WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE PRICE INCREASES FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

  

Washington County Commissioners approved price increases to contracts with two companies for road construction materials at their meeting today (Tuesday).

The court agreed to a 10 percent increase in price with 979 Trucking out of La Grange, and a 23 percent price increase from Texas Star Transportation out of Somerville.

County Engineer Wesley Stolz said both contracts were awarded in December, and are alternate bids.  He said since they are alternates, it does not necessarily mean the county has to utilize the vendor and deal with the higher prices.

 

Commissioners shared frustration on higher prices and their negative impact on the ability to maintain roads and infrastructure.  Commissioner Joy Fuchs said “everything is going up”, but the county needs to make sure its five-year road plans are taken care of and that it is “doing the roads we’ve got to do,” not cutting them out.

Commissioner Candice Bullock said road conditions cannot entirely be blamed on current supply chain problems, as this is “an issue that we all inherited” and has existed “well before I ever took office.”  She said the issues stem from “irresponsibility” related to budgeting properly for the creation of paved roads and their maintenance costs.  She said this court is doing the best it can with the economy and current circumstances, and is not being careless with its funds.

The new price from Texas Star Transportation increases the price for commercial flex base to $29.25 per ton, delivered to the county.  Stolz said the increase moves the company from being the third-lowest bidder to the highest.

The adjusted price with 979 Trucking brings the price for limestone base delivered to the county up to $22.80 per ton.  The company, according to Stolz, remains the second-lowest bidder.

Currently, the county’s lowest price bidder for materials is Brannon Industrial Group (BIG), at a delivery rate of $18.50 per ton.  Stolz said he does not foresee BIG needing to increase prices at this time.

In other action, the court approved changing next week’s meeting date from a Tuesday to a Monday, due to the county judge and commissioners attending a conference.

Commissioners also:

• Agreed to abandon and discontinue public use of two county maintained roads in the Burton Villas subdivision, fronting FM 2679 in Burton, and quit claiming of 2.48 acres to the Burton Villas HOA. Stolz said the concrete roads are being taken in as private roads.
• Approved a subdivision variance request regarding a land division fronting FM 50 in Precinct 3.
• Approved a 90 day extension of 30 excess vacation hours for David Jones with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.