County Commissioners Attempting To Avoid Referendum On $55 Million Project
Posted by Jeff Pruitt - 3/27/08 @ 3:24 pm - Filed Under 2008 Local Elections, Featured, Local Politics
I read, with much dismay, the articles in today’s Journal Gazette and News-Sentinel (via DFWB) about the county commissioners’ plan to spend $55 Million for a 1.5 mile road on the outskirts of Fort Wayne. It is unfathomable in this fiscal climate that they would be pushing for such a project - make no mistake this is much worse than Harrison Square. For better or worse Harrison Square will actually create more than a few bridges and some asphalt.
I am happy to see that some of the county council is pushing back a little and asking commissioner Peters why he wants to fast track this plan. Let me help the council answer that question - something the JG and NS stories missed - they want the bonds issued by the “end of June” because HB1001, and thus the referendum requirement, applies to any controlled projects after June 30, 2008.
Yes, you read that right - they stated a couple of different excuses (shown below) but the real reason is they want to force this on to the taxpayers without giving them an opportunity to reject it via referendum. A complete subversion of the public will.
From the JG story:
Commissioner Nelson Peters told the council, the county’s fiscal body, that he plans to ask the council to introduce a $25 million bond issue in April. He hopes to have the bond approved by the end of June so that the project can be advertised for bids and work could begin next year.
County Councilman Darren Vogt, R-3rd, asked why the commissioners are rushing to introduce the bond issue. He suggested the county draw up contingency plans to find ways to pay for the added expense or look to shrink the scope to reduce the cost.
County officials were concerned that $8.8 million in federal transportation funding set aside for the Maplecrest project has to be used this year or the county will lose the money. The commissioners hoped to have council approve the bond issue by the summer to avoid losing those federal dollars.
Ah the old “we HAVE to spend the money or we’ll lose 16% of the budget” - of course no mention of the other 84%. But it turns out that’s not really true:
But Commissioner Linda Bloom said the commissioners recently learned there is no deadline to use the money.
Ok so what’s the next excuse?
Bloom said she doesn’t want the project to be delayed much longer because of rising construction costs. Last week, county officials said the price tag for the 1.5-mile project that includes four bridges went up 15 percent to more than $54 million. The budget is now about $7 million short.
“The cost is exorbitant, and it grows as we sit here,” she told the council.
Now it’s “the longer we wait the more it costs” - nevermind the fact that maybe taxpayers don’t want the project AT ALL and especially not in this economic environment. But notice that they never mentioned the REAL reason for the end of June deadline - the referendum requirement. They don’t want the citizenry to have a say in how their own tax dollars are spent.
I’m not sure if the referendum was ever discussed in the county council meeting but I’ll find that out tonight. I still can’t believe the JG and the NS both missed the most important aspect of this story. We rely on traditional media to alert the public when government officials might be up to something they should know about. But have no fear, bloggers will continue to pick up the slack when necessary…
(Photo from the Allen County Commissioners website)
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22 Responses to “County Commissioners Attempting To Avoid Referendum On $55 Million Project”
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Adopting ABC wage rates would bring the cost way down.
Besides the cost this TRUCK HIGHWAY will drive down the values of homes along Maplecrest all the way from Lake Ave to 469.
This is a payoff project for people like Kenny Nu who own property in the area and want to develop it as heavy dirty industrial area.
Watch the dancing on this project but chances are when all is said and done you will be paying for it.
I sadly agree that Harrison Square affords the average taxpayer “something” and this will provide “nothing!”
There would be pushback from this Councilperson, make no mistake about it. The referendum procedure was put there to give the taxpayer’s a voice and they have the absolute right to be heard.
Jim Howard
Allen County Council At Large
May 6th Republican Primary
I would be very disappointed in Nelson Peters, if that’s really his intention. He believed in our right to remonstrate against the FWCS bond issue, signing the petition to initiate the remonstrance even though he was on the Yellow Ribbon Task Force. Say it isn’t so Nelson.
Jim,
Glad to hear you’re a strong proponent for the referendum process. Voters would be wise to support candidates with that position.
Evert,
I’ve posted some video that I think is irrefutable evidence of their intentions…
Can anyone tell me what the actual benefit of this project would be? I understand that the true point of this post is that local government is trying to circumvent referendums, but I just for the life of me do not understand how extending this road would benefit anyone.
Jeff & Co.,
If you don’t think it has any value then you really need to get away from your monitors and get out every once in a while.
