A survey of municipal and county officials shows that most officeholders favor the concept of a countywide transportation authority to help advance area infrastructure improvements. However, it appears the general consensus is that more discussion must occur before any key decisions are made to move the plan forward. Additionally, there are varying opinions on whether or not such a plan would actually work in Warren County. The plan of a countywide transportation authority was proposed recently by Steve Etcher, executive director of the Boonslick Regional Planning Commission (BRPC). The BRPC serves Warren, Lincoln and Montgomery counties and assists governing boards within the member counties and cities develop and obtain funding for a variety of infrastructure improvements, including transportation needs. Etcher presented the plan recently to Warren County officials and representatives of Warrenton, Wright City, Truesdale and the Village of Innsbrook. Under Etcher’s proposal, a governing board comprised of elected officials would be created to decide how funds could be raised to provide the local share of funding for transportation projects, and how those funds would be distributed. For example, the countywide transportation authority — if created — could decide to seek voter approval of a sales tax measure to raise funds that could help entities meet the local funding match often required for state and federal road and bridge projects. Warrenton officials already have expressed reluctance to support the plan — in part because of a funding mechanism the city already is pursuing — but agreed to discuss the matter further. Other officials expressed more enthusiasm and support for the proposal. “I was really impressed with the program,” remarked Murry Bruer, Truesdale mayor. “It’s the right direction, and it’s the way we need to go. With the whole county being involved, it would be positive for growth.” The Truesdale Board of Aldermen voted recently to support the plan. “I would like to see how the (organizational) structure will be set up,” remarked Hubie Kluesner, Warren County Southern District commissioner. “My concern will be if the cities get all the aid and the county’s needs aren’t met.” Presiding Commissioner Arden Engelage also expressed reluctance toward supporting the plan.“This matter will need a lot more discussion,” he remarked. “We need to continue talking about it, but I’m not sure the community is ready for this yet. People are fed up with taxes.” Northern District Commissioner Dan Hampson offered a more optimistic viewpoint. “I like that everyone is pulling together,” he stated. “It’s great that we’re talking about everyone working together rather than individually.” Officials with Wright City also expressed skepticism toward the plan.“It all sounds great, but how are you going to get people to vote for it?” asked Mayor David Heiliger. “At this time and with the economic troubles being faced, it may be difficult to get something like that to pass. But all we can do is ask around and get their feelings on it.” “The main thing is you get the community involved and communicate to them how important this would be — even though it would be a tax increase — so they understand what it’s being used for,” reamarked Alderman Jim Toothman. Alderman Mike Smith was hesitant to take steps which potentially could be premature. “Before you start talking about a tax, you need to get the governing body in place first,” Smith asserted. “Once you do that, once you have a vision of this authority, then more people might be willing to at least consider a tax mechanism.” “I don’t think anybody on the board has made a decision on what is going to happen or how it’s going to happen,” stated Alderman Danny Rowden. “One of the key things that we’re trying to do is make sure those things get communicated clearly to the citizens so they can be educated what impact this will have, not only for today but five, 10, 15 or 20 years down the road. “I’ve seen it work in other areas, so from that standpoint, I think it has positive roots,” Rowden added. “But there’s still a lot to be determined.” Rowden also pointed out the positive impact such a plan could have if support could be generated for it. “So much more could be done with a regional approach than we, as a municipality — or any municipality — could do individually,” Rowded stated. Alderman Jim Schuchmann agreed.“We’re all better off when we try to work on a regionalized approach rather than an individualized approach,” Schuchmann said. “We’re all in this together. “It would be exciting to see a regional approach be taken to this issue,” he added.