Warrenton officials plan to continue discussing the city’s involvement with a proposed countywide transportation authority despite objections and reservations expressed by some regarding the plan. The board of aldermen and members of the city’s staff discussed the matter last week during a work session. Steve Etcher, executive director of the Boonslick Regional Planning Commission, also was present.Etcher recently met with representatives of governmental entities from throughout the county, including Warrenton, to present the idea of a countywide transportation authority. Such a group, Etcher said, could help foster cooperation between the county and its various municipalities in terms of prioritizing and funding improvement and expansion of the county’s transportation infrastructure. Additionally, the group could seek to establish a countywide sales tax to provide the local share of funding on projects which require a local match or cost share. Etcher said creating a countywide transportation authority would help “level the playing field” and reduce the risks which could occur if different municipalities started creating numerous transportation development districts (TDDs). Recently, Warrenton officials began moving forward to establish a TDD to generate funding for the local share of a proposed overpass west of the interchange between Interstate 70 and Highway 47. Efforts to establish the overpass have been under way for nearly two years, Warrenton Mayor Jerry Dyer told The Record. He noted that the city has invested approximately $116,000 into the project during that time. No decision was made whether the city will formally support the proposal, but officials did agree to continue discussions. Mixed Reactions Warrenton officials offered differing reactions to the proposal. Ward 1 Alderman Phil Tallo pointed out that if a countywide transportation authority was created and voters authorized levying a 1 percent sales tax, Warrenton would provide more than half of the total revenue for the entire county. “Other cities don’t have the infrastructure we have,” Tallo said, adding that he would not favor a plan under which Warrenton would provide the local share of revenue for other cities’ transportation projects. “I was elected to represent Warrenton.” Etcher acknowledged that Tallo’s comment was justified, but requested that city officials and staff embrace a broader view. “I’m asking you to look beyond Warrenton’s role as the primary commerce center in the county,” Etcher said, noting that cities’ participation with the proposed countywide transportation authority could be an investment in the entire county.“ A lot could be done,” Etcher remarked. Stracks Church Overpass There was discussion during the meeting over whether or not the proposed overpass west of Warrenton would be needed since the Stracks Church overpass already exists. “That’s based on individual perspectives,” Etcher stated. “No one has talked about the most essential aspect — is infrastructure available?” asked Chris Graville, Warrenton’s city attorney, referring to water and sewer service. “Wastewater would be an issue (at Stracks Church Road), but it’s doable,” Etcher remarked, adding that the overpass proposed west of Warrenton would be supported by development which already is in place. Etcher said Warrenton should continue proceeding with its efforts to establish a TDD, but he asked the city to leave itself open to the possibility of joining the countywide effort before selling bonds to fund the proposed overpass. Mayor Jerry Dyer expressed a personal willingness to follow such a course of action, pointing out that other municipalities and Warren County could help the city share the burden of providing the local portion of funding. “There’s no guarantee that would happen,” Tallo stated. “I’d rather control my own destiny.” “I want to control our destiny, too,” Dyer replied.“Would I advise this if it was detrimental to the community?” Etcher asked. “No.” Graville then pointed out that other cities have successfully employed TDDs to complete projects. “To me, it’s not the mechanism, it’s the size of the mechanism,” Etcher responded. “Why should we finance other people’s problems?” asked Alderman Fred Flake. “Have they ever helped us?” Etcher noted that funding would be provided by sales taxes paid by all the people who purchase goods in Warren County. Alderman John Cornell expressed reservations toward supporting Etcher’s proposal for a countywide effort, but he also stated that there was no reason the city couldn’t continue to discuss the plan. He noted that the plan would be a “tough sell” considering Etcher’s plan for every municipality to be equally represented by two members each since the majority of the funding would be generated by Warrenton. According to Etcher’s proposal, one representative of each municipality would be a local elected official and the other would be appointed by the city’s or village’s governing body. Warren County would have three representatives, according to the initial plan Etcher presented. Taxable Sales Breakdown Terri Thorn, Warrenton’s director of operations, offered a breakdown of taxable sales throughout the county for 2011, according to information from the Missouri Department of Revenue. According to the breakdown, if a 1 percent transportation sales tax were levied throughout the county, 62 percent of the funds would be generated by businesses in Warrenton.