Is this a GTac expense tossed on the shoulders of Iron County Taxpayers? (Posted 04.28.13)


Head's up on this. Reports suggest proposed expansion will end on Hwy 77 at an intersection where Bob Wallacevitz, Iron county Mining Impact Committee member, owns a BP gas station. He also said that it will go through land owned by Jack Giovannoni who will be paid off for it. Iron County Highway Committee minutes are not up on line for the past several months.  So much for there being no costs to local units of government for infrastructure upgrades…

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From the Daily Globe, April 10, 2013

HURLEY — The Hurley City Council decided Tuesday to borrow approximately $130,000 to cover additional costs for its County D road extension project.

According to Jeff Seamandel, MSA Professional Services project manager, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is requiring the city to widen approximately 1,000 feet of south Wisconsin 77 at a future intersection with the proposed County D extension.

The city had already earmarked approximately $950,000 for the County D project.

Seamandel said additional costs due to the Wisconsin 77 work will include $72,985 for road design, $14,400 for land acquisition, $25,000 for real estate along the highway and $16,857 for a 15 percent contingency. The real estate figure is estimated, and the contingency is used as a cushion in case other fees were to arise.

All of the extra costs come to $129,242. The council decided it would borrow the extra costs from the tax increment financing.

It was also discussed about having MSA continue it’s work on an environmental assessment that needs to be completed and submitted to the WDOT prior to the County D utility construction project this year, otherwise the city loses its earmarked funds.

A motion was made and approved to have Seamandel draw up a contract for the council to look over during the next meeting to continue using services from MSA for the project.