Over the past several months, Coconino County has worked with area stakeholders, businesses, non-profit organizations and residents to outline options and the potentially grim future for the county’s roadway infrastructure.
Funding cuts on the federal and state levels, combined with gas tax revenue that has remained stagnant since the mid-1990s, have forced local governments like cities and counties to seek additional funding from voters to continue current levels of road maintenance. This is even after the county trimmed $2 million in permanent costs from the county’s road maintenance budget.
The truth is, the county can no longer sustain levels of road maintenance services with current funding. So on Nov. 4, county voters will be asked to shape the future of our roadway infrastructure by determining the fate of Proposition 403.
The county is at a financial tipping point and Proposition 403 asks voters to determine whether to impose a 3/10-cent sales tax, which equates to 30 cents on a $100 purchase, for road maintenance and equipment. The question comes as the county’s Parks and Open Space sales tax expires, meaning that if Proposition 403 is approved, the net tax increase will be 17.5 cents on a $100 purchase.
In the City of Flagstaff, the total sales tax rate will remain under nine percent even if both the city’s streets repair sales tax and the county’s Road Maintenance ballot measure are approved. Funding from the new sales tax can only be used to repair and service county-maintained roads.
If approved, it is estimated that the county tax would generate about $7 million per year for 20 years to allow the county to continue to repair and properly maintained our roads. The county would also be able to implement its 10-year Road Improvement Plan, which earmarks an average of $4 million annually for road projects for the first ten years.
Funding through Proposition 403 will allow the county to continue to maintain and service county-maintained roads, and retain adequate reserves for emergencies such as natural disasters and road failures – a must in our county. We’ll also replace heavy road equipment when it surpasses its life expectancy.
Without additional funding, we’ll be required to trim baseline services by up to 40 percent for snow plowing and repairs to our 930 miles of roadways maintained. We would be forced to significantly reduce our investment in road maintenance, safety improvement projects and equipment.
The decision by the County Board of Supervisors to place Proposition 403 before voters followed extensive input from local stakeholders. After each presentation the outcome for community members was the same: we can no longer afford the same levels of service on current revenue.
If voters approve Proposition 403, the county’s investments in local roadway infrastructure would benefit local contractors and create an average of 133 jobs over 20 years. Northern Arizona’s Rural Policy Institute estimates a local economic impact of $182 million over the life of the proposed Road Maintenance Construction Sales Tax.
As you can see, this is a community issue that needs a community solution to protect our local economy and our largest public asset. I encourage you to visit www.coconino.az.gov/CountyRoads and search for “Coconino Roads” on Facebook and Twitter to educate yourself on the state of the county’s road maintenance future before casting your vote for or against Proposition 403. FBN
By Cynthia Seelhammer
Cynthia Seelhammer is a Flagstaff resident and serves as Coconino County manager.