Road department briefs commissioners on graveling plan, shop repairs and cameras

Road department staff briefed the Steele County Commission on maintenance priorities for the coming months, including spot graveling, shop repairs and proposals for additional shop cameras.

The road supervisor reported crews have been organizing the shop and are replacing a worn bobcat bucket skin. He said crews had been performing blading on problem spots and recommended marking current mud and low spots now for summer spot-graveling. Staff noted the county typically covers about 50 miles a year with spot work and aims to maintain a three-year rotation across the county.

The supervisor also confirmed a 5,000-gallon fuel tank currently on site is privately owned but has been made available for county use; commissioners asked staff to document any billing or storage-payment arrangements.

Commissioners discussed installing cameras around the shop for security and safety. The chair said cameras could help with safety incidents and recommended determining how many cameras would be needed and whether the county would need additional server capacity; staff was asked to research options and return with cost estimates.

The board did not take a formal vote on these operational items but directed staff to prepare maps and cost estimates for graveling and for the camera system so the items can be budgeted or brought back for formal approval.