The Marshall County Highway Department began work on roads this week and the action has already caused a stir on social media.
Many residents are complaining about the quality of the product being installed and the fact that some roads are going back to a gravel state.
Highway Superintendent Jason Peters presented an asset management plan to the commissioners on Monday that includes 43 miles of roads to be reclaimed, or ground up, due to their current state. It is the hope that the roads will return to their former condition.
Commissioner Kurt Garner said that he will back the plan as long as there is funding to put the roads back to proper condition. He hopes the council can support the department with the funding needed to reach that goal. He said the county will have to find ways to secure funding as money coming into the county is becoming less and less.
Highway Administrator Laurie Baker presented revenue information to the commissioners on Monday.
“Between 2015 and 2016 in the Motor Vehicle Highway fund, we gained $18,000 and in 2017 we lost money. It ends up being a net loss of $23,771 in MVH for the first four months of the year. In local roads and streets, you increased, in 2015 to 2016, $771 but lost $8,013.90 in 2017 for a total loss of $31,000.”
The commissioners are waiting for the final vote of the legislature concerning road funding. A final vote on a 20-year plan could come today, a day ahead of the end of the session. The House and the Senate have endorsed a gas tax increase of $.10 with annual penny increases to keep up with inflation. An extra $15.00 could be tagged onto vehicle registrations.
