MUSCATINE, Iowa - It's hard to predict the future, but Muscatine City Council is taking careful steps to be prepared for unfavorable circumstances.
One big problem? The possible loss of more than $90,000 from the Road Use Tax fund.
Iowa Gov. Chet Culver has proposed pulling more than $50 million from the Road Use Tax fund from counties and cities across the state to help fund the Iowa State Patrol budget, which would yank money from city and county budgets for public works and road maintenance.
The Muscatine City Council has denounced Culver's plans and is hoping to keep a hold of the money.
"We're not the only ones out there [losing the road money]," Muscatine City Administrator Gregg Mandsager said.
Public Works director Randy Hill said many projects, even as small as patching city roads, could be affected by the possible withdrawal of money. Finance Director Nancy Lueck said the outcome of the funds are uncertain until the governor's budget is complete.
Muscatine's roadway maintenance budget for 2010-11 is $1,264,300, which is $44,400 under the previous year's budget due to decreased allocation for capital outlay. The only
capital outlay listed for roadway maintenance is a new four-by-four backhoe, which will cost an estimated $135,500. Another $50,000 will be used for the grinding of old concrete and blacktop.
Street maintenance supervisor Randy Howell said the current backhoe is more than 20 years old and is costing more to maintain.
Hill also stressed interest in trail development. He said a trail committee will be approaching the City Council in the near future, and while grants are likely available for construction of trails, the design cost would be absorbed by the City.
An estimated $600,000 is currently being held for the Cedar Street project, which is expected to begin in 2011. Hill said the money, which is funded with federal Surface Transportation Project funds, is secure as long as headway continues to be made. Hill said updates and planning has been submitted to keep the funds place.
Hill added that sidewalks have been neglected over the years due to the loss of a sidewalk checks
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One big problem? The possible loss of more than $90,000 from the Road Use Tax fund.
Iowa Gov. Chet Culver has proposed pulling more than $50 million from the Road Use Tax fund from counties and cities across the state to help fund the Iowa State Patrol budget, which would yank money from city and county budgets for public works and road maintenance.
The Muscatine City Council has denounced Culver's plans and is hoping to keep a hold of the money.
"We're not the only ones out there [losing the road money]," Muscatine City Administrator Gregg Mandsager said.
Public Works director Randy Hill said many projects, even as small as patching city roads, could be affected by the possible withdrawal of money. Finance Director Nancy Lueck said the outcome of the funds are uncertain until the governor's budget is complete.
Muscatine's roadway maintenance budget for 2010-11 is $1,264,300, which is $44,400 under the previous year's budget due to decreased allocation for capital outlay. The only
capital outlay listed for roadway maintenance is a new four-by-four backhoe, which will cost an estimated $135,500. Another $50,000 will be used for the grinding of old concrete and blacktop.
Street maintenance supervisor Randy Howell said the current backhoe is more than 20 years old and is costing more to maintain.
Hill also stressed interest in trail development. He said a trail committee will be approaching the City Council in the near future, and while grants are likely available for construction of trails, the design cost would be absorbed by the City.
An estimated $600,000 is currently being held for the Cedar Street project, which is expected to begin in 2011. Hill said the money, which is funded with federal Surface Transportation Project funds, is secure as long as headway continues to be made. Hill said updates and planning has been submitted to keep the funds place.
Hill added that sidewalks have been neglected over the years due to the loss of a sidewalk checks
Read Full Article
Sphere: Related Content
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