Union County hears secondary roads budget request

Following work in 2024, which the board of supervisors said deserved a “pat on the back,” Union County heard a funding request from County Engineer Christian Boehmer for fiscal year 2026.

Boehmer made his request for Union County Secondary Roads, which covers 699.9 miles of roadways within Union County. The department holds 23 employees, including 19 maintenance employees, two construction technicians, an office manager and an engineer.

Secondary roads’ work was commended by the county board. Supervisor Rick Friday noted how there were 62 posted bridges, or bridges which require work, listed in a previous report. Since then, 11 have been worked on in the span of one year.

“You guys have got more done in the last year then we’ve had in five years,” Friday said.

New equipment earmarked in secondary roads’ budget request includes a new pickup truck, a skid loader with attachments, a dump truck and a brush head for an excavator.

Two reasons for any increases to the 2026 budget were given by Boehmer. The first is the predicted estimated price for materials, ranging from raw materials like steel to chemicals like herbicide, which will be used for county maintenance. The second would be raises to employee salaries.

A goal for secondary roads was to keep work and projects in-house, noting an increase in quality and lower costs to multiple projects. During a discussion on mowing services, Roads Superintendent Al Hysell explained how those familiar with the area will work faster.

“If the guys know the county, they’re more comfortable with the equipment,” Hysell said. “We move along at a higher rate of speed. It’s working out pretty decent.”

Boehmer noted how outside help is sometimes necessary.

“If we’re busy with other stuff and we need to hire some more help, we will,” Boehmer said.

Secondary roads’ budget would run for $11.1 million, which features a raise of less than 1% compared to last year’s budget.

The Union County board approved a letter of engagement with the county’s bond attorney to update the secondary roads’ urban renewal plan and create steps to realize a new bond relating to borrowing revenue on wind turbines. Boehmer said the revenue on turbines is guaranteed “as much as it can be.”

Hysell also updated the board on a few ongoing projects, including the progress of a bridge repair on Squirrel Avenue, located east of Arispe. Roads have been busy with combatting against inclement weather in recent days, including working a 12-hour day (5 a.m. to 5 p.m.) last Wednesday, Feb. 12, to clear roads of snow.

Obsolete equipment removal was discussed, with Hysell saying how some antique equipment, which he said was “in good shape,” could be given to museums. The process, involving processing equipment and materials placed in storage, was expected to take a while.

“For some reason we even keep empty boxes,” Hysell said.

In other Union County news...

Union County Sheriff Brian Bolton presented a contract for Chief Deputy Dan McNeill. The contract would give McNeill a salary tied to 85% of Bolton’s, with 5% added in longevity. This removes the options for overtime by offsetting extra hours worked to time-off days.

The contract is meant to align with former chief deputy Steve Maitland’s contract. Any decision related to the contract was tabled for next week’s meeting so the board and county HR can review the contract.

The board entered an exempt session to discuss negotiations with union representatives before a budget work session.

The next Union County Board of Supervisors meeting will take place Wednesday, Feb. 26 instead of on Monday to avoid conflict with Dennis Brown’s mother’s funeral.