Staff will tender for new vehicle, recruit new operator ASAP

Lacombe County council will look to buy an additional grader in 2026 and recruit a new operator to drive it. The decision was made at the Mar. 12 regular meeting of council.

Director of Operations Bill Cade presented councillors with a report updating their desire to more closely examine the number of grader beats the municipality has, and whether that number should be boosted.

“Lacombe County has 1,046.75 miles of gravel roads, which are currently serviced by eight divisional graders, averaging 131 miles per division,” stated Cade’s report to council. “The division areas are currently unbalanced, with a range of 88.5 miles to 178.75 miles between divisions.

“These divisions were originally set up to create smaller divisions in higher-traffic areas and larger divisions in lower-traffic areas. However, traffic volumes and types have shifted with development around the lakes, industrial development, and oil and gas development. Additionally, there has been greater public demand for higher gravel road service levels.”

Cade pointed out a chart comparing eight rural central Alberta municipalities and their average miles per grader division; the higher the number, the more miles that operator is required to manage and, theoretically, the longer it takes to get the work done. Only two other municipalities had a higher number than Lacombe County.

Cade explained that by creating a ninth grader division, then tweaking current boundaries, the average number of miles could be reduced, likely resulting in grader work being completed more quickly.

However, he pointed out this required the purchase of another grader and the hiring of an operator to drive it. Cade noted in his report this proposal is not included in any budget. Cade’s report estimated the purchase and set-up of a grader would be about $700,000, plus about $270,000 for future operating costs.

During discussion, councillors asked how quickly a grader and operator could be acquired; Cade responded that if the tender went out immediately, the vehicle would likely be delivered in four to five months, but there is no guarantee. Cade added that it wouldn’t be the current year model and that prices don’t seem to be dropping.

As councillors discussed the issue, Coun. Dana Kreil observed the public has requested more grader service and asked why not start it in 2026?

Cade stated road complaints come into the county office year-round, and this winter’s freeze-thaw cycle proved a challenge for the public works department. Cade stated service level expectations from the public seem to be increasing and may have something to do with increased industrial traffic.

As the discussion progressed, Cade observed recruiting a grader operator also takes time and can be challenging; he noted a suitable operator could be in place right around the time the new grader should be delivered. That depended, noted Cade, on council making a decision immediately.

Councillors discussed sticking to the traditional budget process and possibly buying a new grader in 2027 after it’s been discussed. It was noted the county could begin recruiting now regardless, and a “back-up” grader could be used.

Councillors passed a resolution to proceed in 2026: Lacombe County will begin the tender process for a new grader and begin the recruiting process for an operator as soon as possible.