WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
The St. Joseph County Road Commission spent more than $5 million on road maintenance last year, down from $6.5 million in 2010, according to the agency’s manager, Louis Csokasy.
During his annual report to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last month, Csokasy said the agency did manage to complete 90 miles of road upgrades through chip-and-seal work in 2011, an increase from about 59 miles in 2010.
Csokasy said the commission’s fleet was upgraded with a boom mower, sign truck and grader, and four new plow/gravel trucks. A rack-sealing machine is on its way.
Other matters of interest he noted included the road commission board expanding from three to five members, and a three-year contract with its 29-member union workforce was negotiated.
Csokasy said the new contract features no wage increases, and includes improved work rules and requires a 20 percent share of employee insurance costs.
