Update from County Supervisor Debbie Arnold
By 5th District San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Debbie Arnold
– We are seeing significant changes in transportation funding this year. With zero funding from both federal and state transportation agencies, we are confronted with the challenge of how to fund shortfalls for needed transportation maintenance, operations and improvements. You may be wondering what is causing the reduction in resources for road improvements. In short, fewer gallons of fuel are being purchased with the increase in higher efficiency hybrid, electric, and flex-fuel vehicles we’ve seen on the roads over the years has resulted in a reduction of tax revenues on a Federal and State level.
As a result, transportation funding has evolved into a “fix it first” policy by the state regarding our road infrastructure improvements. The lack of funding for road improvements will affect commercial development along the main highway arteries. It is typical for commercial development projects to have traffic road improvement fees as a part of their condition of approval. The dilemma that our local cities face is that the fix it first policy imposed by the state is now forcing local agencies to reassess their priorities and look for other sources of revenue.
There are two schools of thought:
1) increase taxes to provide a steady source of revenues to finance critical transportation programs and projects or;
2) re-prioritize existing tax revenues to ensure needed highway improvements. I prefer the latter solution.
I believe that tax payers expect their tax dollars will be used to fund road infrastructure as a top priority. Essentially, our government should use the funding that is collected for what it was originally appropriated for. Poorly maintained roads are not only a safety issue, but may result in increased vehicle maintenance costs. It is my hope that our state legislators will prioritize state revenues before they put their hand out for additional tax dollars to maintain our highway system.
It is an honor to represent the 5th District.
Debbie Arnold
Supervisor, 5th District
