While two items were formally on the White County Board agenda for their monthly meeting, the public comments section truly took center stage, serving as the platform for the main topics of discussion.
Enfield resident Janice Prince brought a significant concern to the board, County Road 500 East. This road spans the Skillet Fork River and is a vital route for numerous residents and farmers. Prince highlighted that this “unimportant”, a word deemed by others, the road has 16 houses and the Ashland church. She attended the meeting armed with 199 signatures, a testament to the community’s desire for road improvement.
Highway Engineer Brian Ray added his sentiments about how the state needs to give them more money. The Motor Fuel Tax has doubled in the last few years, with the County only receiving $418,000. Unfortunately, the state has not provided enough money to White County. This increase in the Motor Fuel Tax has significantly impacted the County’s ability to maintain its roads. For instance, oil is now $3.50 a gallon, and prime oil is almost $5. A mile of road would cost around $70,000 nowadays.
Ray explained,
“White County is one of four counties in the last however many years, 17 years, where vehicle registrations went down significantly enough that this increase was a net change of zero for us. It’s not possible. $400,000 to maintain a 164 plus miles of roads. It’s, it’s pathetic in my opinion. I would love to see this road; I’d love to see it all chipped. But I know we can’t take care of it. I’m really cynical with state government right now.”
The board moved on to the two items on their agenda. Up first, Boomtown Solar.
Ameren Missouri is preparing to take ownership of the project in White County and Boomtown Solar; since they are based in Missouri they would need a letter of credit. If the company had been sold to Ameren of Illinois, the company would not have had to turn in a letter of credit. Still, since it’s outside the state, the board fully agreed that Ameren of Missouri send a letter of credit to the County for the project.
Lastly, for the board, a discussion about vacation time for non-union employees. Some departments are outside the union, so the board tabled the discussion until next month for an executive session to get more information. Members agreed to have a process and answer by October.
The next White County Board meeting will be on September 8th at 7 PM.
