OTHER NEWS
Funding important for Sioux Falls infrastructure

The State Interim Highway Needs and Financing Committee met for the fifth and last time Nov. 13 to consider final highway funding recommendations to be made to the Legislative Executive Board. City of Sioux Falls Public Works Director Mark Cotter testified in front of the committee.

Cotter provided a map that included the major state-committed projects made in conjunction with a June 2005 Jurisdictional Exchange Agreement signed between the City of Sioux Falls and the state. Cotter's testimony reported the key priorities for Sioux Falls; for example: the South Dakota 100 Corridor project, the Solberg crossing of Interstate 229, and the proposed interchange at Interstate 29 and 85th Street.

The Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is advocating a strong position in favor of infrastructure development required for economic development and job retention and creation. Investments in infrastructure to support growth in the Sioux Falls area will be multiplied many times over in jobs and new business.

The interim committee suggested final recommendations of some taxes that could be raised to pay for the required infrastructure needs, totaling as much as $150 million statewide. Some of the tax increases considered by the committee included: raising excise taxes on vehicles from 3 percent to 4 percent; raising gas taxes to more than the current 22 cents; index gas taxes to inflation, etc. The actual recommendations for tax increases totaled about $42 million. If the executive committee accepts these recommendations, they will be developed into legislation. The other tax increases considered by the interim committee but voted down are likely to be sponsored by individual legislators.

There was much discussion about the federal government's role in funding these infrastructure projects. Many interim committee members were unwilling to commit to new taxes without a better understanding of the federal role. The interim committee is chaired by Sen. Cooper Garnos, District 21; Rep. Shantel Krebs, District 10, will likely chair the House Transportation Committee during the 2009 session.

South Dakota Secretary of Transportation Darrin Bergquist spoke at a public meeting at Carnegie Town Hall Nov. 17. At the meeting, Cotter reviewed the city's infrastructure needs with Bergquist. Bergquist acknowledged the great working relationship between the Department and the City. He said he understood the issues related to the city's infrastructure needs and that funds are very limited at both the state and federal levels. Bergquist acknowledged the state's agreement to provide funding but stated that the pres