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Public Works outlines merger, requests six road crews and a multiyear pavement plan
Summary
Public Works Director Lars Ewing presented a consolidated public works/public services budget, detailing a merger‑driven reorganization, reserve-funded landfill expansion, parks capital, and a pavement preservation program that aims to increase miles treated over several years with a request for six additional public‑works positions.
Public Works Director Lars Ewing (speaker 18) presented a consolidated Public Works and Public Services budget on June 15, covering facilities, landfill expansion, parks and an expanded roads program. He described the departmental merger and a reallocation of administrative positions into a single public‑works administrative budget unit.
Ewing said the department plans a pavement preservation effort of roughly 35 miles in the coming cycle and expects to scale toward higher mileage over subsequent years. To support more in‑house work and reduce contract costs, he requested adding six public works workers funded in part by SB1 (state road funds) to increase the county’s capacity for pavement preservation and related work.
"My recommendation is to augment our staff — let's build up our staff and get as many roads done as possible," Ewing said. He also described capital priorities including South Main Street and Soda Bay Road improvements, landfill expansion phases with $14 million reserved for expansion, and extraordinary requests for courthouse building maintenance and term facilities staff. Lampson Airport projects include an FAA grant contingency requiring $1.2 million in short‑term cash flow if awarded.
Board action and follow-up: The board approved a set of public‑works budget units that had no administrative changes, but supervisors asked staff to return on Wednesday with any extraordinary items and funding‑source clarifications. Several supervisors signaled support for the extra road crew hires, saying increased in‑house capacity may reduce higher outside contracting costs.
Community concerns: Members of the public and supervisors from fire‑prone districts urged prioritizing road and vegetation management (roadside clearing and bridge projects such as Morgan Valley Road) to ensure safe ingress and egress for vulnerable communities. Ewing said vegetation management staffing and a reclassified vegetation manager position are expected to accelerate roadside clearing work.