This thing has been in the works for years! It’s not like the commissioners all of the sudden said “Hey let’s see if we can find ways to spend a bunch of money before the referendum law goes into effect!” Other parties have already committed money to this road and the county has been dragging its feet. Now you want your opportunity to shoot it down?
The problem is that voters like yourself won’t actually take the time to research something like this before they vote in a referendum. They’ll look at the price tag and ask themselves whether or not it directly benefits them. Why spend money on something that I may not use as much as someone else. I have other priorities! Me me me!
Tim,
“If you don’t think it has any value then you really need to get away from your monitors and get out every once in a while.”
Ah yes how could we be so myopic as to not see the incredible value spending $55 Million on 1.5 miles of road will bring to our community? I should point out that you didn’t bother to identify any of this “value” that’s so obvious in your comment.
“This thing has been in the works for years!”
So what - it doesn’t mean it’s a good project. And the price has nearly doubled from the last estimate while the financial outlook for local government has gotten incredibly more dire.
“Now you want your opportunity to shoot it down?”
Damn right! And I’ll bet I’m not the only one which is exactly why they don’t want to give us the opportunity.
“The problem is that voters like yourself won’t actually take the time to research something like this before they vote in a referendum.”
Right. Because I’ve never been known to actually research anything. The REAL problem is that elitists think they are vastly more knowledgeable than the general public and thus they should be the sole voice for how OUR tax dollars are spent.
“Why spend money on something that I may not use as much as someone else. I have other priorities! Me me me!”
Oh the irony. The most expensive road project in the history of the county that will only serve a tiny portion of the population is somehow wise public policy that benefits everyone - I don’t think so…
Hi Jeff,
Can we all say “flip flop”, the three commissioners are all season politician’s, who don’t give a damn about anyone other then them self’s and there friends.
And there are some people in FT.CRIME that wanted Nelson Peters too run this town, you got to be kidding me. Remember, he’s up for reelection this year. I say it’s time to get rid of them all.
Aha, I can see the all knowing Engineers are coming in on this post. The taxpayer’s voice counts… That is the Country we live in. It is their money and if you don’t like it move to China where you can all your infrastructure needs met instantly (of course, get your town burned down, get your home raided, etc.–kind of a package deal).
Jim Howard
Allen County Council at Large
May 6th Republican Primary
I’m leaning in favor of the extension project, but perhaps we need to determine what the going rate is per a mile of roadway. Maybe $55 million is too much. I haven’t shopped around for roads recently.
Yes, let’s put it to a referendum. I think it will pass anyway because it will reduce truck traffic in urban Fort Wayne. But if the majority of voters decide that this is not worth the price tag, then I won’t squawk if it doesn’t get built.
Even I later decide to oppose the Maplecrest extension, I still maintain that Harrison Square is the bigger boondoggle. Sure Harrison Square is more than asphalt. But the economic utility of a new ballpark is far less than that of a new roadway. For the economy to grow, stuff needs to get from point A to point B. The quicker that supplies, equipment, merchandise, and personnel make it to where they are going, the better.
FULL DISCLOSURE: A relative of mine is moving to the Georgetown area. I estimate that this project will benefit me by reducing the travel time to her house.
Jeff,
I wasn’t saying that the project is worth 55 million but I was challenging your statement that it is nothing more than bridges and asphalt.
The project will address drainage concerns for the area, would improve safety by eliminating a dangerous crossing and giving emergency services better access to the area, and it would benefit the area economically. If I am not mistaken there are several businesses in that area and I think even Do-It-Best’s world corporate headquarters. These places are often shut off to the world by trains.
The “asphalt and bridges” would create a north-south route in that part of the city. Right now if you drive south on Maplecrest once you get to the end at Lake Ave. you have to drive around to Coliseum or Landin and come back across 930 to pick up where you left off. It seems like a lot of wasted miles for a lot of people.
You also have to consider that 930 is a pretty quick shot into Downtown Fort Wayne. Seems like connecting Maplecrest to that highway would be pretty good for the people in the east/northeast area.
Again, does this mean it would be worth 55 million? I guess we’ll have to wait to see what the impact study says. I agree that the price is huge but I also know that delaying it even longer is only going to drive up the cost even farther. The county was already discussing ways to come up with their portion of the money and maybe they’d like to finally stop dragging their feet and get something done.
