Marshall County may be readying for a lack of state action on road funding.
During Monday morning’s Marshall County Commissioners meeting, a matter was reviewed arising from discussions with local government officials at Swan Lake Country Club.
County officials have expressed an interest in continuing to pursue increased road funding, even if the state of Indiana does not follow through with its plans to increase funding at the state level.
County Attorney Jim Clevenger says this is a way to observe what’s capable of passage.
“Basically it’s suggesting to the local governments: you talk about this and tell us what you think might be appropriate,” says Clevenger.
The County has considered a wheel tax in the recent past, but did not receive approval.
Now, the Commissioners are intent to survey Town and City governments to better understand the available options. Both a County Economic Development Income Tax and a Local Option Highway User Tax are possibilities.
The survey would ask local governments to identify if they would prefer one option over the other. A possibility for a combination of the two would also be part of the questions.
Commissioner Deb Griewank says preparation is key.
“My thought process is: anything that we can get moving now,” says Griewank. “Because there are such deadlines for all of this stuff.”
The Commissioners said they wanted to lay the groundwork to be prepared in the instance a state road funding plan falls through. A resolution for each option was also requested to be prepared so the Commissioners could evaluate the survey and select the best option.
The Commissioners will pick the matter back up at their next meeting.
