GOSHEN -- Elkhart County Council stopped short Saturday of adopting a resolution that would endorse the plan to lease the 157-mile Indiana Toll Road to a private company for at least $2 billion.
Two council members said state government does not have the integrity to keep the promises it makes.
Council President John Letherman urged the council to consider adopting a resolution endorsing the plan if Elkhart County benefits from the lease. The benefits would include additional revenue for roads and bridges, which may contribute to economic development.
"If you do it right and we get our share, we'll support you," Letherman said about the county's message to Gov. Mitch Daniels.
To "do it right" would include:
* pushing the start of the U.S. 31 improvement project to 2008,
* compensating for county emergency services provided on the toll road,
* receiving 34 percent of the lease money for the road projects in the toll road corridor, including Elkhart County,
* increasing gas tax to raise additional money to pay for new road maintenance.
The toll road bill requires that 34 percent of the money raised from the lease agreement would be available to fund road projects in the seven toll road corridor counties. The toll road counties are Steuben, LaGrange, Elkhart, St. Joseph, Lake, LaPorte and Porter.
"The way (the lease legislation) is set up right now, it is protective of us," Letherman said. He added that any legislation can change as it's being discussed in the Legislature.
Mike Yoder, Elkhart County Commissioner, told the council that Rep. Randy Borror, R-Fort Wayne and Sen. Robert Meeks, R-LaGrange -- both from northern Indiana -- sponsored the toll road bills in the House and Senate.
"It is our sense that he is looking for our interests," Yoder said about Meeks.
Jim Hartman was concerned with the integrity of the state government.
"Do they have the integrity to do what they said they'll do?" he asked. The state government track record has been dismal, he added.
C.J. Yoder echoed Hartman's sentiments.
"It really concerns me that we give government $2 billion," said the council member. After a while the money will be spent. "They can mismanage these funds as they mismanaged the toll road," he said.
"Our position is tenuous," Letherman responded. The position is contingent on the details of the lease and how much money is allocated to the toll road corridor counties. It is not a blank endorsement of the lease, he said.
Neil Herman said because the toll road lease has to do with the governor's legacy, he has hopes it will work out in the best interest of the county. And in the end, he would like to see the wheel tax disappear.