The Wabash County Commissioners have approved the renewal of a special road fund tax levy that provides a key source of funding for county highway maintenance projects.
During Monday afternoon's meeting, Highway Engineer Dustin Bunting explained the Special Road Fund has been in place since 1981 and must be renewed every five years. He told commissioners the fund is vital to the Highway Department's operations because it pays for materials used to maintain county roads.
Bunting said the money is used to purchase salt and sand for winter operations, pavement striping, oil and chip materials, asphalt resurfacing, and soil cementing projects.
He emphasized the fund is restricted by law and can only be used for road construction and maintenance materials and the cost of applying those materials. It cannot be used for equipment purchases, employee salaries, or other department expenses.
Bunting also noted the tax levy applies only to the Wabash County Highway Department and does not provide funding for township road districts.
Following the discussion, commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 622, renewing the Special Road Fund tax levy for another five years.