HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 02261985 - 2.2 T0: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: J. MICHAEL WALFORD, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
DATE: February 26, 1985
SUBJECT: Agenda Item 2.2, Analysis of SB 290 and SCA 12
Specific Requests or Recommendations b Background b Justification
RECOMMENDATION
Support SB 290 and SCA 12 in principle. Request the County Supervisors' Association of
California to propose the following amendments.
1. That up to 20 percent of the fuel taxes allocated to counties could be used for
design, construction, the payment for property taken or damaged for public streets and
highways; and
2. That the principles of Section 2106 of the Streets and Highways Code should be
preserved.
BACKGROUND
SB 290 as proposed will increase the State gasoline tax from 9 cents per gallon to 14 cents
per gallon. Three cents of the increase will go to cities and counties for local roads. The
remaining two cents will go to the State to finance both State highway and local transit
programs.
SCA 12, upon a majority vote of the electors in California, will give the County Board of
Supervisors the power to impose up to 5 cents per gallon of local gasoline tax for public
streets and highways.
SB 290 as proposed will have the following impact on Contra Costa County:
1. A 59 percent increase in gasoline tax revenue beginning January 1, 1987. This is the
lowest percent increase among the nine Bay Area counties. This is due to the change
in allocation formula which eliminates assessed valuation as a factor (Section 2106 of
the Streets and Highways Code will be repealed) .
2. For Fiscal Year 1987-88, we estimate that the revenue will be $11.2 million which is
still short of our $14 million annual maintenance need.
3. SB 290 specifies that all local gasoline tax revenue shall be used for maintenance of
local streets and highways. In order to use this revenue for capital improvements,
planning and administration, the Board of Supervisors will have to make a finding that
the maintenance needs have been met.
Continued on attachment: X yes Signature-
C_
Recommendation of County Administrator Recommendatioti of Board ammittee
Approve Other:
Signature(s):
Action of Board on: February 26, 1985 Approved as Recommended x Otherx
Also URGED that the recommendations of the County Engineers' Association with respect to
a formula for allocation of tax revenue be adopted.
Vote of Supervisors I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
x Unanimous (Absent ) AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
Ayes: Noes: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON DATE SHOWN.
Absent: Abstain:
BO.SB290.t2 (MS:sj 2/25/85) Attested 0?6
Orig. Div.: Public Works (TP) PHIL BATCHELDR, CLERK OF
cc: County Administrator THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
CCTAC AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
B
Y
DEPUTY CLERK
SB 290 does not define maintenance standards so there is no gage to judge to what
level we have to maintain our streets before a finding can be made. Making a finding
that the maintenance needs have been met could expose the Board of Supervisors to
considerable liability risk.
4. If all gasoline tax is to be used for maintenance, over $1 million per year of adminis-
trative, planning and capital programs will have to be funded by general fund.
5. SB 290 requires each county to maintain their level of general fund subvention in the
transportation program. It does not define the way to calculate general fund
subvention. Since 1980, the County has spent on the average of $700,000 per year from
general fund for storm damage repair.
6. SB 290 will increase State Transit Assistance to local operators by 500 percent.
Since the funds are partially allocated based on fare box recovery, AC Transit, BART
and San Francisco Muni will receive a disproportionally larger amount.
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