Boone County will continue partnering with the state to provide snow and ice services on certain state-owned roadways within the county, officials said.
During the last couple of snow and ice seasons, the county has entered an agreement with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to address approximately 50 miles of state roadways, Boone County Assistant County Administrator/County Engineer Rob Franxman said.
“KYTC has continued to experience personnel contractor shortages again this year and has requested the county partner with them in an effort to provide a safe transportation system during the winter,” Franxman said. “The county is currently making arrangements to treat 53 miles of KYTC roads, in addition to the nearly 450 miles of county roads.”
The county’s contract with the cabinet stipulates the agency will pay the county a base fee of $130,200 to provide three snow and ice trucks dedicated to service on state roads, as well as a base fee of $12,000 for salt storage.
During actual snow operations, the cabinet will compensate the county $150 an hour per driver — in accordance with what drivers typically make — and $92.95 per ton of salt used.
“The addition of these miles will continue to be a burden on the public works staff, but trying to improve the safety of the citizens of Boone County is certainly the right thing to do,” Franxman said. “It provides optimal services to the citizens of the county.”
Kenton and Campbell counties are also assisting with snow and ice servicing on state-owned roadways.
“We really don’t have much of a choice in this,” District 3 Commissioner Jesse Brewer said. “If we say no, then they don’t send anybody anyway.”