Franklin County Council discussed funding for the county's beleaguered bridges and low water crossings at its June 28 meeting.

Council reviewed an additional appropriation for $300,000 from the county's Old S.R. 101 account to repair low water crossings submitted by Franklin County Commissioners. Councilmember Brian Patterson inquired about the specifics on the planned low water crossings repairs.

County highway engineer Larry Smith replied plans were in place to repair two of the county's low water crossings with the money, but after opening bids for an upcoming paving project, Smith feels the county needs to ensure it has money to support upcoming grant-funded infrastructure projects first and withdrew the request from Old S.R. 101.

“There's not enough money in the Old S.R. 101 fund to do what really needs to be accomplished,” said Smith and explained the county needs to front money for the state's Community Crossings Matching Grant Program and the federal bridge project coming up on Hamburg Road. Commissioner Gerald Wendel noted the inflation hitting road and bridge materials have made it difficult to budget for repairs and projects.

Smith explained new federal regulations require bridges with a load limit of 16 tons or lower be marked with signage that must be installed before the end of August. Smith estimates the cost to purchase and install signage at $60,000. Councilmember Scott McDonough made a motion to alter the additional appropriation for $300,000 from the Old S.R. 1 fund to $60,000 to cover signage costs. Council vice-president Joe Sizemore seconded the motion and the board voted to approve.

Smith then presented council with a five-year plan to attempt one structure replacement or rehabilitation each year. The county currently receives around  $490,000 per year coming into its bridge fund with $780,000 expected for next year. Over the next five years, Smith proposed projects such as New Trenton bridge repairs at a cost of $530,000 next year, $750,000 for a bridge in Oldenburg and a bridge on Snail Creek slated for replacement at a cost of at least $600,000.

Smith reported prices have increased dramatically for bridge structures and road repairs, with prices tripling in the past 10 years. The county will need to find some source of additional funding for bridges.

“I'd say we're 20, 30 years behind on our bridge replacements,” stated Smith.

Local resident Jana Selke asked Smith if anyone has gone to state legislators for assistance with the county's bridge problems. Smith replied he has not, generally the suggestion is to raise funds through local taxes. Council agreed to look into a wheel tax to raise more funds from Franklin County residents. A wheel tax is a fee that could be added onto the vehicle registration for every vehicle in the county.

Also discussed:
-Franklin County Economic Development Commission chair John Palmer presented an update on the county's American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) and the five projects that have been fast-tracked: new radios for the Metamora Volunteer Fire Department, improvements to the handicap access entrance at the government center as well as a replacement roof, a new security focused e-mail system and a consulting contract with Reedy Financial consultant to assist with accurately tracking ARPA funds.

Palmer asked two council members to sit on a committee to review the remainder of the ARPA requests, along with a county commissioner, county auditor and county legal counsel.