Bartholomew Commissioners increase road funding through income tax

The Bartholomew County Commissioners are revising their priorities for capital projects using income tax revenues.

At their meeting yesterday, the commissioners revised their plan that outlines how they plan to spend economic development income tax funds on capital projects for the next year. The annual plan is a requirement of using the funds, but it can be changed as needed throughout the year.

County Commissioner Larry Kleinhenz said that the newest plan includes a revision that will allow for more money to be spent on road improvement projects. Bids for those projects came back higher than anticipated, so the revision will add another $150,000 to the road funding under the plan, bringing that total up to $650,000.

Among the largest items outlined in the plan are $800,000 for improvements to county buildings, and $800,000 for the project improving the infrastructure around the Interstate 65 and U.S. 31 interchange in Taylorsville, $500,000 toward the bonds for the new highway garage building and $400,000 for pickleball courts.

The plan also includes almost $5.9 million in funds carried over from previous years that has already been allocated for ongoing capital projects.

The plan will now go to the county council for their consideration.