D-O-T asks for budget increase

The Iowa Transportation Commission reviewed the proposed 2001 fiscal yearoperating budget Tuesday. D-O-T finance director Nancy Richardson says itcalls for a three-point-nine percent increase — to nearly 253-milliondollars.The D-O-T is getting more state and federal funds for road construction andmaintenance projects. Richardson says the increase in the budget lets them hire the planners and others needed tocomplete the projects.She says the proposed increase is just above average.The transportation commission will take final action on the budget nextmonth.The operating budget for the last fiscal year was 243-point-three milliondollars.