Officials discuss Local Option Highway User Tax and road projects; no vote taken

Steuben County officials on Feb. 10 heard a presentation on a possible Local Option Highway User Tax (LOHUT) to generate dedicated revenue for road maintenance, but took no formal action.

Richard Domonkos, a training specialist with Indiana LTAP through Purdue University, outlined how a locally imposed LOHUT could produce dedicated funding for county and municipal road maintenance. Jennifer Sharkey, Steuben County Highway Engineer, said the county is behind on road maintenance and presented a plan that prioritizes low-cost, high-return treatments such as crack-sealing to extend pavement life.

Sharkey also described specific projects: increased design standards driven by INDOT have raised the cost of the Orland Maple Street project, prompting a request to reallocate $50,000 from fuel savings into road repair and $50,000 within Major Moves for construction; the council approved those transfers. Sharkey reported that the CR 200 N/SR 827 widening project received federal reimbursable grant funding structured as 80 percent state reimbursement and a 20 percent local match; Angola and Steuben County will each cover half of the local share (10 percent each).

Several town and city officials attended and were asked to indicate support; President Richard Shipe said most in attendance gave positive indications by show of hands. Shipe urged council action before the July 1 deadline for adopting the ordinance so collections could begin in January 2016, but he also said the council would prefer to act with full membership present.

Mike Marturello asked when the council might take action. Shipe said timing was still under discussion and that participating towns should help inform residents and build support.

No ordinance or formal vote on LOHUT occurred at the Feb. 10 session. The county council remains the body responsible for passage of any implementing ordinances.