Road crew staff near full capacity

The Bollinger County Road and Bridge Department is nearly at full employment strength. Road supervisor Brad Gregg told the Bollinger County Commission last week that he had recently hired an employee who brought the total number of employees to 11 full time and two part time.

"There's room for one more full-time person," Gregg said.

District 2 Commissioner Chad Hulvey noted that the county commission had recently received three more applications, making a full staff within reach.

The road crew was at an all-time low not long ago with around three full-time employees, causing dissatisfaction among residents who live on county roads. Also dissatisfied were road employees who either left or would not apply for a job because of ridicule against them on social media and even in person.

The county commission and road supervisors made a special, successful effort to recruit qualified candidates. Only the weather and limits surrounding the acquisition of gravel and chat stand in the way of road repair, according to the commissioners.

In other action, the county commission and Gregg agreed to start making road identification signs. Hulvey said it costs the county $220 for each sign it replaces through purchase. The group expects to save money by purchasing sheet metal, cutting the signs, and painting and lettering them.

Signs are routinely stolen as a prank, Hulvey said. Stolen signs are a safety hazard and difficult to track, he said, and the sheriff's office and prosecuting attorney don't give the incidents a high priority.