Commissioner faults use of soft rock
Staff writer
The county’s use of soft rock on roads saves money in the short term but not long term, commissioner Clarke Dirks said.
He said he had visited a few locations where soft rock was used a few months ago. The repairs did not hold.
“It may cost us a little bit more, but if we went with a harder rock, it would last much longer,” he said. “We would save money in the long run.”
Hard rock would last five years, while softer rock might last six months, he said.
“It may be two to three years before we see any savings,” he said, adding the county could break even after just two years.
When sellers offer the county to sell rock, the county should tell them four to five locations to place the material.
Whoever wins the bid should have no longer than six months to deliver, he said.
“Once it gets here, we can use our equipment to put it on the roads where we need it,” Dirks said.
Roads and Bridges are using harder rock on rebuilds, he said.
“We have to get a game plan,” he said. “Right now, they spend more time responding to complaints than working on streets.”
In other news, commissioners agreed to extend courthouse security contract at the current rate.
County administrator Tina Spencer said if security was needed in the courtroom guards could check in with other county offices.