Monday morning County Auditor Julie Fox told the Marshall County Commissioners that the public hearing for the increase rate for the Cumulative Bridge Fund will be Wednesday, May 9th at 11 a.m. in the second floor meeting room of the County Building.
Earlier this year the commissioners went through the process to increase the Cum Bridge rate to $.0524 per $100 of assessed valuation when it was determined the county would see the fund go into the red in the next year. It was estimated the average household would see an annual increases of approximately $26.
The commissioners are not requesting to move the rate to the maximum level, but only increase to what is needed to cover the current needs of the county to keep the bridges safe and open to the public. It was estimated the increase will bring another $660,000 to the county for bridge repairs and reconstruction.
The public hearing before an attorney from the Department of Local Government Finance was set because a handful of county tax payers petitioned against the increase.
Both sides will be able to present during the hearing. Kevin Overmyer, President of the County Commissioners is expected to speak on behalf of the county along with a representative from USI who presented the commissioners with a long term bridge plan which showed the shortfall in funding.
The DLGF will gather all information and make a decision at a later date.
The public hearing is open to the general public.
