County Requests New Site for Road Material Storage

The Olney City Council on Monday began the process of relocating the Young County Precinct 3’s dirt and gravel storage piles, following a request from County Commissioner Alan Craig for a new long-term lease on two acres of city-owned land near the Olney Convenience Station.

The county currently stores its piles behind the former Cherrydale building, now owned by Tower Extrusions. The land was previously leased by the city to the county but has since reverted to Tower through a Texas Capital Fund agreement dating back more than two decades. Tower made its final payment on the lease-to-own agreement in October 2024 and is preparing to expand its operations on the site— requiring the county to vacate the area.

Commissioner Craig’s representative, Tommy Kimbro, told the Council that the county needs to move an estimated 200 loads of dirt and 15 loads of gravel. The county estimates the relocation will cost about $10,000, including overtime labor. In response, the Council agreed to clear and survey a two-acre parcel of wooded land west of the Convenience Station and to consider a new fiveyear lease agreement with two optional five-year renewals. The proposed lease amount is $100 per year—down from the previous $500 per year lease—helping to offset the county’s moving costs.

Clearing the new site is expected to cost the city approximately $5,000, according to Mayor Rue Rogers. The city will also explore building a separate entrance to the site to reduce interference with Convenience Station operations.