WASHINGTON CO. GETTING UNDERWAY WITH IN-HOUSE ROAD PAVING

  

Washington County’s Engineering and Development Services (EDS) Department covered ongoing projects and some of what lies ahead for the department during its quarterly report at commissioners court today (Tuesday).

County Engineer Wesley Stolz said the department has coordinated the road paving list for each of the commissioner precincts as it begins in-house paving operations.  He said roadway construction was delayed somewhat due to January’s freezing temperatures and heavy rain, but progress on that list is now being made.

In terms of the equipment needed for in-house paving, Stolz said the department has received all critical items and is on track to have most of the remaining equipment, including dump trucks, a chip spreader and distributor truck, delivered soon.  He also said the county has worked to get out in front of material procurement and head that off as much as possible in order to avoid competing with other contractors or entities that are also obtaining materials.

Stolz mentioned that because of the transition to internal paving services, the county is greatly increasing the amount of flex base material it uses to improve the foundation of roadways.  He said this year, the county expects to use 70,500 tons of flex base material, up from approximately 34,000 tons in 2023 and 12,000 tons in 2022.  Commissioner Candice Bullock said the increase in materials is all “very intentional” and that the county is trying to get to “a true preventative maintenance program.”

Moving ahead, Stolz said the EDS department is looking at organizing a holistic permitting system in order to better work together as a singular entity, rather than having to tell customers to speak with different parts of the department. 

Stolz also noted a new internal policy where instead of taking tires left on the side of the road to the Brenham collection/transfer station, it will instead load up a trailer for a single trip to the Anderson landfill.  Stolz said this will lead to approximately $1,050 in savings throughout the year.

Commissioner Kirk Hanath said if the county is able to save on costs, it can do more with what it already has.  He said the commissioners understand that the shift to in-house paving is a major change, but they are “all on board,” adding that the county could “move mountains” if it gets this right.  Stolz said he is pleased in the direction of the department and that he feels its max potential has yet to be reached. 

Also during commissioners court today, Human Resources Director Angela Mlcak discussed planned changes to part-time bailiff pay from a daily rate to an hourly one.  She stated that surrounding counties do hourly pay, and that this currently does not change the budget, just the way the bailiffs are paid.  The hourly rate would be $26.71 per hour, which Mlcak said matches Austin County’s rate.  In comparison, the daily rates were $116.97 for 6 hours of work or less, and $175.45 for over 6 hours of work.  She reiterated that this is a current discussion, but it does not require court approval since it does not change the position title, department or budget line at this time.

In other business, commissioners:

• Proclaimed March 2^nd as Texas Independence Day in Washington County.  Hanath read a proclamation in honor of the observance and called upon the public to display the Texas flag throughout the month of March.
• Approved a subdivision variance request for a land division fronting Wildlife Circle, consisting of 37.42 acres in Precinct 4.  Commissioners originally opted on February 13^th to take no action on the item, but Stolz told the court today that he has visited with the landowner, who has agreed to meet the county’s minimum requirement of 60 feet of frontage, after the initial request had 40 feet of frontage.
• Approved the acceptance and addition of Bluebonnet Ridge Drive, White Bud Trail, Sledge Court, Chapel View Lane to the county road system.  The roads are part of the Bluebonnet Ridge subdivision in Precinct 2.
• Approved a final plat for Sweed Estates, consisting of four lots located along Sweed Road in Precinct 1.
• Discussed a formal notice for fiber removal by Frontier Communications in the Flag Pond Lane, Taplin Lane and Bredthauer Road right-of-way in Precincts 3 and 4.