Loomis council votes to add Stone Road to 2026 resurfacing program, cites cost and timing

The Loomis Town Council voted unanimously Monday to add Stone Road to the town'wide 2026 resurfacing program rather than fund it as a standalone project or defer other scheduled streets.

Public works staff member Richard presented three options and conservative cost estimates: an initial consultant estimate of about $300,000; a staff median replacement estimate of $451,000 and a 15% contingency that brings the project cost to roughly $520,000 if delivered as a standalone CIP. Richard said expanding the 2026 resurfacing program (option 2) would likely yield 5'15% savings through economies of scale and preserve the broader resurfacing schedule.

Council discussion focused on fiscal tradeoffs. One council member noted that pulling $520,000 from the general fund would reduce unreserved balances but that the town's unreserved general fund balance (about $800,000 in the example shown) could absorb the appropriation while preserving designated reserves. The council weighed option 2 (add to resurfacing program) against option 3 (remove other planned projects) and option 1 (standalone CIP) and favored the programmatic approach to limit future cost escalation.

Motion and vote: Councilmember moved to approve option 2; another councilmember seconded. A roll-call vote recorded aye votes from all members, and the motion passed.

Why it matters: Staff told the council that deferred maintenance increases per-square-yard costs significantly and that failing to act risks more expensive repairs later. The decision prioritizes immediate repair of the failed Stone Road (reported PCI 22) while retaining some program economy across multiple streets.

What comes next: Staff will pursue design updates, bid the expanded resurfacing project in winter 2026, and anticipate construction in mid'to'late summer 2027 if schedules hold.