to compare apples-to-apples estimates for contract versus in-house paving and to include funding scenarios in the upcoming budget process.

The board did not commit to a funding source at the meeting but slated the topic for a future workshop with detailed cost modeling and proposed program options.