County considering paving amendment with increasing prices

ELLIJAY, Ga. – Public Works Director Jim Smith delivered a letter to the Board of Commissioners during their monthly work session today with expectations to need a budget amendment for rising costs in materials for paving and other projects.

Due to continuing inflation in prices, the county is looking at an estimated 30 percent increase, according to Smith. He also reported a letter from Vulcan Materials notifying the county of intent to increase prices. In that letter, Smith noted that Vulcan is increasing its prices by $2.25 per ton on wash stone, this is the main stone Gilmer uses for its paving. Additionally, they will also increase by $1.25 per ton for base stone along other increases on other materials.

Smith noted that Vulcan isn’t the only increase as other areas are also experiencing the increases in parts, piping, equipment, and more. Even in the capital budget, the Road Department is looking at serious need for replacement or repairs on two bridges on Rock Creek Road. Other options for these bridges could mean use of box culverts or metal piping. The county may be dipping into funds set aside for asphalt paving to go towards these bridges.

Commission Chairman Charlie Paris said that while a budget amendment may be necessary, the county needs to look at multiple options. He noted that the county could be looking at that by years end for this, but would also be looking at an amendment of the road paving list, meaning that the county may not get to pave every road they had originally planned to pave this year. However, he did note that they would be looking at repairing sections of the road if not fully repaving them.

Post 1 Commissioner Hubert Parker asked if the annual bidding process guarantees prices, but Smith stated that the bids are not contracted in that way. He read that the letter stated pricing increases will take effect on June 1. One option discussed among the commissioners in response to the change would be to find another supplier and abandon Vulcan should they not honor the prices as they were bid. However, DOT must approve quarries for use with state grant money.

While Road Department was the most discussed, amendments in other departments could come as additional increases are being seen across the county as well as delays in supplies and orders for projects like the Parks and Recreation work in River Park.