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Proposed vehicle registration fee ordinance has first reading
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Culvert collapse on Timber Road, December 2015 |
The first reading of an ordinance calling for a $30 annual vehicle registration fee (VRF) to offset some of the maintenance funding shortfall and improve transportation safety was conducted during the Sept. 6 Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting.
Under proposed Ordinance 817, the County VRF would only go into effect if the state Legislature fails to pass a 2017 transportation funding package that provides additional County revenue equal to or greater than $8.1 million annually - the County's share of revenue generated by a $30 VRF - in the first year.
An estimated $4 million per year in additional funding is needed to maintain the County's pavement at a "good" level. In addition, 54 culverts need replacing at a cost of $6.5 million. Eighty-one bridges are deficient; of those 14 are weight limited. The total cost of bridge repair/replacement is $120 million.
The County has had to defer
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Beef Bend culvert failure, December 2015 |
preventative maintenance and repairs, which has created safety issues on many roads. Examples include the collapse of aging culverts on both Timber and Beef Bend roads last December. The Timber Road culvert collapsed minutes after a school bus drove over it.
In July, representatives from citizen advisory committees, area chambers of commerce and the Westside Economic Alliance testified at meetings and sent letters to the Board, asking for a $43 VRF - the maximum allowed under state law - to improve road safety. The board opted for a $30 VRF, which will address the most critical needs only, while limiting the financial impact on vehicle owners.
"We are mindful of the fact that voters did reject, by a narrow margin, a 2014 ballot measure that called for a $30 VRF," Duyck said. "Given that, the Board was reluctant to move ahead with a $43 fee, but agreed that something has to be done. The maintenance funding shortfall hasn't gone away, and it is creating significant safety issues. We would be remiss if we didn't take action to keep our roads safe for all travelers."
Under the proposed ordinance, the VRF would cost the average vehicle owner $2.50/month and would generate an estimated $13.5 million in revenue. This revenue would be split 60/40 between the County ($8.1 million) and the cities within the County ($5.4 million) as required by state statute. All funds received by the County would be used only for local maintenance to improve the safety and condition of County roads, bridges and culverts.
A public hearing on the ordinance will be held during the Board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 20 in the auditorium of the Charles D. Cameron Public Services Building,
155 N. First Ave. For more information, visit
KeepRoadsSafe.org.
Media release
Countywide
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