Item 2D - 2005 Leg.Policies Doc - Laserfiche WebLink

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IV. TRANSPORTATION A. FUNDING FOR STREETS, HIGHWAYS AND TRANSIT Funding needs for maintenance and preservation of the City's existing transportation system remain in a critical stage. Inflation is eroding the buying power of current funding, yet the City's population and transportation system usage continues to grow. Present funds do not allow the City of Eugene to preserve its current investment in maintaining existing transportation infrastructure or address the increased safety, seismic, public transit and growth needs of the people and businesses in our community. Without additional funding, the existing system will continue to deteriorate. Presently there exists an unfunded backlog of capital preservation projects for the City's streets (street overlays and reconstructions) of over $70 million. This backlog could grow to more than $232 million by 2011 unless additional capital funding is located. The City is also facing a shortfall in funding for transportation system operation as well. In the fall of 2000, the City Council requested that the Citizen Subcommittee of the Eugene Budget Committee review local funding options to address these needs. The subcommittee concluded that the most critical capital funding need currently facing the City is in addressing the backlog of preservation work for both streets and off-street bike paths. In order to meet this goal of preserving Eugene's transportation infrastructure, adequate funds are also required for operating and maintaining the system. The subcommittee recommended that the council implement a transportation funding package consisting of a combination local motor vehicle fuel tax and transportation utility fee for the purpose of generating an additional $9 million each year to address the City's transportation funding needs. In 2003, the City of Eugene adopted a $0.03 gas tax. As of November 2004, the Council is considering further proposals consistent with the findings of the subcommittee to address transportation funding needs. The 2003 Legislature passed HB 2041, increasing vehicle titling and registration fees to fund a transportation finance package generating $1.6 billion for state and local bridges repair and replacement. Intersate-5 Bridges locally, over the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers, are two highlighted examples of the state's investment in replacing and strengthening bridges essential to the statewide transportation system for both commercial and general use transit. HB 2041 additionally provides welcomed new revenue to cities that can be applied to maintenance of existing local transportation systems. Further resources are needed locally though to fully address local system maintenance. Recommendation: 1. Support a supplemental iteration of a 2005 OTIA transportation funding package that: a. bolsters a more equitable share of funding for cities and counties City of Eugene Legislative Policies, 2005 Session 18