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Roads chief seeks in‑house safety/training role and swaps micro‑seal projects to serve bus routes
Summary
Road Superintendent Leonard Lujan proposed splitting an existing foreman role into a truck foreman and a safety/training officer to centralize hands‑on training; commissioners asked for budget details and agreed to review the plan during the FY26 budget cycle. Lujan also proposed reallocating micro‑seal mileage to Ten Pines to support school bus route safety.
Leonard Lujan, Torrance County Road Superintendent, told the Commission he wants to split a vacant road foreman position into two roles: a truck foreman who would manage hauling and paperwork and a safety/training officer responsible for in‑house, hands‑on certifications. "I just can't have them parked on side of the road and sit on the phone and try and do a training," Lujan said, arguing in‑person training would be safer and better for new hires.
Commissioners generally supported the approach but asked that the plan be refined and run through the FY2025–26 budget cycle to define travel and training costs. Lujan said the proposal can be handled within his current budget and would create a career ladder within the department.
Lujan also presented proposed micro‑seal project changes, requesting that several previously selected roads be swapped for a roughly two‑mile double micro‑seal on Ten Pines to improve a busy school‑bus corridor. Commissioners requested more detailed cost analyses and base‑course preparation plans before finalizing the road list.
No additional appropriations were approved at the meeting; staff will refine the position descriptions and include the proposals in the budget cycle.
