Staff cutbacks combined with a reduction in road work, budgets, and what level of service should be provided on 200 miles of Vilas County highways was discussed by the county highway committee Tuesday.
Highway Commissioner Nick Scholtes said due to staff shortages mowing and crack sealing has been put off, only three miles of new pavement will be done this year, and the county could lose some discretionary state funds for work of state highways.
CommitteeCchairman Charles Rayala felt more effort needed to be directed toward department self-sufficiency while member Art Kunde said the county has kicked the can down the road too often and it was time to step up.
Final 2017 budget proposals are to be submitted next month.
In other business, the committee approved bid work on one mile each of Highways G, B, and F to Pitlik & Wick costing $464,000 and the $120,686 bid of Farhner Asphalt for center and fog line stripping. The committee discussed a way to obtain $158,000 in lost Town Road Improvement Funds from the Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation and return them to seven towns.
