Eyeing a decline in gasoline sales, the Burleigh County Commission is seeking increased aid from the state for road work.

County commissioners voted Monday to approve a letter to Gov. John Hoeven that asks for an increase in the allocation to the highway distribution fund.

"We believe this would be an excellent way to give property tax relief by investing in our infrastructure," the letter reads. "Increasing the funding of our roads would also create jobs and help the economy of our state."

Commission chairman Jerry Woodcox said the increase is necessary because Burleigh County gets almost all of its road funding from the gas taxes imposed by other entities. And because those taxes are assessed as a given number of cents per gallon, rather than a percent of what that gallon sells for, today's situation of reduced sales of more expensive gasoline reduces the revenue collected.

The decrease comes at the same time that higher oil prices are increasing the cost of roadwork and filling state coffers with money from the western oil fields.

Woodcox said that if support doesn't increase, the county will have to raise its mill levy for roads.

"We'll start having to raise taxes on the general population, which we don't want to do," he said.

Poll workers remain

at same pay rate

The county commission voted Mo down a pay increase for the men and women who work the polls on election day.

In Burleigh County, those poll workers currently earn a base rate of $6.75 per hour. Many get $8.50 per hour, a 25 percent bonus paid to those who attend training sessions.

County commissioner Doug Schonert said he felt the rate is too low for people who provide "such a valuable service."

He proposed a base rate increase to $9.25 per hour, with a bonus rate of $11.55 per hour.

Auditor Kevin Glatt said such an increase would bust the county's budget for poll workers. With $40,000 to spend for the year, the county already ran through about $20,000 for the primary election at the existing pay rates, he said.

Commissioners voted 3-1 against the proposal, with Schoenert providing the only yes vote.

(Reach reporter Jonathan Rivoli at 250-8264 or jonathan.rivoli@;bismarcktribune.com.)