The Town of Taylor previously programmed a project that would continue from 700 West Paper Mill Road, putting in sidewalks and widening the road with Transportation Improvement Project Prioritization funding. After discussion of the town’s options, a motion to continue with the original plan was approved.
Town Manager Gus Lundberg explained last week that every eight years the town receives funding through the Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) for a road project.
“Several months ago we found out that the money we have allocated for this project is not near enough to continue on as far as we want to widen the road,” said Lundberg. He spoke to NACOG officials to request approval of Taylor creating a master design for all of Paper Mill Road with these funds, and when Taylor receives its next allotment, the design would be completed and the money would be spent for construction.
“When we get these programs that doesn’t always work,” said Lundberg. “I found out we have other options; however this project has been programmed for 8½ years.” He was told that if they change the project, it would fall under today’s allotment amount, which is essentially $200,000 less.
“I’m here to tell you we do have options, but I don’t feel like we should change options,” he said. “There’s $800,000 allocated and a portion of that we have available in the current fiscal year.”
Lundberg asked council members if they wanted to continue with sidewalk from 700 West Paper Mill for a short distance, explaining that this is the area that they just repaired, but he didn’t think that repair fixed the problem.
“Even though it’s not a long area, it’s an area of concern that we can address the road right there,” said Lundberg, who recommended that they keep the project as it was submitted.
A motion by Mayor Fay Hatch to move forward with the transportation improvement project passed.
In other business, the council approved Resolution R2015-201 supporting the Town of Eagar’s request for school tax changes to equalize the maximum tax credit allowed to private and public schools. Currently, a married couple filing a tax return jointly can donate a maximum of $2,000 to private or charter schools, but only $400 to public schools or a qualified charitable organization. In addition, public school donations must be made by the end of the calendar year for a credit while private schools can collect funds up to April 15 of the following year.
Lundberg explained that Eagar brought this to the Navajo/Apache Council of Managers and Mayors Association and asked for support from each community.
A motion to support the proposed legislation for school tax changes was unanimously approved.
