Title
Department of Transportation recommending the Board:
1) Receive and file the updated California Statewide Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment Report;
2) Approve the annual share-of-cost funding for the California Statewide Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment Report; and
3) Authorize the yearly contribution to be paid annually, along with the CEAC dues. (Est. Time: 20 Min.)
FUNDING: Road Fund.
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
|
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Total Estimated Cost |
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$1,200 |
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|
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Funding |
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Budgeted |
$ |
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New Funding |
$ |
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Savings |
$300 |
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*Other |
$900 |
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Total Funding Available |
$1,200 |
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Change To Net County Cost |
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$0 |
* Will be included in future Road Fund budgets
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost:
There is no Change to Net County Cost. County Engineers Association of California (CEAC) is requesting that Counties contribute 1/4 of the total cost of the next two reports, over a four year period, to be paid along with the annual CEAC dues. The total cost of the reports is $500,000. The regional agencies (MPO's) are contributing 50%, or $250,000. Cities and Counties are being asked to contribute the other $250,000, of which the Counties share is $125,000. The County of El Dorado's portion is $1,158, rounded up to $1,200, or $300 a year for the next 4 years. The annual cost will be paid by the Road Fund. CEAC is included on the Department's membership listing in FY 11/12. There will be savings in the overall Department memberships to accommodate this increase.
Background:
In 2007, the County Engineers Association of California (CEAC) and the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) in partnership with the League of California Cities (League) embarked on an effort for a needs assessment for the local streets and roads system statewide. In 2009, CSAC and the League released the results of the first ever comprehensive California Statewide Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment Report (Report). Spurred by a $250,000 contribution towards the effort from the County of Los Angeles, Cities and Counties made individual financial contributions to raise over $600,000 for the project. This initial funding allowed CSAC and the League to contract with Nichols Consulting Engineers for the development of the first report and to finance a two-year update which was released early this year.
Reason for Recommendation:
The Report turned out to be more valuable than anyone had anticipated. In addition to educating the public, local elected officials, and key policy and decision-makers at the state and federal levels, on the condition, status of, and needs on, the local streets and roads system, CSAC and League staff used the comprehensive data to advocate against, and avoid significant cuts to local transportation funding over a number of state budget cycles. The budget proposals would have been devastating to Cities and Counties across the state, and would have negatively affected the transportation network as a whole. Specifically, CSAC and the League used the Report to:
· Make presentations to key members of the Legislature (and distribute the Report to each member of the Legislature, the Governor, and to California's Congressional Delegation);
· Make a presentation to the California Transportation Commission (CTC);
· Meet with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to discuss in detail the methodology, assumptions, and specific findings of the Report;
· Make local presentations to Boards of Supervisors and City Councils; and
· Use the findings in numerous letters on legislation and the budget to avoid negative policies and budgetary decisions for local transportation funding.
The results of the Report were used to demonstrate the ongoing needs on the local streets and roads system during state budget discussion and was critical to our success in stopping significant cuts to transportation funding for Cities and Counties. In fact, the results of the 2010 update were so well received, that they will be incorporated into the CTC's Statewide Transportation System Needs Assessment (near completion). DOT has used the valuable information contained in the Report during presentations to the Board of Supervisors, requesting ongoing General Fund support for Road Maintenance operations. A copy of the updated Report is attached.
The cost allocations to each agency for this proposed funding were proportional to the amount of Gas Tax funding that each agency receives. Thus, larger agencies are being requested to pay a larger proportionate share of the costs of the upcoming updates, with smaller agencies paying a smaller share.
Action to be taken following Board approval:
1) Receive and file the updated Report.
2) Approve the annual share-of-cost funding for the Report ($300/year).
3) Authorize the yearly contribution to be paid annually, along with the CEAC dues.
Contact:
James W. Ware, P.E.
Director of Transportation