The County Council recommended an additional appropriation of $830,000 for the County Highway Department during their meeting Monday morning.
County Commissioner Kurt Garner appeared before the County Council seeking the additional for the highway and noting that with the mild weather we have had this spring and summer the highway department has been busy working on road projects. Garner said the highway has just over $100,000 left in to budget for roadwork but with lots of projects yet to complete.
The commissioner mentioned two larger projects that needed to be completed; Muckshaw Road between 18B and 19th Roads where the road is collapsing into the ditch on the west side of the road and the road at the dam at Lake of the Woods where the culverts must be repaired and the road improved. Garner asked for $830,000 from the Rainy Day Fund to complete the road work and keep county highway employees working.
Councilman Jon Van Vactor asked Garner is they could get by with $500,000 and he indicated they could but he would be back for additional funds to complete the projects deemed necessary.
Council president, Judy Stone suggested taking $500,000 from the county’s rainy day fund and $330,000 from the general fund noting that the Umbaugh Financial Report indicated up to half a million available in the general fund for a large project.
Heath Thornton motioned to recommend the suggested funding and councilman Jim Masterson seconded the motion with the full entire of the council the official paperwork for the additional appropriation will be completed in their August meeting.
