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Camden County approves multiple Road & Bridge bids; commissioners debate Big Island Drive overlay
Summary
Commissioners accepted a series of Road & Bridge bids and approved an asphalt overlay on Big Island Drive after debate over budget priorities and a resident's accusation of retaliation directed at Commissioner Dougan; several bids were accepted per administrator recommendations.
Camden County commissioners approved multiple Road & Bridge bid awards and debated whether to proceed with an asphalt overlay on Big Island Drive during the March 31 meeting.
The commission opened 2026 spring bids for engineering and surveying and tire services; commissioners tabled winner selection for those categories based on the Road & Bridge Administrator’s recommendation. For other items, the commission approved a Hot-in-Place Remix addendum that allows neighboring counties to use the county’s bid, and accepted contractor bids for grader and snowplow blades, signs and traffic control, and quarry rock, sand and pea gravel.
On an asphalt overlay for Big Island Drive, Presiding Commissioner Ike Skelton moved to accept the lowest per-ton bid as recommended by the Road & Bridge Administrator. Second District Commissioner Steve Dougan initially declined to support the overlay, saying budget constraints and unassessed roads removed from the five-year plan merited further review. A resident of Big Island Drive accused Dougan of retaliating for political reasons; Dougan denied the allegation. After further discussion Commissioner James Gohagan seconded Skelton’s motion and the overlay motion passed with recorded ayes for Skelton and Gohagan.
Commissioner Gohagan moved to accept CAT and Martin Equipment’s bids for grader and snowplow blades; Commissioner Dougan seconded and the motion passed. Commissioner Skelton moved to accept bids from Welborn Sales and Vulcan for signs and traffic control; Commissioner Gohagan seconded and the motion passed. Commissioner Skelton moved to accept bids for quarry rock, sand and pea gravel; Commissioner Dougan seconded and the motion passed.
Why it matters: The awards set the county’s contractors for road maintenance and materials for 2026 and authorize an overlay for Big Island Drive despite at least one commissioner expressing budgetary concern. Residents raised allegations about political retaliation during debate, which the commission did not resolve in the public meeting.
Next steps: Tabbed bid categories will be returned to the commission for selection after Road & Bridge Administrator review; the awarded contracts and the Big Island Drive overlay will proceed per the county procurement process and the Administrator’s project scheduling.
