Muncie City Council adopted a resolution last week asking U.S. Rep. Mike Pence to reconsider his one-year ban on earmark requests.
The resolution was passed in a 6-3 vote last week.
Congressman Pence's current stance on earmark requests prevents Ball State University from continuing its renovation of McKinley and Riverside avenues, Phil Sachtleben, vice president of governmental relations at Ball State, said.
The construction done on McKinley in the past has been funded by earmarks, he added.
Sachtleben spoke at the city council meeting on behalf of President Jo Ann Gora, who was willing to sign the resolution.
Of the nine council members, at-large Linda Gregory, Mark Conatser of the 2nd district and Brad Polk of the 4th district, voted against the adoption of the resolution.
Councilman Polk said that he did not support the renovation of streets on Ball State's campus, and suggested the money would better benefit other city streets with greater need.
"Couldn't there be a better way to spend this money?" the councilman asked at the meeting. "It's not in the best interest of the city of Muncie to beautify three blocks that are already in good enough shape."
Sachtleben said that Ball State is willing to pay the 20 to 25 percent match required for the earmark, which would traditionally be covered by the city. This gives the university the right to decide the location, he said.
"This is something the city is supposed to be doing. These streets are owned and maintained by the city. We're willing to go to D.C., ask for the money, pay the cost share and oversee the projects," Sachtleben said. "We're interested in improving streets on campus"
Sachtleben also reminded the Council that all of this is contingent on Congressman Pence's decision.
"There's no guarantee," he said. "If he doesn't request them, we can't get them."
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