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Lincoln County road supervisors report higher maintenance, tire and asphalt costs
Summary
County road supervisors told commissioners that wear items, tires and asphalt costs have driven up repair and maintenance lines; staff said disaster and Forest Service reimbursements are likely but timing and amounts are uncertain.
Road supervisors and county staff reviewed road maintenance budgets and warned that higher costs for tires, cutting edges and asphalt will raise repair and maintenance spending this year. The review, held during the Lincoln County budget meetings, focused on two road districts.
"I did, but I went way over this year on my budget," said the Road Two Supervisor, describing depleted supplies and the need to restock cutting edges and tires. Officials noted that some costs may be covered later by disaster reimbursements and Forest Service contract revenue, but the timing and exact amounts are uncertain because reimbursements are paid after expenses are incurred.
County staff and the Road Two Supervisor discussed specific line items: raw materials and crush were cited at $100,000–$150,000, and asphalt at roughly $250,000. The supervisors said current tire spending is below last year, but other machinery and equipment lines have been shifted to cover emergent needs. One participant said remaining asphalt and oil balances can be quickly consumed by scheduled projects.
Road One supervisors described aging trucks and a need for a new shop heater and grader tires, which one supervisor put at about $3,100 each. The supervisors debated whether to continue repairing a recently purchased chipper or trade it for newer equipment; staff cautioned repeated repairs could be costly over time.
Officials said the county anticipates some revenue from Forest Service contracts and debris-hauling work after recent wind damage, and that contractor hauling could supply additional crush material. "If we get it, we get it," a supervisor said of Forest Service revenue, adding that the Forest Service fiscal year ends in October, which complicates budgeting.
The supervisors and staff also noted wage and benefits lines remain unsettled pending final wage determinations; several participants said those lines will rise when full staffing is reflected in final budgets. No formal motions or votes were recorded during the discussion. The meeting moved on to other departmental budgets after the road reviews were concluded.
