GCPW bracing for $132,000 loss

POMEROY–Garfield County Public Works (GCPW) is bracing for the potential loss of $132,000 in gas tax revenues for 2020 and will minimize the level of snow removal service, maintaining strict compliance with snow-plow policies.

Since Initiative 976 (I-976) passage, reorganization of funding from gas taxes has put pressure on the county to revise typical area management. In the past, money from the said tax was tagged and used to fund Garfield County Maintenance and Preservation programs, including Snow-Plowing Operations. As a result of funds being diverted to backfill the financial subsidy void left behind in other state and local transportation programs, GCPW faces providing only what is required to maintain relative safety.

Garfield County Road Department is responsible for plowing approximately 134 centerline miles of paved road and 251 centerline miles of gravel roads, which equates to approximately 1,038 pass miles of plowing to get over our roadway system one time. Public Works currently operates four trucks, four graders and two front-end loaders during a typical snow removal operation. Trucks are typically not used to remove snow on gravel roadways as they are prone to removing a significant amount of gravel from the roadway.

County Engineer Grant Morgan advises that the public should expect a reduction in level of service, not only in snow-plowing activities, but other maintenance and preservation activities as well. The department must make these adjustments in preparation for other potential funding cuts that may be coming as a result of I-976. The department will adjust accordingly as more is learned about the potential funding impacts during the upcoming legislative session. It is still uncertain as to what those impacts will be or how the executive (governor) and legislative branches will react.

“As winter approaches, residents, motorists and property owners need to be prepared for severe winter driving conditions, especially because we live in a rural area with periods of very hazardous winter driving conditions,” said Morgan.

The Garfield County Road Department will attempt to provide plowing and sanding services seven days a week, except during periods of time when weather conditions are too severe.

Snow plowing is based on safety priority and according to policy, emergencies declared by the Sheriff will be responded to at any time of day or night; School bus routes plowed Monday through Friday unless severe drifting and white-out conditions force suspension until wind/weather conditions subside. Typically, snow workdays start at 5 a.m., as determined by the County Engineer, and continue throughout the day as necessary to provide safe travel for buses and local motorists; Mail routes will be tended after school bus routes are opened; and rural roads serving residences, farms, ranches and livestock-feeding areas will be plowed once school and mail routes are open. Motorists and residents with emergencies must contact Garfield County Sheriff emergency 911 service.

Recreationists need to call the Garfield County Road Department or Garfield County Sheriff for current County road conditions.

Severe weather conditions that jeopardize safety of county personnel or equipment, as determined by the County Engineer, may cause temporary suspension of plowing operations until conditions improve. Plowing operations may also be suspended when there is not a reasonable assurance the road will remain passable for approximately six hours.

Minor snow events, with minor drifting and limited accumulations, may not be plowed, especially during non-working hours/days, depending on the severity of road conditions. This especially applies to gravel roads, Morgan said. The County Engineer, or designee, is responsible for making the determination whether or not plowing is necessary.

Removal of berms left by snow plows at residences and field approaches are “not” the county’s responsibility.