Higher costs reduce county armor coating plans

McCOOK, Neb. — While the county usually plans to armor coat 10 miles of road a year, commissioners voted to do less than eight miles this year because of increasing costs for oil, gravel and labor.

After discussing options with David Blau of Millier & Associates, commissioners voted unanimously to have armor coating applied to more than two miles of round south in Indianola and 5 1/2 miles of road south of Bartley.

Costs per mile of armor coating was $15,591.66 in 2019, including $9,912.58 for oil, $1,548.84 for gravel and $4,130.24 to apply it.

This year, the bid cost for oil is $15,101.19, with estimated costs of $2,710.47 for gravel and $6,711.64 to apply it, for a total cost per mile of $24,523.30.

In other business, the board approved accounts payable for $5,546.88, set a hearing regarding the vacation or abandonment of a half-mile of Road 404 for 9::30 a.m. Monday, May 9, and agreed to dispose of a list of surplus property from the sheriff’s and assessor’s offices.

Following research by County Clerk Tami Teel, commissioners agreed to an agreement with Symmetry Energy for 85.5 per therm, contracted for two years.

Commissioners reviewed an annual report from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s Noxious Weed Program on Red Willow County’s program.

The county received good marks in topics such as survey results, county follow-up, roster, budget, activity, infestation and control plan, but no points for continuing education.

That could be explained by the fact Josh Mullen, the local director, who was just completing his first full year on the job, being unable to attend a continuing education session because of illness.

Commissioners also reviewed correspondence from the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement, reporting that the county jail passed the annual inspection; and a proposal from Figgins Construction for armor coating on the fairground.