Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp discussed Wednesday the need for a “historic investment” in road infrastructure, proposing the transfer of $5.8 million from the county’s general fund to establish a fund dedicated to county road improvement projects.
Because the county’s interest income this year exceeded budget estimates, Wamp said he felt it was a good opportunity and appropriate time to invest in roadways.
“This county has maintained continuity of services over the last couple decades without tax increases largely due to growth in the residential property tax base,” Wamp said at the county commission agenda session. “So much of that growth is in Ooltewah and the unincorporated high growth areas of the county, and I think this is an appropriate catch-up in terms of investing in those roadways.”
(READ MORE: Hamilton County will form working group on road needs in fast-growing areas)
The funds would be used for 11 road safety improvement projects, including four on Ooltewah’s Hunter Road, which according to data from the Tennessee Department of Transportation has an accident rate nine times the state average, Wamp said.
“We’ve
