HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 1997.02.13 - 25030Miscellaneous Resolution # 97024
BY: Donald Jensen, Thomas A. Law, David L. Moffitt, Lawrence A. Obrecht, Dennis Powers,
Donn L. Wolf
RE: (SUPPORT)-NONTAXATION ROAD ENHANCEMENT ALTERNATIVES
TO THE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Mr. Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS, good roads are vital for the commercial viability, tourism, economic well-being,
safety, and quality of life in Oakland County; and
WHEREAS, Oakland County's Road Commission and community have over 5,000 miles of
road to maintain, plus 310 miles of state highway under contract; and
WHEREAS, the above factors are being jeopardized due to deteriorating pavement
conditions, a climbing accident rate, increasing traffic volumes and congestion, and a failure of the
legislature to adequately fund road maintenance and improvement projects; and
WHEREAS, Michigan has ranked in the bottom 10 states for over 30 years of road funding,
to the point where Michigan ranks 49th in per capita spending on roads, and 50th in spending per
thousand miles of travel; and
WHEREAS, it has been over 14 years since the legislature in Michigan voted to increase its
15 cent gas tax, when only 5 states have a lower rate, and the dollar amount generated declines every
year on a per vehicle basis as newer cars get increasingly better gas mileage; and
WHEREAS, Oakland County receives back less than it generates each year in fuel taxes, and
thus, is a major donor county to the rest of the state; and
WHEREAS, Oakland County suffers from inadequate federal fund allocations because, firstly,
Michigan is a donor state to the rest of the nation; secondly, because the state does not spend a fair
share of its federal funds in Oakland County; and thirdly, because the state Department of
Transportation last year deviated from its traditionally accepted sharing of federal ISTEA funds by
keeping most of the local portion to fund three expensive state projects; and
WHEREAS, the concept of dedicated fuel and registration fees represents the most equitable
way to address both road maintenance and the $1.5 billion backlog of road improvement needs in
Oakland County, the postponement of which threatens our economic growth and vitality; and
WHEREAS, current law has for decades stipulated a fair and accepted distribution of state
fuel taxes which should be continued, but is under attack by those seeking to direct up to 70% of new
state road revenues, and up to 90% of all federal resources to the state Department of Transportation;
and
WHEREAS, earlier proposals of 5 cents and 7 cents would have allowed local road agencies
to barely keep pace with road repairs and inflation, but not to fund the backlog of road improvement
needs; and
WHEREAS, legislative proposals to increase funding of the Michigan Transportation Fund,
by addressing gas and diesel taxes as well as other mechanisms, are being considered this year.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Board strongly supports change in the road
distribution formula that would reduce the disparity between what Oakland County contributes versus
what it receives from state funds, due to decades of Oakland being a donor county to the other
counties and the state.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Board opposes any legislative effort to increase the
state share of road funds by dedicating portions of the revenues "off the top", or prior to use of the
distribution formula for any special fund, purpose, agency, or cause, for any period of time, as that
would erode the local road funds and destroy decades of equitable funding arrangements and inter-
agency cooperation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Board supports continued application of the 75%-
25% principle of federal aid sharing between the state and its local road agencies.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby
forms an Ad Hoc Committee to be appointed by the Chairperson of the Board to study and report
on alternative means of finding road improvements.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution shall be sent to all Oakland
County state legislators, thg si..ty's legislative agents, and the Michigan Association of Counties.
1, ..- • i , tiloA, le ado stion of the foregoing resolution.
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Resolution #97024 February 13, 1997
The Vice Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government
Committee. There were no objections.