You admit that you research things before you form your opinions, yet you made this general statement about how the project has absolutely no value. In your response you said, “The most expensive road project in the history of the county that will only serve a tiny portion of the population…” How tiny are we talking? Have you looked at any of the projected traffic counts or talked with the Northeast Indiana transportation people? Mayor Henry? The New Haven Mayor? Mark Souder or Phyllis Pond? The Fire and Police that service that area?
Lastly, I want to address Mr. Howard’s comments. You are right, this is the United States of America and I know that as a taxpayer my voice counts. That’s why I exercise that voice on Election Day. Telling me to move to China was very rude and immature. Is this how you would respond to your constituents if elected?
Will that 1.5 mile stretch of road really reduce truck traffic in FW? I have never noticed that being an issue in the northeast part of town. If, in fact, that stretch of road did start being used by a lot of trucks wouldn’t you be creating the very problem that you are trying to eliminate?
To Mr. Watts comments: Moving to China was not met to be personalized by anyone. It was just an observation about Chinese infrastructure which is relevant to this discussion..contrary to your opinion. The referendum process is a good thing Mr. Watts–I take it you think it is a bad thing. There we disagree. I would respond to my constituents that they have a RIGHT to determine and review how their taxpayer dollars are spent and my constituents would, in the majority, agree.
Justin,
You can read about the project here
Also you asked
“Will that 1.5 mile stretch of road really reduce truck traffic in FW?”
NO. Several members of Fort Wayne city council have already said they will not support the project unless the route is a truck-free zone. Deliveries will be acceptable but cutting through to get to 469 will not be allowed.
Tim,
You and I are obviously not going to agree on this but I welcome your comments into the discussion.
Let me make some general philosophical points. Just because building something might help a business or future business does not imply local government should do so. There will naturally be parts of the city that are more economically fertile due to population, infrastructure, natural landscape, etc.
So the question for taxpayers here is quite simple. Does spending $55 Million on this particular project make sense? In my eyes the answer is clearly no considering cost/mile of the project and the economic climate we’re currently in.
I will anxiously await the economic impact study but if it’s anything like the bogus HS study then they shouldn’t even waste the money. Typically these studies highlight the construction jobs that will be created during the building phase but that’s NOT economic development. If it were, then we would simply have the government pay us all to build things - mortgage ourself into prosperity as one councilmember once put it. But I’ll keep an open mind and await the study.
However, whether or not you and I agree on the merits of this project is really immaterial to my post. What is important is that the commissioners are trying to fast-track the project to avoid the referendum. I would hope that you would agree with me that such action is unacceptable. And with the video I posted today it really is irrefutable that they are going down that path.
The state legislature put the referendum in there for a reason and for the county to try and circumvent it by pushing full-steam ahead is really an insult to the taxpayers and our legislators.
I’m not going to commit to a position on this until I know more facts.
The libertarian solution to this problem would be for all the businesses that think that they will benefit from the project to chip in money and build the road themselves. They would then jointly own the road and would be able to restrict access to it or charge a toll.
The businesses would probably be able to build the road at a lower cost since they could use non-union labor, out of state suppliers, etc. But if it is not worth $55 million to them to build it, it is not worth $55 million to the county either.
I do agree with your last comment, Jeff. Let’s have that referendum.
For purely selfish reasons, I’d like to see the project move forward. I live in the Georgetown area and the extension would provide a more direct route to New Haven and 930. I do believe it would facilitate SE Fort Wayne development via the connection to Adams Center, but I haven’t seen the economic studies.
That said, the public must be heard on the issue. I doubt there’s enough time for citizen feedback before the referendum requirement would apply.
On a related note, I appreciate enforcing a public referendum on $50 million+ projects like this. However, the back door is left open if elected officials can give away a similar amount in tax abatements ala Harrison Square. Will they persuade private industry to contribute to the cost in return for tax abatements?
Dave,
Under the new law Harrison Square would’ve been subject to a referendum. Essentially any bonded project over $12 million requires it (assuming 100 signatures are gathered initiate it)
Jeff,
I understand that. My point is that City Council still has the ability to approve tax abatements in excess of the $12 million without a referendum. Using creative financing (have businesses fund the project in return for future tax abatements) they could circumvent the spirit and intent of the referendum.
[...] Peters (and others) are trying to circumvent the referendum requirement recently signed into law by fast-tracking the $55 Million Maplecrest extension project before the law goes into [...]