Cerro Gordo county engineer says snow equipment is ready, seeks second reclaimer to speed road work

County Engineer Brandon Wellings told the Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 24 that the county’s snow-management equipment is prepared for the coming season and crews are finishing seasonal digging work orders before storing excavators for winter.

Wellings said the county will use a budgeted overtime allotment for snow response as needed and described a recent incident in which a farmer reported a partial manure-spreading spill; county crews inspected and will repair the road where necessary. He said staff intend to add a second reclaimer to the fleet to run two units simultaneously, which he said would significantly increase capacity for rebuilding and shouldering gravel roads. Wellings said he aims to have pricing and procurement completed before winter so the machine will be ready for spring operations.

Wellings also reported staff are monitoring progress on a Rockwell site demolition project and plan a survey of that site to identify exact boundaries and determine whether zoning or building permits are required before demolition proceeds. He said the county is evaluating whether to purchase a payloader or a skid loader, depending on price and availability.

The board asked about timelines and capacity; Wellings responded that a second reclaimer would “100% help” and that he planned to pursue pricing and placement into the current year’s public works budget if feasible.

The board adjourned at 10:07 a.m.

Clarifying details recorded at the meeting include a payroll warrant register for the period ending 11/15/2025 and staff note that all snow equipment is staged and crews will reduce digging activity as temperatures drop.