Highway director outlines mileage, projects, hires and tree-removal liabilities

Highway Department staff presented the annual financial and activity report and outlined ongoing projects and personnel changes. Staff reported road-mile figures: 162 miles of asphalt; chip seal increased from 522 to 537 miles; gravel fell from 102 to 87 miles, for a total of 786 miles. The board approved the report after a $0.09 correction; the motion passed 3–0.

Janice Hughes described two ADA consultant proposals and recommended hiring Tim Clark (Intac Management) on a two-year contract not to exceed $28,000, with a higher alternative proposal priced at $42,600 deemed unnecessary; the board deferred final approval to the next meeting. Hughes said she plans to advertise her position next week with a target hire by June 1 and to exit at the end of June.

Staff briefed the board on operational items: a dust-control pilot using calcium application on 1300 North with Central of Logansport; tile projects at 950 E & 1400 S, McGrawsville, and in the town of Miami; and the start of summer hours (6:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.). New hires Dan Lesley, Brayden Myers and Drew Hunt are scheduled to start Wednesday.

Officials also described growing public complaints about tree hazards in right-of-way areas in Miami, Mexico and Waupecong and explained liability: the county must address known hazards within the right-of-way, shared ownership can complicate responsibility, and removal costs were estimated at $2,000–$6,000 per tree (up to $36,000 for six trees). Staff suggested that strengthened town ordinances, wheel-tax revenue, or contracted removal may be necessary for larger projects.