Management and Performance Review of County Government ...

Maintenance – Equipment and Structures of Jefferson County
According to a list of active employees dated February 14, 2005, Jefferson
County’s R&B Department has 62 full-time and six part-time employees to repair and
maintain 413 miles of roads within the county. Although each precinct has different
staffing patterns, most comprise two foremen (for roads and drainage), senior and heavy
equipment operators, mechanics, maintenance workers, part-time helpers and some
administrative support. In addition, two precincts have assistant superintendents.
The primary functions and activities of the Road and Bridge Department are:
• maintain and improve all county roadways, bridges and driveways. This
includes patching, resurfacing, hot mix overlays and seal coating;
• maintain interlocal agreements with municipalities;
• maintain county drainage systems and rights of way. Clean ditches and
culverts and replace deficient culverts;
• mow county right of ways;
• fabricate, install and maintain county road signs;
• respond to inquiries, complaints and requests for assistance regarding
road and bridge issues;
• maintain grounds at Walter Umphrey State Park;
• maintain selected cemeteries and parking lots; and
• maintain several miles of beach, a pier and several boat launches.
The Road and Bridge Department must cope with aging equipment and
machinery, due to a limited budget that seldom allows for upgrades or replacements.
Although the precincts’ R&B fund balances ranged from $719,000 to $2.9 million in
2003, these balances are being used to offset General Fund deficits and therefore are
not available for R&B use.
Exhibit 6-5 lists fund balances for the R&B fund and for the General Fund for
2000 through 2005.
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