Commissioner Jim Reid gave an interview responding to comments Ethan Wolfe made during citizens comments. Wolfe had criticized the expense of $800,000 on a dirt roads contract.

Reid outlined the history that led to the decision to use a private contractor. “In the early 2000s the Board of Commissioners at that time decided to quit mowing the roads from right-away to right-away.”

He told how the situation worsened. “Over the years, it got to where the county roads were never really graded.” He told how many were often impassable.

Reid heard reports of well-kept dirt roads in Macon County. He contacted a local commissioner, who told them about the contractor they used, Wendall Swartz.

Reid outlined the system by which roads are now maintained, with roads divided into three priorities based on traffic. Priority 1 roads would be bladed once a month, priority 2 roads would be bladed at least once every 60 days, and priority 3 roads would be scraped every 90 days.

He compared the difference. “Even the most untraveled roads, they would be scraped at least, or maintained at least, four times a year, whereas we had roads that had not seen a motor grader or any maintenance in three years.”

Reid told how he only received three complaints. “Now other than that, every time somebody ever contacts me, they’re always very grateful, there’re very appreciative.”

He addressed statements about the millage rate increase. “The other statement that Mister Wolfe made that I disagree with is that he said we raised property tax one mill to cover for the road contractor.” Reid told how they rolled back the millage rate after receiving COVID money. “All we’re doing is taking that one mill back. So the millage rate is no higher than it was pre-COVID.”

He gave another clarification. “The roads and bridges had been neglected and the money that . . . was in the budget that should have been used to maintain roads and bridges, were devoted to other wants, not necessarily the needs.”

Reid addressed Wolfe’s claim that they could hire more public works employees. “Either we’re going to pay the road contractor, or we’re gonna have to hire more people.” He told how the public works director had open positions he could not fill. “We would spend the same amount of money, because you’re going to have to increase the salary scale to attract the skilled operators.”

He told how retention is an issue. “Skilled operators are at a premium. And if you get a skilled operator, and some of these other construction companies find out about it, they’re going to promptly hire that person away from you.”

Reid also noted County employees regularly worked 8-hour shifts, though overtime was recently approved, which had limited time they could work.