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Panel debates MDOT capacity funding and whether municipalities bear utility relocation costs
Summary
Senator Thompson described MDOT's budget increases for salaries, maintenance and a three‑year highway plan; Senator Wiggins pressed MDOT on reports that municipalities were being required to pay utility relocation costs up front for capacity projects, and MDOT agreed to follow up.
Senator Thompson summarized House Bill 1938 for the Mississippi Department of Transportation, highlighting increases for salary authorizations, vacancy funding, maintenance and construction, commodities (asphalt, fuel, aggregates), and a $9,000,000 allotment for a three‑year highway plan. He referenced a capacity projects package totaling $265,000,000 that combines special funds and capital expense funds.
Senator Wiggins raised a substantive concern: municipalities in his district had been told they must pay utility relocation costs at their own expense before capacity projects would move forward. He said the local obligation could amount to nearly $20,000,000 for combined municipalities and questioned whether relocation costs should be treated as part of the project cost. MDOT representatives said relocation is generally part of the total project cost but that they would follow up to clarify funding rules and specific project sources.
"My promise to you is that I will get with the department and get with you and try to try to drill down on that and try to get an answer for it," Senator Thompson said in response to Wiggins’ question. The committee approved the motion to move the bill forward.
