Lake county asks for levy to maintain and improve roads

The Lake County road department is responsible for 1,200 miles of road, but maintaining those roads is a difficult task with old equipment in constant disrepair. 

Last winter, half the trucks with snowplows were unused because of mechanical failures. So, on June 1, the Lake County road department will mail out a levy ballot to ask voters for new equipment to maintain and improve county roads. The proposed levy is scheduled to last for two years and would generate $950,000 a year. Ballots must be returned to the Lake County Election office by 8 p.m. June 16.

According to the Lake County road department, the current fleet of trucks and other equipment is old and in disrepair. Jay Garrick, Supervisor of the department said, “The past two winters we have experienced multiple breakdowns that precluded us from providing the snow plowing and sanding necessary to allow for adequate travel throughout the county.”

Kioki Lopezdevictoria, the foreman and head mechanic in the department’s shop on U.S. 93 in Polson, says the trucks and snowplows are very old. The plow frames often break due to the stress of yearly work, and it’s his job to fix them. That could mean welding, strengthening the metal frames, and keeping the elements from taking their toll on the plows. Some of the plow frames are from the state, having already seen heavy use. “There’s only so many times you can repair them,” Lopezdevictoria said. Welding the frames over and over weakens the metal, he said. 

Last winter he saw electrical problems with a few of the newest trucks, which are nine years old. 

Lopezdevictoria said the need for new equipment has been discussed, and his team was asked what they needed to provide service for Lake County. “Basically, we needed trucks and snow plows,” he said. “And the trucks can be used year-round.” In the case of the trucks, in the warmer months, the plows come off and they are used for hauling gravel. 

The fleet of trucks has an average age of 18 years, according to the road department. Nine trucks service the needs of Lake County roads and bridges in two ways. In the winter, a small crew operates snowplows to clear major roads. In the summer, the trucks are used for grading roads, which is the main order of upkeep during the spring and summer.

Plow frames are the equipment most needed, Lopezdevictoria said. Due to the heavy weight and length of time on the road, the frames often break. Last winter, five of the nine trucks were out of commission due to frame issues. Lopezdevictoria operates the trucks as well as services them. He fixes the mechanical problems along with the other mechanic, Willie Bourdon. They are the entire crew that is in charge of solving problems at the maintenance shop.

Lake County is asking for 12 new trucks to be voted on the proposed ballot. If the voters of Lake County approve the levy, Lopezdevictoria hopes the new trucks will be available this winter. “I would hope for this winter,” Lopezdevictoria said. “But these things take time, so I wouldn’t expect it.” As for the trucks that are already in use they most likely will be sold to other departments or kept on site to be used for parts.