A recent windfall for Columbus, courtesy of returned local-option income-tax money from the state, means that city streets will see an improvement. The state returned over $3.1 million, with the understanding that at least 75-percent of that money is to be spent on local roads.

Dave Hayward, the city’s engineer, says that there are many streets in Columbus that need attention. Originally, there wasn’t much money to improve them with…

In an effort to maximum street improvements, Hayward says that the city is applying for state grants…

If approved in total, the city would receive an additional $800,000, said Hayward. He explained why the city didn’t apply for the maximum amount of one-million-dollars…

Hayward added that the city will be trying new methods to improve roads and stretch road-repair dollars…

The city council voted Tuesday night, on first reading, to approve $2.6 million in spending on local streets. City officials say that’s about 77-percent of the money returned to Columbus.