Sellersburg approves interlocal agreement framework with Clark County for County Road 311 work; residents press for cost clarity
February 02, 2026 | Town of Sellersburg, Clark County, Indiana
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The Town of Sellersburg on Feb. 2 approved an ordinance authorizing entry into an interlocal agreement with the Board of Commissioners of Clark County to address improvements related to County Road 311.
Under the ordinance (2026‑R‑3), the county will pursue design and associated grants — including possible NDOT safety grants — and, pending completion and formal relinquishment, the town would take over maintenance responsibilities. Town staff told the council that preliminary cost estimates for the project design had ranged between $4 million and $6 million and that construction financing could involve a combination of TIF dollars, grant matches (examples cited include 90/10 or 80/20 structures) and other regional funds. Staff said ongoing maintenance after relinquishment would be supported by state‑allocated local roads and motor vehicle highway funds tied to certified miles.
Resident Charles Pierce urged the council not to enter a relinquishment arrangement without seeing design plans and firm construction costs first, warning it could expose the town to unexpected scope changes. "If we agree to pay for the construction, they'd have a major wish list; they can just start adding whatever they want on it," Pierce said.
Town staff and the consulting engineer said the county is pursuing grants to cover design, environmental work and right‑of‑way acquisition; the town would use TIF dollars for construction execution to avoid tapping the general fund. Staff emphasized that TIF dollars are restricted to designated TIF districts and are generated from increases in assessed commercial property values within those districts.
Council members pressed for clearer costings and design detail before substantive financial commitments, and staff said the process to secure grants and move from preliminary engineering through construction could take several years. The ordinance passed by voice vote; staff said final design scopes and cost breakdowns would be reported to the council as they become available.
Under the ordinance (2026‑R‑3), the county will pursue design and associated grants — including possible NDOT safety grants — and, pending completion and formal relinquishment, the town would take over maintenance responsibilities. Town staff told the council that preliminary cost estimates for the project design had ranged between $4 million and $6 million and that construction financing could involve a combination of TIF dollars, grant matches (examples cited include 90/10 or 80/20 structures) and other regional funds. Staff said ongoing maintenance after relinquishment would be supported by state‑allocated local roads and motor vehicle highway funds tied to certified miles.
Resident Charles Pierce urged the council not to enter a relinquishment arrangement without seeing design plans and firm construction costs first, warning it could expose the town to unexpected scope changes. "If we agree to pay for the construction, they'd have a major wish list; they can just start adding whatever they want on it," Pierce said.
Town staff and the consulting engineer said the county is pursuing grants to cover design, environmental work and right‑of‑way acquisition; the town would use TIF dollars for construction execution to avoid tapping the general fund. Staff emphasized that TIF dollars are restricted to designated TIF districts and are generated from increases in assessed commercial property values within those districts.
Council members pressed for clearer costings and design detail before substantive financial commitments, and staff said the process to secure grants and move from preliminary engineering through construction could take several years. The ordinance passed by voice vote; staff said final design scopes and cost breakdowns would be reported to the council as they become available.
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