Commissioners rework wheel-surtax budget, restore most operational spending to motor-vehicle fund

Commissioners reviewed the surtax/wheel-tax budget and concluded much routine operational spending — fuel, motor supplies, office supplies and utilities — should be returned to the motor-vehicle highway (1176) fund, leaving only professional services and general road repair in the wheel-surtax account. That move was designed to comply with restrictions on the surtax funds and to ensure construction‑eligible receipts remain available for capital projects.

County staff proposed increasing the general road repair line to about $1.6 million and placing $60,000 for PACER (pavement condition ratings) professional services in the surtax account. Participants then agreed to zero-out many smaller line items in the surtax account and move them back to the 1176 fund, acknowledging that the reallocations would create new pressure in the 1176 budget and require additional re-evaluation as state reimbursements and single-lane-mile distributions arrive.