STATEHOUSE (April 18, 2019) — Legislation authored by State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) helping counties hire highway engineers and move forward on road projects could soon become law.
According to Aylesworth, county highway engineers play an important role in the on-time completion of road projects. With increased construction projects in recent years, the demand for these highly skilled professionals has grown, but salaries have remained the same. Under Aylesworth’s legislation, the state would increase their contribution to county highway engineers’ annual salaries.
“A few years ago, the legislature passed the largest infrastructure investment plan in state history,” Aylesworth said. “This fully funded plan has led to increases in road construction, making the role of county highway engineers as important as ever. However, less than half of Indiana’s 92 counties currently employ highway engineers. With the demand so high for these qualified individuals, it is time the state increase their contribution to engineers’ annual salaries.”
Under this bill, the state’s contribution to each county highway engineer’s salary would increase from $20,000 to $40,000, as long as the county’s contribution to the salary is equal to or greater than the prior year.
“These engineers can also help rural communities with submitting applications and pavement management plans for road funding grants,” Aylesworth said. “This empowers small, local governments that may not otherwise apply, find ways to improve their local roads and bridges.”
Aylesworth’s proposal also outlines state funding for counties sharing an engineer in an effort to encourage neighboring counties to work together. Currently, if a highway engineer is employed by two counties, each county receives $10,000 to contribute to the engineer’s annual salary. That amount would be increased to $40,000.
House Enrolled Act 1025 is now eligible for action by the governor. To learn more, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) represents House District 11,
which includes portions of Lake and Porter counties.
Click here for a high-resolution photo.
