ASCE/ASHE 2015 Annual State Conference. Coconino County Road Maintenance Sales Tax Initiative Proposition 403

Transcription

1 ASCE/ASHE 2015 Annual State Conference Coconino County Road Maintenance Sales Tax Initiative Proposition 403

2 Introductory Remarks Background Two + Years Working with the Board to Gain Support for Placing Ballot Measure Board Places Measure on the Ballot Major Voter Education Efforts Key Messages Strong Voter Approval = Mandate Lessons Learned 2

3 Background 3

4 Board Spends Two Years Evaluating the Issue 4

5 How We Got Here: The Gas Tax Challenge 5

6

7 Seven Years of Cost Cutting: Steps Taken by the County Over seven years, trimmed road maintenance costs by reducing permanent, annual costs by $2 million: Eliminated positions Extended equipment life cycles Balanced equipment use Reduced fleet size Implemented more efficient snow plan 7

8 Board Places Sales Tax on November Ballot 8

9 Major Voter Education Effort Over 125 Presentations Board Member(s) Present Over 4 dozen open houses and community meetings Almost a dozen Navajo Nation Chapter meetings & several other major meetings on the Navajo Nation 9

10 Major Voter Education Effort 1,000s of direct mail invites & info Hundreds of letters Robust advertising Free Media Extensive Several major community events Very successful social media outreach 10

11 Major Voter Education Efforts Publications Visuals for offices & events BOS s to constituents Utility bill stuffers Employee communications 11

12 Key Messages 12

13 Summary of Key Messages No new revenue = 40% reduction in routine road mtn services County roads are a key element of the overall transportation system that supports our daily lives and economy Roads are key to school districts Roads are essential to emergency services Access to outdoor recreation via Forest Service roads maintained by the County is key attraction for residents, employees & tourists Economic benefits Level of road maintenance service is decision by voters 13

14 County Road Maintenance Sales Tax RATE Three-tenths of one percent ($0.003), or 30 on a $100 purchase NET TAX INCREASE -- Another County tax expires this fall, so the net tax increase will be 17½ on a $100 purchase RESTRICTIONS funds can ONLY be used for road-related costs per statute & ballot language; funds CANNOT be swept by the State Proposition

15 The Impact of No New Revenue: Maintenance Services Reduced by 40% Routine road maintenance reduced by up to 40% Snowplows operate one shift, 7a.m. 4 p.m. Defer all capital projects, except grant-funded Equipment replaced only when it fails, if funds are available Elimination of County maintenance of school bus routes on the Navajo Nation 15

16 If Prop. 403 is Approved by Voters, How Will Funds be Used? Service County-maintained roads, including County-owned, USFS and BIA roads at current service level, including snow plowing Implement the County s Road Capital Improvement Plan, which includes primarily pavement maintenance and safety improvement projects Replace equipment on schedule to reduce service maintenance costs & to secure routine road maintenance service level 16

17 Snow Plan if Prop. 403 is Approved by Voters Revised Snow Plan in 2013 Some experience with new plan Learned from a few areas where experienced challenges & modified plan accordingly; will continue to modify as needed As PW has done historically, hiring temporary snow operators now Overall PW Workforce Plan will identify resources needed to meet service levels & retain $2 Million in permanent savings 17

18 Proposed Roads Capital Improvement Plan if Prop. 403 is Approved by Voters 18

19 Develop & Implement Plan for Reducing Service Levels to Match Revenues if Measure not Approved by Voters Through methodical process, develop 30, 60, 90, FY 2016 and long-range plans Set schedule of meetings with the Board to gain input and then approval for these plans Significantly reduced service levels likely will create crises with members of our communities County will not manage this as a crisis. County will implement direction from voters and be thoughtful & consistent in its process as has done so to date 19

20 Strong Voter Support City, County road taxes pass November 05,

21 Implementation Has Begun 21

22 FY-15 CIP: Munds Wash Bridge 22

23 FY-15 CIP: Pinewood Blvd 23

24 FY-15 CIP: Koch Field Rd 24

25 FY-15 CIP: Chip Seal 25

26 FY-15 Road Maintenance 26

27 What s Next? 27

28 Lessons Learned 28

29 Questions For More Information Go to coconino.az.gov/countyroads Like Coconino County Roads Call (928)