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Staff: Washington County eligible for Community Crossings but not selected; wheel-tax lane-mile distribution is distinct program
Summary
County staff said Washington County remained eligible for the Community Crossings matching grant program but was not selected this year; staff warned that accepting lane-mile (wheel-tax) direct distribution funds reduces future Community Crossings eligibility and suggested the lane-mile model may favor Indianapolis.
County staff briefed the commissioners Jan. 4 on two state road-funding streams: the Community Crossings matching grant and the lane-mile direct distribution tied to a wheel tax.
"The matching grant Community Crossings ... is what we have always received, and we are 100% eligible for that," said Unidentified Speaker 5, the staff presenter. He said the county was eligible this cycle but was not selected for funding.
Speaker 5 clarified the lane-mile direct distribution (wheel-tax) is not a grant but a distribution based on a county's contribution and a state formula; any funds received through that program would reduce eligibility for the Community Crossings matching grant. "Whatever you get let's say you get 300,000. That is taken off of your eligibility for community crossing," Speaker 5 explained.
Speaker 10, a Scott County commissioner speaking from the meeting, said many counties experienced similar shortfalls this year and described the wheel tax as a way to shore up local infrastructure funding. Staff provided contact information for the state program manager and recommended continued applications to Community Crossings.
What happens next: Staff said they will continue applying for Community Crossings and suggested the board consider whether a local wheel tax is appropriate in the future; Fleck Engineering will also continue to support the county's applications under a $20,000 addendum approved by staff.
