County engineer wins approval to transfer funds to maintain $3M paving cycle

The Dearborn County Council approved a request from the county engineer to transfer existing community-crossings match funds into the county—s bituminous paving account to preserve the county—s planned $3 million paving cycle. Dodd Listerman, identified in the meeting as the county engineer, explained that recent state changes reduced the maximum Community Crossings award to $1 million per award and set local match rules; the county—s required 20% match for the engineer—s planned application is $250,000. Listerman asked the council to transfer funds so he can encumber contracts and bid work that will be let before year-end; he said if the transfer is not made the funds would revert to county general fund and the paving program would shrink to roughly $1.2——6M next year, stretching the paving cycle to more than a decade. Listerman told the council that his office has projects ready to bid and that the transfer is intended to allow letting a contract this year and to maintain the planned program. He also told the council about timing constraints tied to asphalt plants and the state program—s scheduling. The motion to approve the transfer was made and seconded; the council approved it by voice vote. County staff said the Community Crossings grant pool is more competitive this year because the state reduced the overall program funding. The engineer said the county will continue to prioritize collector roads in its applications and that bridge projects have longer lead times due to engineering requirements.