Officials with the Department of Local Government Finance have not yet returned a decision on a Marshall County ordinance that increases the Cumulative Bridge Fund by $.0524 per $100 of assessed valuation. County officials are attempting to avoid a serious deficit in that fund next year to ensure there is enough money to fund repairs to the county’s bridges for public safety.
The county oversees 117 bridges in the county.
A public hearing conducted by the Department of Local Government Finance was held last week as at least 10 petitioners filed objections to the increase in a timely manner to the state. Marshall County Auditor Julie Fox, Marshall County Commissioner Kevin Overmyer, USI Consultant Phil Beer, and Marshall County Councilman Jon VanVactor testified in favor of the increase. None of the petitioners were present at the meeting to voice their objections, but petition carrier, Bev Sammons, indicated to the auditor that she would be sending her comments via mail.
Fox said that there is a grace period in order for all petitioners to submit their objection letters so a decision may not be rendered until late this month or early June.
