Discussions underway on rural road tax hike

Discussions are underway between county commissioners and Mark Storey, Public Works director, about putting the question to voters whether to raise the road tax collection rate for residents of unincorporated areas.

The county’s annual road levy is allowed to increase one percent per year, by state law.

“We are losing buying power over the years,” Storey said, citing increasing costs of three to four percent each year. “We’re falling behind on our ability to supply rock to maintain gravel roads.”

Previously, county commissioners set levy rates, before a 2001 initiative 7477 changed the law to...