After a speeding car struck a horseback rider in Silver Creek earlier this month, many residents are wondering what can be done to improve the safety of the roads in the area.
Silver Creek’s roads are not controlled by the county like most roads; instead they are governed by a board of elected officials who determine the management of Service Area #3.
The Summit County Commission established the service area more than 10 years ago so residents could own, maintain and fund their own road system. The service district is in charge of allocating funds for road and water maintenance. The district has its own tax structure and the rate can be raised or lowered depending on the maintenance that is required, according to Summit County Engineer Derrick Radke.
The service district’s funds come from property taxes, user fees for the water system and since 2001, a portion of Summit County’s Gas Tax. In 2010, the district collected about $329,000. When improvements are needed, the service district hires private contractors.
“The county is free of maintenance with the service district. They don’t have to go to the county if they want to increase speed or do anything with their roads,” said Radke. “We do discuss various things with them and occasionally help them out, recently we gave them some stop signs.”
Gary Horton, a member of the service district’s seven-person elected board, said every month they evaluate how they can improve the safety of the roads.
“In coordination with the county, we are the ones that take the lead on the roads,” he said. “For the most part, I think residents are satisfied with the services that we are able to provide. The most common complaint is with the road maintenance but I think people understand we have limited funds and we are trying to spend them in the best way possible.”
Shortly after the near fatal car accident, Silver Creek residents held an impromptu meeting on Sept. 8, where many said their concerns about speeding vehicles have been ignored for years.
“Many are frustrated because people don’t know who to go to affect change,” said Silver Creek resident Dawn Bowes.
A committee was formed at the meeting to explore the option of the county taking control of the roads.
District officials Gordon Cummins, Cary Horton, Marvin Maxwell and Chris Bullock are up for reelection in November. According to Summit County Clerk Kent Jones, no one has challenged the incumbents so far but resident can still become a write-in candidate until Sept. 26.
An official Service Area #3 meeting will be held on Thursday Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Jeremy Ranch Elementary School.