County Highway Superintendent discusses Community Crossing Matching Grant and 2025 Road Plan

Marshall County Highway Superintendent Jason Peters told the Commissioners during their meeting Monday that the state started accepting applications for this year’s Community Crossing Match Grant on January 2nd and the applications are due by January 31^st.  He said INDOT is continuing with the $1.5 million maximum award cap. To be eligible, the county must have an approved asset management plan and projects closed out for 2023 and all calls prior. Peters said Marshall County is eligible. 

The Highway Superintendent has several possible projects on the list but they are subject to change before applying.  He also said the projects are well over $2 million.  The Community Crossing Grant request would be $1.5 million, and the county’s match would be $500,000.

Projects being considered include 3^rd Road from King Road to West Shore at Lake of the Woods, 9^th Road from Lincoln Highway to Union Road, 14^th Road from Juniper Road to Elm Road, 16C Road from Redwood to Pear Road, Muckshaw Road from State Road 10 to 18B Road and Nutmeg Medows, Quail Ridge, Shady Lane, and Sutter Addition.  Peters indicated that the county would have some funds to do additional paving by the hired company as they have for the past couple of years.  He also said the highway department could do some of the road work.

During their discussion, it was noted by the County Auditor that the county’s $500,000 match was reduced in this year’s budget because the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) said the county’s cash balances wouldn’t support the half million.  The County Council cut the matching funds in this year’s budget to $333,000.  Auditor Angie Birchmeier said the DLGF was going to cut the fund but the county took action and made the necessary cut. 

Commissioner Jesse Bohannon asked Highway Superintendent Peters if the 2025 Road Plan was fully funded this year. Peters said he hasn’t put the final details together for this year’s plan but he doesn’t have the full funding needed. 

Bohannon said, “For the first time in many years we’ve got enough cash as far as I know.  I’d like to take a proposal to the Council to fully fund his Road Program this year.”

The Auditor commented, “If you will recall at the last meeting that the DLGF, we had a requirement at the last Council when we did the budget to reduce the Highway Funding out of their Highway Budget which is why he is not fully funded out of there because the cash balances would not support what was being done.  The council would have to come up with other options that would fall under state statute. 

While Bohannon wanted to make a motion, Commissioner Stan Klotz suggested waiting and reviewing this year’s Road Program to determine the need before requesting funding from the council.  Bohannon agreed to wait for the plan.