Supervisors to discuss agreements
28E road measures to be considered in Webster Co.By LINDSEY MUTCHLER Messenger staff writer
Discussions to begin or amend 28E agreements with Webster County communities are in full swing.
Representatives from Lehigh, Dayton, Otho and Gowrie attended the Webster County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday to share their thoughts on the proposed agreements.
Amending existing 28E agreements
During a January 2009 board meeting, County Engineer Randy Will asked the board to consider amending farm to market extension reimbursement rates under a 28E agreement between the county and communities with populations less than 500 from 100 percent to 50 percent.
The board agreed to send letters to the communities notifying them of the proposed changes. They were dated Jan. 6, 2009, and stated the board would like to have a new 28E agreement in place by July 1, 2009.
No formal action was ever taken.
At the Dec. 29, 2009, board meeting, Will asked the board to make a formal decision.
"If we will receive no funds from the general basic budget, I request that you consider changing the 28E agreement's reimbursement rate from 100 to 50 percent," Will said. "This way we'll recoup some money for our maintenance expenses."
Will said snow removal was not a big expense for the county compared to fixing, repairing and resurfacing 9.27 miles of farm to market extensions.
"These are just round numbers, but when the county undergoes major road repairs, it can cost around $100,000 to $200,000 a mile anymore," Will said. "If the board cuts the general basic dollars for the secondary road department - which are property tax dollars from all county residents - small and large towns are essentially not paying for a service. If the county maintains these farm to market extensions in towns and receive no money for the service, I think one has to question the sense of fairness."
But money is tight all around.
Paula Martin of Lehigh told the board the proposal was a "sizable amount to cut."
"I feel 50 percent will be hard to compensate for," Martin said. "I'm not saying it couldn't be done, but it'll be pretty rough to take and keep up our part of the roads."
Supervisor Bob Singer said he thought the amendment was fair.
"If the funds are designated to build and maintain highways, maybe that's where the money needs to go," Singer said. "We'll ask the engineer to discuss this issue with communities for their input. It seems fair if we change the rules for everyone."
The existing 28E agreement which reimburses Lehigh, Callender, Clare, Duncombe, Farnhamville, Harcourt, Moorland and Vincent can only be terminated upon written notice to the other party no later than Jan. 10 of a given year.
Since the board sent letters regarding the termination of the contract in January 6, 2009, but took no formal action, it is unclear what will come of the agreement.
The board tabled action on the issue until Jan. 26, however, Will said the county will continue service as usual.
Dayton Mayor Richard Travis suggested the towns consider amending the agreements while the county works out its budget problems.
"After the budget situation gets leveled out, the reimbursement can go back to 100 percent," Travis said. "However, I caution all towns to read those agreements very closely."
Entering into 28E agreements
In early 2009, Will also requested the board discuss entering into a 28E agreement with communities whose populations exceed 500 people.
"If Webster County plans to transfer 50 percent of the road tax for the farm to market extensions to the towns having population less than 500, then the towns having population greater than 500 should be required to transfer 50 percent of the road tax for the farm to market extensions to Webster County," Will wrote to the board in February 2009.
Tuesday Travis told the board he was concerned about the lack of information and communication from the county.
"We don't know what the county is looking for," Travis said. "Is the 50 percent prorated, total or a loose calculation? The lack of information we've received from the board and the county makes it difficult for us to come up with an option."
Gowrie Mayor Dick Phillips said he understood where the board was coming from with the proposed agreement. However, Gowrie has been saving its road use tax money to repair one road which was bid at $88,000, he said.
"You're trying to get your budget under control," Phillips said. "I need to know your decision before March in case I have to come up with 50 percent of my road use tax fund. We're all in the same crunch. It's not easy for any of us."
Joe Hayes, a representative for Otho, inquired to the cause of the general basic shortfall.
"Was it lack of road tax use funds or another problem that just surfaced?" Hayes said. "You should find the problem that created the shortfall and address it.
"The road use tax fund isn't a low hanging fruit to balance the burden. Instead, this potential agreement would shift the burden, which may alleviate the county's problem, but it does nothing for the communities you represent."
Will said he believed the potential agreement was put on the agenda to start a dialogue with other communities
"The county should consider agreements with the towns populated by more than 500 people," Will said. "Both parties must agree, and we'd like to talk about it."
Will is scheduling time to discuss possible agreements with communities during city council meetings this month.
The board tabled action for both beginning and amending the 28E agreements with the communities until Jan. 26.
"That's not to say a decision will be made at that time," Singer said. "We want to get input from all the communities, large and small."
Contact Lindsey Mutchler at (515) 573-241 or lindsey@messengernews.net
