Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Elkhart County approves notice to bidders for County Road 20 access road, extends INDOT coordination as funding shifts
Summary
County commissioners authorized posting bids for the County Road 20 access road and approved an INDOT coordination contract while staff said a recent $2 million EDIT appropriation will cover near-term shortfalls from state excise tax changes.
Elkhart County commissioners on June 22 authorized county staff to post notice to bidders for construction of the County Road 20 access road and approved an Indiana Department of Transportation coordination contract related to a nearby intersection project.
The Highway Department's Kell Wegner told the board the access-road project is located on the west side of 17 and County Road 20 and that the county council had already approved a $1 million appropriation for the work. On the INDOT-funded intersection project, staff said the contract extends the final inspection date with the contractor while the project closes out under INDOT's 80/20 reimbursement arrangement.
Why it matters: Commissioners were also briefed on how recent state changes to local gas- and excise-tax collections could affect road revenue. Wegner said the county is not planning project cuts for this year after the council approved $2 million from the EDIT (Economic Development Income Tax) fund to continue paving, chip seal and other construction.
—7We just got approval last week through council for $2 million from EDIT to continue on our paving, chip seal, and other construction,—8 Wegner said. He added county cash balances are being used to carry expenditures until revenue stabilizes.
Commissioners asked whether June travel-driven receipts (the county's largest monthly generator) could leave the year's totals lower than anticipated; staff said they were not yet concerned and expected revenue to begin returning in early July. The board voted to approve posting the notice to bidders and to approve the INDOT coordination contract; the motions carried.
Next steps: The county will post the notice to bidders for the County Road 20 access road and continue coordination with INDOT on the intersection project as final inspections are completed.
