Commissioners debate limiting road-and-bridge growth to 3.4% and commit to clearer levy plan

Commissioners spent substantial time discussing the proposed road-and-bridge levy and whether to limit routine road-and-bridge budget growth to 3.4% — roughly the rate commissioners said matched expected tax growth — instead of the provisional 5.8% increase. One commissioner argued that holding the road-and-bridge budget to 3.4% could save roughly $120,000 to $134,000 and would reduce transfers from the general fund.

Commissioners sought a transparent, public-facing plan that would explain where levy proceeds would be spent if enacted. They discussed dedicating a significant portion to fleet and bridge projects, backfilling projects delayed to pay for the Stone Church Bridge, and developing two 5-year plans: one that assumes the levy passes and one that does not. "If the levy is successful, we could restore it," a commissioner said; another added that voters want specific project lists before they cast ballots. Staff were directed to prepare the plans and present them before early voting begins.