County raises bridge fund tax by 1 cent

Ken de la Bastide, The Herald Bulletin, Anderson, Ind.
·1 min read

May 21—ANDERSON — With 220 bridges to maintain and replace, the Madison County Commissioners have approved a one-cent increase in the Cumulative Bridge fund.

Currently the property tax rate is 6.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation and will increase in 2025 to 7.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation following the Tuesday vote.

The tax is currently generating $3.1 million per year and the amount raised next year will be approximately $3.5 million.

County Engineer Jessica Bastin said the tax doesn't generate enough money to do all the work needed on the bridges.

She said the county has to replace several bridges over the next decade and there are no funding options available.

"This is not a new tax," Commissioner John Richwine said. "The increase set aside a portion of the funds generated by the maximum tax levy."

He said most property taxes go to fund the criminal justice system, and the bridge tax goes to a good use of maintaining the bridges in the county.

"It's important to take care of the bridges," Richwine said. "This is the right thing to do. Our structures are aging rapidly."

Bastin said the funds can't be used for administrative costs and have to be used on the infrastructure.

"We're looking to make more efficient use of the funds," she said. "Bundle projects when they are bid if the work is similar."

Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.