By Rusty Nixon Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — It was a day of talking about the roads for the Marshall County Council.
Neal Haeck, county highway superintendent, came before the council to seek some additional money earmarked for fuel. Rising fuel costs have started to hit the county highway department as Haeck prepared to buy another tanker load of fuel. The last load of fuel bought by the county, was $2.96 a gallon for unleaded and $3.65 for diesel. Current prices will make future shipments cost considerably more.

County Auditor Penny Lukenbill brought an ordinance before the council to create a special, separate fund for deposit of all Major Moves money. Recent problems in other counties as well as budget concerns were reasons for Lukenbill making the request. The money is currently deposited directly into the general highway account.
Concerns for being sure that all the money was constantly accounted for and what projects it was used for specifically prompted the action. Lukenbill also stated that of the $2 million balance in the highway department account, nearly $1.2 million of that was Major Moves money. The presence of that money could lead to a misleading sense of there being more money available for highway work than there actually is.
Lukenbill pointed to other counties whose tax levies were lowered because of the artificial inflation of the money in the general highway account.
“It’s always good that we can answer for the public, exactly where that money goes,” said Lukenbill.
She requested that a similar ordinance be enacted to create an account for grant money that comes in to Older Adult Services as well.
Township Assessors pay will also become an issue. With the state announcement that Township Assessors duties are being shifted to the County Assessor’s office, full pay for the assessors will last only through this year. It will be up to the counties to then decide whether or not to pay the Township Assessors their full pay. All level 2 certified assessors are entitled to at least $1,000 a year.
The Council will consider their policy in an upcoming meeting.