Commissioners rework wheel‑tax allocations as PACER restrictions and single‑lane miles alter choices

County staff and commissioners reviewed the local road/wheel‑tax (surtax) schedule and found several line items were incorrectly placed in the restricted wheel‑tax budget. The Chair directed staff to zero out noneligible lines (office supplies, some utilities) and keep professional services and general road repair in that restricted fund so the county does not violate PACER restrictions.

Commissioners pointed out the county recently received a single‑lane mileage distribution (estimated about $450,000) that is restricted for construction and cannot be used for wages or general utilities. Commissioner comments stressed the fund was overadvertised and that removing ineligible items would create a near‑term shortfall in the motor vehicle highway account that also needs rebalancing. Staff proposed making an additional appropriation in March if reimbursements do not materialize as expected.

The Chair asked highway liaisons to continue reconciling the line items and to return with an updated schedule showing the appropriate allocations to restricted versus unrestricted accounts.