‘Still Not Enough’: Lawrence County Confronts Mounting Road Costs
During their August work session, Lawrence County commissioners and department heads gathered to face an uncomfortable truth: the cost of maintaining roads and services is rising fast — and the money just isn’t keeping up.
Roads Falling Behind
Commission Chairman Nathan Kitchens kicked things off with a sobering overview of the county’s road conditions. Lawrence County maintains nearly 900 miles of roads, but paving efforts have slowed drastically. Between 1994 and 2005, the county paved 126 miles. From 2009 to 2025? Only 36 miles.
The culprit? Soaring prices. Kitchens laid out the numbers:
Liquid asphalt: $0.43 per gallon in 2000 vs. $2.28 today
Stone: $5.50 per ton in 2000 vs. $21 now
Contractor paving: $25.50 per ton in 2000 vs. over $85 today
Dump trucks: $83,000 in 2005 vs. over $250,000 now
Motor graders: $153,000 in 2000 vs. $325,000 now
Even with $1.3 million in additional funding from the Rebuild Alabama Act, Kitchens said it “still does not get us where we need to be.”
Funding Ideas on the Table
Kitchens proposed reallocating money from fund 112 (the county’s general fund) to the road department, which could bring in around $850,000 per year. He noted the fund has generated about $821,000 in revenue so far this year. While a big help, he admitted, “it still will not fix our roads.”
Another idea that Kitchens proposed was to petition for the sale of alcohol in the county. If the petition is successful and passes on a ballot, the commission could allocate 80% of any future alcohol sales revenue in Lawrence County to road construction.
Toward the end of the session, County Engineer Winston Sitton introduced a long-term funding option through ALDOT. The plan could fund 110 miles of paving by borrowing against future gas tax revenue. But it would lock in those funds, leaving little room for unexpected needs or emergencies.
Budget Pressures Mounting
The county’s general fund currently sits at just over $3.5 million. The FY25 budget was approved with a $250,000 deficit, and projections show FY26 running about $294,000 in the red — largely due to rising insurance and electricity costs. If every department request were approved, the county could face a shortfall of up to $1.5 million.
Requests and updates from departments included:
Community Corrections: Requested $150,000 from opioid settlement funds to hire an administrative assistant. The goal is to bring some referrals back from Morgan County.
Child Advocacy Center: Asked for $5,000 from each of the four counties they serve. Lawrence County alone has referred 96 children this year, and federal cuts have tightened their funding.
Sheriff’s Department: The department reported it is about $6,700 under budget overall. A new GPS system for their 36-vehicle fleet was proposed — with a $16,000 startup cost but projected annual savings of $3,000.
Courtland Airport: The county will now collect $1,000 per month from the FAA and $400 from NOAA for tower and weather equipment leases. Rocket and sports car activities at the airport have been shut down for safety reasons.
Department of Human Resources: A representative gave an overview of the agency’s services, which include child welfare, adult protective services, SNAP, child support, and TANF.
Water Board: Commissioners were updated on a grant for a new sewer treatment plant at the industrial park — a big step for future growth.
Courthouse Renovation: Kitchens reported that substantial completion is expected by September 11.
Parks & Recreation: Kitchens opened a discussion about park safety concerns and upkeep, especially in older parks with damaged fences and bleachers. Commissioner Norman Pool emphasized the importance of equal funding between existing parks and new development.
Looking Ahead
The session wrapped with a clear message: money is tight, and hard choices lie ahead. With rising costs and limited revenue, the commission will need to weigh priorities carefully to balance infrastructure needs, departmental support, and long-term sustainability.
