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County to hold public hearing on proposal to shift bridge levy to drain fund for one year
Summary
A county presenter asked the council to temporarily pause bridge cumulative collections for one year and instead collect into a new drain fund to accelerate urgent drainage repairs; the council authorized a public hearing and set an evening meeting for April 20 to meet DLGF timelines.
Brad told the Whitley County Council on April 17 that a one‑year reallocation of cumulative fund collections could let the county accelerate urgent drainage repairs without raising overall taxes, by reducing collections for the bridge cumulative fund and increasing collections for a new drain cumulative fund.
"Turn down bridge for a year, turn up drain for a year to collect money on that, and then restore the rates back to what they were for 2028," Brad said, describing the mechanics of the proposed temporary swap. He noted the change would not increase total tax collections but would shift which capital bucket receives the money in the short term.
County staff advised the council that the State Board of Accounts and the Department of Local Government Finance treat the establishment of a new drain fund as a process that requires a public hearing and a 30‑day remonstrance period. Brad said he had discussed the approach with the three county commissioners, who were supportive, but that the formal public process must run before any levy changes take effect.
To meet DLGF filing deadlines, the council authorized staff to schedule a supplemental public hearing and agreed on an evening hearing date of April 20 at 6:00 p.m. for transparency and public access. Council members and staff discussed publication timing for notice and which days satisfy statutory publicization rules.
Why it matters: moving collections between cumulative funds changes which capital projects can be advanced in the near term; Brad said the shift would allow the drainage board to address emergency projects or otherwise accelerate repairs that might otherwise wait up to five years for replacement under current collection triggers.
What happens next: drainage staff must publish the hearing notice and file materials with the Department of Local Government Finance so the remonstrance period and DLGF review can proceed. Any levy or collection changes will only occur after the public process and required filings.
