Jay County opts for automated PASER ratings and approves $122,574 excavator purchase

The Jay County Commissioners voted May 12 to contract Vialytics for automated PASER pavement condition ratings for one year at a cost of $33,800 to support Community Crossings grant reporting and quality-assurance requirements. Ben Beer of USI Consultants Inc. presented options; commissioners favored having an outside company responsible for the certified ratings and quality assurance rather than assigning that certification to county staff.

Commissioner Duane Monroe moved the Vialytics contract; Commissioner Doug Horn seconded the motion and the board approved it unanimously. Stephanie Klarer, assistant highway superintendent, told the board the automated approach would reduce subjective bias in visual scoring and allow more frequent scoring throughout the year.

In related highway business, Highway Superintendent Bob Howell told commissioners the department would reallocate funds originally approved for a grader down payment toward a mini excavator purchase of $122,574.08 from Bobcat of Mercer County to replace a 1996 Badger unit. The board approved that purchase unanimously. Howell also requested and the board approved a supplemental agreement with EGIS for construction inspection of Bridge #139 at $36,400 to provide on-site inspection and contractor support during construction; commissioners noted those inspection services are not covered by the Community Crossings grant.

Why it matters: PASER certification and accurate, repeatable pavement ratings are required components of Community Crossings grant applications; automating ratings can influence future grant competitiveness. The excavator and inspection services are intended to keep routine maintenance and bridge projects on schedule.

The commissioners tabled a separate decision on replacing a small structure on 300 N, estimated at $645,000, to gather more information.