Marshall County Council members continued their discussion on road funding Monday morning.
Councilman Jesse Bohannon’s three motions sparked the conversation. As promised during last week’s joint work session with the Marshall County Council and the Marshall County Commissioners, Bohannon offered a motion that asked to table Representative Jack Jordan’s House Bill 1311. That bill “provides that money accumulated from the Marshall County additional tax rate for criminal justice facilities, after the tax imposed is terminated, shall be transferred to the County Jail Fund to be established by the county treasurer (rather than to the county highway fund under current law).”
Bohannon also asked in a motion that the terminology be changed to reflect “Rainy Day Fund” instead of “County Jail Fund” to add flexibility.
The House Bill was initiated by a resolution approved by both the Marshall County Council and Marshall County Commissioners in December to try and provide a long-term solution for funding operations at the Marshall County Correctional Facility. Councilman Jon VanVactor noted that the action had to be taken by the end of last year to be heard in this year’s legislation so a plan can be made.
In Bohannon’s third motion, the council would request Highway Superintendent Jason Peters to present a highway road plan in March that would utilize up to $2 million in road funding “to fully utilize the capacity of the Highway Department for road repair in the 2021 season.”
Councilman Jim Masterson cautioned the council members as the commissioners have direct authority over the Highway Superintendent. The commissioners approve the road plan. Peters often times goes before the council to ask to appropriate additional funds in case there is more work that can be done in a season. Masterson suggested that the council stays in their own lane.
Bohannon thought that the council could look to see how extra funding could be used in the plan.
Council President Tim Harman acknowledged Councilman Steve Harper’s comment that PASER ratings show that roads have improved, but he asked at what rate will it be acceptable by the public. He wants to accelerate the process.
Overmyer stated that the plan will be presented to the commissioners in an upcoming meeting and it would be presented to the council in a public meeting. The plan can be adjusted throughout the summer if the current workforce at the Highway Department has the available time. He noted several variables play into a summer road plan and Peters can add work, if necessary, but the additional work would be approved by the commissioners with proper advertisement of an additional appropriation, if necessary, for the council’s consideration.
Bohannon asked to adjust his last motion to ask the commissioners to appear before the council with the plan, but Overmyer said the council cannot force the commissioners to appear.
In the end, the motion to table House Bill 1311 was voted down by a vote of 4-2. Tim Harman and Jesse Bohannon supported the vote. Jim Masterson, Mandy Campbell, Jon VanVactor, and Steve Harper opposed the vote. Heath Thornton was not present. The third motion concerning the road plan was also voted down by a vote of 4-2 with the same council members in support and the same council members opposed.
