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County engineer details flexible Highway Department budget, flags pay options and winter risks
Summary
County Engineer Zach presented the Highway Department’s 2026 operating budget as a flexible framework that includes a 7% pay adjustment and a 5% cost‑of‑living allowance option, warns overtime depends on winter severity, and highlights 13 active federal aid projects and a multi‑year construction pipeline.
Zach, the county engineer overseeing highway operations, told commissioners he designed the 2026 highway budget as an adaptable operational framework meant to absorb unexpected costs while allowing the department to pursue federal projects and maintenance work. “I’m just gonna give a quick 10,000 view of how the budget's set up for the year,” he said as he opened the presentation and walked through key funds and assumptions.
Zach said he included a 7% salary increase in the draft and an additional 5% cost‑of‑living allowance as budgeted options so the commissioners could choose the level of raises they authorize. “But generally speaking, what I’ve done is I put in the 7%,” he said, adding the budget also builds in flexibility to do less or nothing depending on direction. He cautioned the highway overtime line is volatile: recent severe winters have produced six‑figure overtime shortfalls, and an early or heavy winter will likely require mid‑year adjustments.
The engineer described a large program of federal aid work that he said has been built over the last decade: 13 active federal aid projects, several still ramping up and some with construction that could extend into 2032. He said the department’s near‑term focus is not growth but building redundancy to reduce operational risk while managing a high volume of projects. Zach also reminded the commissioners that some line items—such as a new labor position—require parallel action on the salary ordinance before funds can be used for personnel costs.
Commissioners asked for follow‑up details on overtime burn rates, the salt inventory and how the department would handle reimbursements for federal projects. Staff reported the salt account showed a recent shortfall of $48,583.91 after purchases, and Zach explained a stockpile strategy (up to 2,000 tons) supports the $100,000 salt line in normal years but can be drawn down in heavy winters. The presentation closed with staff offering to return with more line‑item detail and fund‑balance reconciliations.
Provenance: topicintro SEG 018 / topfinish SEG 1016
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