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Commissioners discuss equipment needs, cost options and a Building Commissioner job description
Summary
Highway Supervisor Chris Winkler asked commissioners to consider purchasing a road-widener (~$70,000) and replacing a high‑hour rubber‑tired excavator (purchase ~$289,000–$310,000 or lease alternative). He also said a Building Commissioner job description is being drafted for budgeted positions.
Daviess County's Highway Department presented equipment needs and a personnel item for future action during the July 28 meeting.
Chris Winkler described a road-widener attachment that mounts to a skid steer and estimated its cost at about $70,000. He also reported one rubber‑tired excavator has more than 10,000 hours and is losing hydraulic power; a new machine would cost roughly $289,000–$310,000 depending on attachments, or the department could lease one at about $57,000 per year for five years plus a $109,000 buyout, which Winkler calculated would make the lease-buy route about $80,000 more expensive than an outright purchase. Commissioners encouraged Winkler to pursue the most cost-effective option and present that case to county council.
Separately, Winkler and County Surveyor Shawn Gabhart have drafted a Building Commissioner job description that will be refined and discussed at an August 11 highway meeting; the position and salary have been included in the draft budget and will be finalized with the September budget process if approved.
