By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – McLean County is looking to recover its costs when utilities are relocated or highways are ‘disturbed.’
The County Board approved the new fees Tuesday to defray the costs when pavement is cut to accommodate utility relocation or new access roads or lanes.
County Board Administrator Bill Wasson said every time pavement is cut that shortens the lifespan of that roadway.
“We recognize both the challenges of trying to not increase our tax levies, to try and continue to identify areas where we can impose user fees instead of increasing taxes,” Wasson said.
McLean County Highway Department officials say they incurs “significant costs in reviewing plans and issuing permits to ensure that utilities do not damage county highways.”
Prevailing Wage
A McLean County Board member says a state law that requires contractors pay a prevailing wage for public works projects is government overreach.
County Board member William Caisley said contractors have to compete for bids for the cost of materials, administration and profit margins, he said there should be competition for wages too.
“I don’t understand why we have to have prevailing wages,” Caisley said. “If someone is willing to work for less money, why shouldn’t the county be able to let the contract go to the lowest bidder or whoever is willing to do it for the last amount of money.”
The County Board approved the its annual prevailing wage ordinance Tuesday.
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
