Sales tax funds approved for street project
BY ALYSSA MEIER
Editor
The Washburn Sales Tax and Use Committee approved $238,805 to fund an emergency street repair set to take place this summer on Main Avenue.
The four present members of the committee voted unanimously Monday night to grant a request by the City of Washburn for over $200,000.
The request is to cover repair work on the section of Main Avenue between 10th and 11th Street that collapsed this spring due to a clogged culvert. The Washburn City Commission recently sent a notice of award to Weisz and Sons, who bid the work at $224,305. With an additional $14,000 in engineering fees, the total project was estimated at $238,805.
Committee member Chad Dahme asked if the city had any money to put toward the project, in hopes of leaving more money in the streets portion of the sales tax fund.
Commission President Larry Thomas said because of poor bookkeeping in the past, the city is behind on collecting special assessment taxes.
“About $500,000 behind over the last 8 years,” Thomas estimated.
