Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council reviews COAC request for a dedicated Highway 97 funding stream; no action taken
Summary
Scott Smith summarized a regional COAC proposal seeking a dedicated funding stream for safety improvements along Highway 97; councilors asked whether dedicated funding would detract from other regional projects and asked staff to circulate the COAC letter for further consideration at the next meeting.
Scott Smith presented a COAC (Central Oregon Area Commission) letter template requesting city support for a dedicated funding stream to make major safety improvements on Highway 97 from the Jefferson County line through Klamath Falls. "The idea is for asking for a dedicated large funding stream to make major safety improvements on the 97 Corridor," Smith said, describing regional coordination and the deliberately non‑specific project list to avoid early project handpicking.
Councilors questioned whether a 97‑dedicated fund would divert money from other Central Oregon projects and sought assurance that ordinary STIP project processes would remain available for local needs. Smith and COAC representatives said the intent is to create a new pot of money rather than reallocate existing STIP funds; the council took no formal vote but requested the COAC letter be circulated for possible action at a future meeting.
