2024-12-04 Public Works updatePublic Works Update
December 4, 2024
1:03 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, County Manager Ryan
Barrett, Becky Butler, Geoff Soderquist, Wes Anderson, Josh Metcalf
Guest(s):
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
Geoff Soderquist provided updates on Public Works hiring and projects:
Recently filled three positions
Completed construction projects in 2024
• Graf Road culvert replacement
• Logan Hill Road
• Shorey Road Bank stabilization
• Lucas Creek
• Centralia Alpha Phase I
• North Hamilton culvert
• Haywire Road
Commissioner Swope, Ryan Barrett and Becky Butler left around 2 p.m.
New revenue through levy rate plus a portion of the banked capacity.
Upcoming maintenance/construction project status update
Current/Upcoming grant pursuits
Current challenges
• Filling vacant positions: making progress but will continue to be a challenge
• New/inexperienced staff internally
• New/inexperienced staff at regulatory and granting agencies
• Revenue
• Consultant vs County costs Geoff outlined the costs associated with serving as the pass-through
for area entities’ Community Development Block Grants, etc., especially for entities that don’t
support county roads. He noted that those projects will cut into work the department can
tackle.
• Staff morale
• Contractor Claims
Expectation for communications and planning efforts in the future
Josh Metcalf and Wes Anderson left at 2:22 p.m.
Geoff said he will begin providing a quarterly newsletter of sorts to outline Public Works’s projects.
Meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m.