A date for a public hearing concerning petitions filed against the Cumulative Bridge Fund increase remains pending.
Auditor Julie Fox told the county commissioners Monday morning that 13 signatures were certified on a petition that was submitted to the Department of Local Government Finance. The people on the petition are opposed to the increase of $.0524 per $100 of assessed valuation to reestablish the Cumulative Bridge Fund. Per state statute, the first 10 petitioners will be notified of the public hearing and they will be allowed to speak.
The commissioners adopted an ordinance for the increase in the Cumulative Bridge Fund in March. A public hearing on the matter was held on March 19 with no public comment.
Once the Department of Local Government Finance sets a hearing, it will be published for public notification. Fox said a hearing could be scheduled at the end of April or early May.
The increase in the Cumulative Bridge Fund will help keep the fund solvent. County officials are anticipating a deficit in that fund in 2019 which causes concern about funds to rebuild bridges for public safety.
