DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad says it would be a “mistake” for an eastern Iowa city to use additional fuel tax revenue to hire staff instead of spending directly on road and bridge work.
Branstad says Monday the proposal from Clinton city officials “violates” the spirit of the fuel tax increase, approved by lawmakers this session. The move raised Iowa’s fuel tax by 10 cents to finance infrastructure work.
The Clinton Herald reports the City Council is considering using nearly half of $470,000 in additional money to hire three employees, whose work would include street repairs.
State Department of Transportation spokeswoman Andrea Henry says the agency encourages local governments to use the money for infrastructure needs, but it’s a local decision.
Messages left for Clinton officials were not immediately returned Monday.
