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Oneida County highway officials warn of $200K–$300K winter maintenance shortfall
Summary
Highway Commissioner Ben Rich told the Public Works Committee the county expects general and winter maintenance to exceed budget by an estimated $200,000 to $300,000; staffing changes and LTE wage rates were discussed as managers consider options to limit the deficit.
Highway Commissioner Ben Rich told the Oneida County Public Works Committee on May 28 that general and winter maintenance spending is expected to exceed this year’s budget by an estimated $200,000 to $300,000, a gap that could force changes to staffing and service levels.
The warning came during the committee’s review of April budget-to-actual reports. "General/winter maintenance would be over budget by an estimated $200,000 to $300,000 depending on the next winter season," Rich said, noting the department has seen its continuing appropriation shrink and could deplete that fund before year’s end. Dan Gleason, a highway staff member, added the county’s General Transportation Aids (GTA) reimbursement would not fully reflect added expenses for at least five years, creating a multi-year shortfall risk.
The committee discussed staffing as part of the fiscal picture. Rich reported that Jeri Cooper has submitted a retirement date of Aug. 3 and that the department had filled only three of eight approved summer LTE positions. Rich said one of two vacant crew positions would likely remain unfilled until winter to reduce near-term payroll costs. The committee heard the LTE wage schedule: year one $18.73, year two $19.80 and year three $21.40.
Committee member Billy Fried urged the department to notify the Administrative Coordinator so the executive committee would be aware the department may request additional funding. Fried also recommended bringing the LTE wage schedule to the executive committee for consideration.
Why it matters: the county’s ability to maintain roads through the winter affects safety and travel on primary and secondary routes across Oneida County, and a multi-year funding lag in GTA reimbursements could deepen deficits if steps to mitigate costs are not found.
The committee asked staff for firmer forecasts and for potential options to manage costs and staffing; no formal funding decision was made at the May 28 meeting.
