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Highway director proposes skid‑steer purchase; county posts unexpected IDOT project funds
Summary
Highway Director Dave Anderson said his budget is largely status quo but recommended buying a track skid steer/mini excavator to reduce subcontracting; he also said the county received a one‑time state award from IDOT posted as miscellaneous motor‑fuel tax revenue.
Dave Anderson, director of the highway and solid waste department, told the board this year’s highway budget is mostly status quo with labor costs the primary variable because of pending contract negotiations. "Really, there isn't, like, a ton of new information or a a bunch of big changes or really anything, in this budget," Anderson said, adding that most increases will track negotiated wage changes.
Anderson proposed redirecting an equipment line (historically used for trucks) toward a track skid steer or mini excavator and a road‑widening attachment so crews could perform more shoulder and culvert work without contracting. He argued the attachment would let crews do two culvert or shoulder jobs in a day instead of one with contractors.
On revenue, Anderson said the county received a large, one‑time IDOT local projects award (roughly $600,000) that was recorded under miscellaneous motor‑fuel tax revenue; staff said the receipt will be handled as a neutral budget adjustment when the project is executed. Anderson also warned of uncertainty in salt procurement after several locations statewide failed to attract bids; he urged conservative budgeting for salt tonnage and per‑ton price increases.
