Election preview: Fairfield County roads, bridges and culverts

(by Christine Bryant, Eastside Editor - April 28, 2009)

Without approval of a levy on the May 5 ballot, Fairfield County officials fear motorists could suffer.

Residents will vote on a 1/2 mil levy that will generate about $1.5 million to go toward county roads, bridges and culverts, as well as bridges within city limits.

The continued levy will be renewed under its current terms for another five years. If approved, residents would not see an increase in taxes and would instead continue to pay an estimated $12.92 per year for a $100,000 home.

"Without the continuation of this current levy, it would be difficult to sustain our current level of maintenance to our roads and bridges," Fairfield County Commissioner Judy Shupe said.

All of the funds generated by the levy would be derived from property taxes, but Shupe said it's important to have these levy dollars to obtain additional funding.

"A lot of these dollars are used to get matching monies from federal or state government," Shupe said. "It's going to make a difference. Since 2003, we have averaged approximately $2 million a year in state and federal grants."

The county engineer's office is responsible for determining which roads and bridges are repaired first.

"The residents value good roads and safe bridges," Shupe said. "We have a lot of our bridges in Fairfield County that are deteriorating and are unsafe."

Recently, a bridge deemed unsafe on Tussing Road was replaced, Shupe said.

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