This is our annual detailed accounting to Darke County taxpayers of highway revenue received and how it was spent. There were greater challenges to our revenue as the receipt shortfall increased from $59,685 in 2008 to $337,451 in 2009. To compensate, we adjusted spending and ended the year with a $215,574.11 excess of receipts over spending. We spent 55.9 cents of each dollar on improvements, maintenance and equipment; with 44.1 cents for labor and overhead.
We contracted new hot mix asphalt on 29.81 miles, and sealed cracks on 73.48 miles with a combination of contract and force account labor and equipment. County employees designed and constructed 4 new bridges, and replaced 49 roadway culverts, 3 large culverts and 12 subsurface crossings. Earlier in the year we completed the mandated bridge load rating analysis, including truss rating and gusset plate analysis, of 513 bridges on county and township roads. This leaves 16 bridges that are unable to be mathematically rated due to their specific types of construction. This was completed with no outside expenditures.
Our current staff is 26 highway and 3.6 office personnel. (In 1978 there were 39 highway workers and 6 office personnel.)
Shrinking revenues and rising material costs demand pavement preservation procedures and bridge rehabilitation projects. We are fortunate that 391 bridges have been replaced during the past thirty-three years, eliminating the necessity and costs of replacing ten to twelve bridges each year. Readers are encouraged to contact us (937-547-7375) (email: dce@earthlink.net) with any questions or comments.
THE PEOPLE OF DARKE COUNTY PAY NO LOCAL OR PERMISSIVE TAXES AND FEES FOR THE BENEFIT OF COUNTY ROADS AND BRIDGES.
NO REAL ESTATE TAXES, SALES TAXES, OR GENERAL FUND MONEYS PAY FOR ANY MAINTENANCE OR CONSTRUCTION ON DARKE COUNTY ROADS OR BRIDGES
This department has no debt and owns 100% of all equipment.
** Note: the above is just part of the report, not published here due to the length of the full report. The full report can be accessed here (Word required). Or you can get a written copy any time from the Engineer's Office.
If the money does not come from Real Estate taxes, sales taxes, or General Fund monies and the people of Darke County pay no local or permissive taxes, THEN WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM TO REPAIR ROAD AND BRIDGES?
ReplyDeleteTry looking at the first line below the pic.
ReplyDeleteNow that is what I deem "transparency" and kudos to Jim Surber. Job well done!
ReplyDeleteWhy don't the county commissioners put out an annual report? My hat is off to the engineers office for the fiscal responsiblity. I like to see in black and white how my tax dollars are spent. What does everyone else think? County commissioners, please put out your figures like this so we can see where our tax dollars are spent.
ReplyDeleteJim Surber and his group continue to do a great job for taxpayers of Darke county.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Surber is very good at his job---and that's saying alot considering that I'm a political advisary.
ReplyDelete