Bartholomew Count could receive state road funds again

Bartholomew County could see more than $800,000 in state funding for its road projects, under a plan unveiled to county officials.

The Bartholomew County Commissioners announced Monday that state officials have told them that more than $843,000 in funding could flow to the county this year. Commissioners President Tony London said that the money is not completely guaranteed and still must be signed by the governor.

Previously, the county was frozen out of funding under the Community Crossings Grant program with commissioners saying that the rejection was presumably because county officials have refused to institute a wheel tax, charged on vehicle registrations. The county had applied for $1 million in matching funds from the grant program for this year but was approved for zero.

Just last week, the county commissioners announced a plan to spend half a million dollars from the county’s economic development income tax funds to go toward county road improvement projects, to offset the lack of state funding. The County Council has also approved $1.5 million to replace the loss of the expected state funds, commissioners said.

London said that the intention is to make a second round of road improvements this year with the new funds, should they be issued. The commissioners have already reached out to some of the council members on the plan and expect it to be approved.

London said that it is doubtful that the county will be readmitted to the state community crossings grant pool going forward.

Commissioners approved a notice to bidders for the road overlay program Monday.