Iowa county debt levels will be part of road funding debate

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The amount Iowa counties borrow to repair their roads and bridges may be a key factor in the debate over whether to increase the state fuel tax.

The Des Moines Register reports (http://dmreg.co/1CJbo8H ) Winnebago, Worth, Mitchell and Howard counties all carry large road construction debts.

Stat lawmakers are weighing a couple different proposals to increase the amount of money devoted to road maintenance.

The Iowa State Association of County Supervisors says counties don't want to borrow for road projects, but in some corners of the state officials didn't see another option.

Worth County carries the highest debt at $25.4 million. That translates into $3,366 per resident of the county.

By contrast, 17 Iowa counties carry no debt, and 27 other counties have less than $100 debt per resident.

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Information from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com