Council endorses IDOT's request on road tax money
By Lynn Zerschling Journal staff writer | Posted: Tuesday, March 27, 2007
City Councilman Jason Geary wanted the city to tie its support to a state request for funding to four-laning U.S. Highway 20 east of Sioux City.
He didn't get his fellow lawmakers' support, however, and the council voted 4-1 to endorse the Iowa Department of Transportation's request for an additional $200 million to be added to the Road Use Tax Fund. That money would be committed to roadway infrastructure and would be generated by increasing transportation-related fees.
"I'm not supportive of this" without linking it to Highway 20 expansion, Geary stated.
Councilman Jim Rixner said, "My first priority would be to have the DOT pay to relocate the water and sewer lines for Interstate 29" as part of the rebuilding of the interstate through downtown Sioux City.
City officials have estimated it could cost $29.7 million to relocate those utility lines.
City Manager Paul Eckert suggested approving the proposal and then continue to lobby for both projects.
"This is a real opportunity for us to lend our voice to the debate," Geary said.
Councilman Brent Hoffman said, "I think it would largely be ignored."
Councilman Dave Ferris said, "With our Washington trip coming up, we'll be hitting Highway 20 real hard."
He was referring to the city's annual lobbying trip to the nation's capital.
Council members asked City Engineer Chris Payer for his opinion, and Payer said he would prefer the council approve the resolution as proposed and not tie any projects to it.
Payer noted the Iowa Senate Transportation Committee is seeking input on transportation needs at public hearings that will be held throughout the state.
Distribution of the additional $200 million would be 60 percent to the state and 20 percent each to cities and counties. The city of Sioux City would receive an estimated $7.1 million in Road Use Tax Fund revenues in fiscal year 2008 and would receive an additional $1.4 million under this program, while Woodbury County would receive $669,000.
The IDOT has proposed increasing the fuel tax as one way to fund this increase. The fuel tax has not gone up since 1989.
Mayor Craig Berenstein and Councilmen Ferris, Hoffman and Rixner voted to support the IDOT's proposal.
He didn't get his fellow lawmakers' support, however, and the council voted 4-1 to endorse the Iowa Department of Transportation's request for an additional $200 million to be added to the Road Use Tax Fund. That money would be committed to roadway infrastructure and would be generated by increasing transportation-related fees.
"I'm not supportive of this" without linking it to Highway 20 expansion, Geary stated.
Councilman Jim Rixner said, "My first priority would be to have the DOT pay to relocate the water and sewer lines for Interstate 29" as part of the rebuilding of the interstate through downtown Sioux City.
City officials have estimated it could cost $29.7 million to relocate those utility lines.
City Manager Paul Eckert suggested approving the proposal and then continue to lobby for both projects.
"This is a real opportunity for us to lend our voice to the debate," Geary said.
Councilman Brent Hoffman said, "I think it would largely be ignored."
Councilman Dave Ferris said, "With our Washington trip coming up, we'll be hitting Highway 20 real hard."
He was referring to the city's annual lobbying trip to the nation's capital.
Council members asked City Engineer Chris Payer for his opinion, and Payer said he would prefer the council approve the resolution as proposed and not tie any projects to it.
Payer noted the Iowa Senate Transportation Committee is seeking input on transportation needs at public hearings that will be held throughout the state.
Distribution of the additional $200 million would be 60 percent to the state and 20 percent each to cities and counties. The city of Sioux City would receive an estimated $7.1 million in Road Use Tax Fund revenues in fiscal year 2008 and would receive an additional $1.4 million under this program, while Woodbury County would receive $669,000.
The IDOT has proposed increasing the fuel tax as one way to fund this increase. The fuel tax has not gone up since 1989.
Mayor Craig Berenstein and Councilmen Ferris, Hoffman and Rixner voted to support the IDOT's proposal.
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