A recent survey of 1,200 likely Coconino County voters found that most believe that county roads are well-maintained, but support
raising additional revenue to sustain the current levels of maintenance services.
The survey, conducted between Oct. 23 and Nov. 12 by GlobaLocal Visions, LLC, highlights the attitudes
of voters living in and around the City of Flagstaff and other areas of the County. The survey found that
residents supported raising sales tax revenue to support current levels of service.
Other key findings of the survey include:
-55 percent of likely County voters support increasing the County’s sales tax to maintain the
current level of road maintenance and repair.
-Voters value snow plowing services, which allow for the safe travel of residents, commuters and
school children.
-Voters understand that a lack of investment in road maintenance leads to more costly road
repairs and reconstruction in the future. They also recognize that poor roads result in costly
vehicle repairs.
– Although many voters believe County roads are in good shape, many complain of too many
potholes.
The survey is part of an effort by the County to address a significant decline in road maintenance
revenue, which sits at 1998 levels. The County can no longer sustain the current level of road
maintenance using available revenues and projects a $100-million budget shortfall over 10 years.
“Reductions in funding for road maintenance have greatly impacted our transportation infrastructure,”
said County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Ryan. “Survey results show that residents value our
roads greatly, but the County is unable to sustain the costs associated with maintaining our
transportation needs with 1998 revenue levels. This survey is just one of many tools we are using to
better understand our citizen’s desired level of road-related services and support for funding the costs
associated with that level of service.”
The reduction of revenue is a result of significant funding cuts at the federal level and lagging state
revenue. Aggravating the problem is that gas tax rates have not been adjusted in more than 20 years to
account for inflation, more fuel-efficient vehicles and declining gasoline sales.
The County and Board of Supervisors is evaluating all options, including revenue enhancements to
address the imbalance between revenues and desired road services.
“Our roadway infrastructure is the economic and social livelihood of our communities,” said County
Manager Cynthia Seelhammer. “More than 25 percent of county maintained roads are in severe or poor
condition. Yet there are very few funding options to address the transportation maintenance needs
facing our communities.”
In an effort to cut costs, the County scaled back snow plowing operations for the upcoming winter,
vacant positions are being held open and more services will be reduced in the future.
County officials also plan to work with federal and state lawmakers to restore transportation funding,
which will ease financial pressure on the County, but not solve the overall funding shortfall. On the state
level, the County will seek to end revenue shifts from the State Highway User Revenue Fund (HURF),
which is earmarked to fund county transportation projects but is being diverted to fund state agencies.
“Without adequate funding the County will run a $100-million budget shortfall just to meet current
service levels. We cannot let that happen,” Seelhammer said. “We will continue to conduct essential road
maintenance to avoid costlier projects in the future, but the County is severely limited on what work can
be done with current funding levels.”
