The presentation was offered by Vern Keeslar of InterPlan, a
transportation planning firm, and outlined four different ways a transportation
safety fee could be implemented, with the goal of equal and fair participation
in the system by everyone using Provo’s roads.
“Good roads cost
less,” Keeslar said. “Maintaining roads to a good standard is going to cost
less than letting roads wear out and rebuilding infrastructure every 10 to 15
years.”
Keeslar said one key
advantage to a transportation utility fee is how it allows equal participation
of all people who are having an impact on Provo’s roads. According to Keeslar,
Provo is unique in that approximately 55% of Provo acreage parcels are exempt
from paying property tax, yet those property owners have a significant impact
on Provo’s roads.
A study by Utah State University’s LTAP, Local Technology
Assistance Program, has shown that over the next ten years, Provo’s roads will
require $42 million in repair and maintenance costs. Those costs indicate a need for $4.2 million per
year in road funding, however, Provo’s public works department believes that
with some smart planning, it will be possible to meet the needs of maintaining
roads with just $3 million per year.
Currently, the city funds roads using a variety of sources,
including bonding, funds from the state, and from vehicle registration
fees. The Council is shying away from bonding
due to inefficient use of bonded monies through interest payments, and the fact
that bonding is not keeping up with increasing maintenance costs.
The Council ultimately agreed that further consideration and
discussion was necessary regarding the merits of the proposed options, and will
revisit the issue at a later date.
What do you think should be the solution to Provo’s long
term road funding issue? Let your Council member know by either posting a
comment to this post, or by contacting them directly here.
No comments:
Post a Comment