Consent 1.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
Board of Supervisors
- Meeting Date:
- 11/19/2013
- Title:
- HURF Funds Resolution
- Submitted By:
- Arlethe Rios, Board of Supervisors
- Department:
- Board of Supervisors
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Document Signatures:
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
n/a
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
n/a
Mandated Function?:
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Adopt Resolution 13-39 requesting the Arizona Legislature restore local Highway User Revenue Funds (HURF) and work with transportation stakeholders to identify and enact revenue enhancements for the existing HURF distribution system and to pursue policies that improve efficient utilization of transportation resources.
Background:
County officials are alarmed by the deteriorating condition of transportation infrastructure and the weakening ability of Highway User Revenue Fund (HURF) resources to meet local needs. Stagnant revenue collections from the gas tax, coupled with inflation of costs for building materials and maintenance has atrophied HURF’s purchasing power.
Absent action, statewide infrastructure will continue to degrade:
• County roadways are critical for economic development, public safety and quality of life in Arizona;
• County road construction has largely ceased and maintenance levels have been reduced substantially;
• Lack of resources and concerns over liability have forced counties to designate more roads as “primitive”; and,
• Reduced and limited maintenance leads to:
o Dangerous road conditions and damaged vehicles
o More costly road rehabilitation and reconstruction
Transportation Policy: Immediate Needs Stop Diversions of Local Government HURF:
Since FY09, state action has diverted more than $634.7 million from state, municipal and county road building and maintenance resources to fund two state agencies. This removed $115 million from county transportation activities.
In the FY14 state budget, $120 million of HURF is diverted from road work to fund state obligations at DPS. Stopping the diversion of HURF will restore approximately $20.9 million annually to county road maintenance.
Identify and Enact Enhanced Revenues and Efficiencies: Restoration of HURF to local governments provides immediate relief, but only addresses a fraction of infrastructure needs. The growing crisis in transportation funding is impeding economic development and endangering public safety.
In addition to the restoration of HURF, CSA urges the legislature to work with stakeholders to identify and enact revenue enhancements for the existing HURF distribution system, and to pursue policies that improve efficient utilization of transportation resources.
Absent action, statewide infrastructure will continue to degrade:
• County roadways are critical for economic development, public safety and quality of life in Arizona;
• County road construction has largely ceased and maintenance levels have been reduced substantially;
• Lack of resources and concerns over liability have forced counties to designate more roads as “primitive”; and,
• Reduced and limited maintenance leads to:
o Dangerous road conditions and damaged vehicles
o More costly road rehabilitation and reconstruction
Transportation Policy: Immediate Needs Stop Diversions of Local Government HURF:
Since FY09, state action has diverted more than $634.7 million from state, municipal and county road building and maintenance resources to fund two state agencies. This removed $115 million from county transportation activities.
In the FY14 state budget, $120 million of HURF is diverted from road work to fund state obligations at DPS. Stopping the diversion of HURF will restore approximately $20.9 million annually to county road maintenance.
Identify and Enact Enhanced Revenues and Efficiencies: Restoration of HURF to local governments provides immediate relief, but only addresses a fraction of infrastructure needs. The growing crisis in transportation funding is impeding economic development and endangering public safety.
In addition to the restoration of HURF, CSA urges the legislature to work with stakeholders to identify and enact revenue enhancements for the existing HURF distribution system, and to pursue policies that improve efficient utilization of transportation resources.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Send resolution and letter to state legislators.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
State legislators will not know that Cochise County supports HURF Funds being returned to local governments.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
Mail letters to state legislators with copy of signed resolution.