Road
money options presented
One
proposal is for a countywide 3/8 cent sales tax
by Shana
Haines
Landmark reporter
On the shirttails of an announcement made by 2nd District
Commissioner Steve Wegner, it was a relatively quiet evening
for the public review of the Platte County Roads Master
Plan Tuesday night.
Prior to the meeting's start, Wegner announced the public
meeting was an informative session, not a venue for residents
to offer complaints.
Although there were some issues stuck in the minds of
residents it was a relatively calm evening as county commissioners
and planning consultants from HNTB reviewed funding options
for the Roads Master Plan for Platte County.
The Platte County Roads Master Plan identifies 21 roads
in need of improvement, as well as improvements to bridges
which have been rated as deficient by the state.
Officials identified the improvements by looking at many
different criteria including current road conditions,
existing traffic counts, road classifications, traffic
sheds, future land use and public comment.
Officials identified the improvements needs as short
term, mid term and long term needs.
During Tuesday's public meeting, two funding options
were presented to residents which would allow the improvements
to be made.
Option 1 proposes a combination of several different
funding alternatives, including a county-wide property
tax increase, county road district tax increase, neighborhood
improvement districts, impact fees and an increase in
general revenue spending.
With an estimated $18,740,00 generated over a period
of 10 years from Option 1, less than half of the improvements
identified as needing repair would get completed, according
to officials.
Option 1 proposes an increase in county-wide property
tax. The increase would generate $1 million annually,
according to estimates.
County commissioners lowered the county-wide tax rate
a few years ago. A county-wide property tax can legally
be increased by commissioners to 9.5 cents without receiving
a vote from residents.
In Option 1 it is proposed funding for the improvements
come from a county road district tax of $135,000 over
a 10 year period.
Additional funding for the proposal includes a $79,000
yearly Neighborhood Improvement District funding. The
money would come from neighborhoods who taxed themselves
for improvements. This option would have to be approved
by the residents.
Impact fees of $120,000 and general revenue of $500,000
were also added to the 10 year plan for road improvements
with Option 1.
Option 2 proposes a 3/8-cent sales tax increase that
would be collected county-wide.
It is estimated a sales tax increase would generate approximately
$65,474,900 over 10 years.
The sales tax would fund all identified improvements
and provide money for each city for road improvements.
Nathan Pickett, a member of the steering committee for
the roads project, said he is in favor of the sales tax.
Pickett told the audience that when residents from outside
counties or states come to Platte County to shop, money
generated from the sales would help improve roads.
Those close to the plan expect more changes to be made,
according to Wegner. More meetings are anticipated concerning
the plan.
Wegner encouraged the public to offer opinions and ideas
about the Roads Master Plan.
"We do want to put together a good plan. To do that
we need your (residents) help. We want a good plan,"
Wegner said.
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