Millions fund repairs and annual maintenance
Roseville, Calif.- As inflation rises around the world and locally here in California, gas taxes have become a contentious issue for some. Tax rates per gallon have nearly tripled over the last decade.
An influx of traffic, rising costs of road repairs, and maintaining vital infrastructure are often cited as reasons supporters back increases in gas taxes. Others have demanded a pause on these taxes during a period of rising inflation.
Today, we look back at Placer County’s view from 2017 on the benefits to our communities of the planned gas tax increases. Agree or disagree?
Placer County’s first share of California’s new gasoline tax revenues will go to resurfacing weather-beaten roads in its North Lake Tahoe west shore communities.
An increase in gas taxes authorized by the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, also known as Senate Bill 1, is expected to eventually generate $5 billion a year in new funding for road repair and maintenance statewide, with approximately $1.5 billion of that to go to cities and counties for local road work. The tax increase is set to take effect Nov. 1.
“With this new funding, we are in a much better position to maintain them the way our communities have been asking for and deserve.”
Ken Grehm
$7- $10 million annually
Between January and June 2018, Placer County expects to receive approximately $3 million in new revenues, and an estimated $7 million to $10 million a year after that. These funds will supplement the county’s existing funding for road maintenance, which the law requires local agencies to continue.
Deterioration of roads
Funding for ongoing maintenance has been flat for nearly 20 years while the cost of asphalt and oil has nearly tripled, leaving Placer’s funding for road resurfacing projects increasingly limited. Funds from the new bill will allow the county to resume routine resurfacing projects every year, instead of sporadically as funding allows.
“For years we’ve had to make hard choices and stretch every dollar and still struggled to keep up with the deterioration of our roads,” said Placer County Director of Public Works and Facilities Ken Grehm.
Placer expects to complete resurfacing of the roads identified for the new funding in summer 2018. Generally, the county will prioritize the roads based on traffic volume and need.
The tax increase will also help fund $11 million in Caltrans projects to repair culverts in Placer County along Interstate 80 and state Route 49.
Gas Tax & Revenue
| Fiscal Year To | Gasoline Tax Rate Per Gallon as of July 1 | Gasoline Revenue | Gasoline Refund |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0.51 | $6,596,923,000 | $5,122,000 |
| 2020 | 0.47 | $6,632,125,000 | $5,187,000 |
| 2019 | 0.42 | $6,400,573,000 | $5,618,000 |
| 2018 | 0.42 | $5,875,432,000 | $6,978,000 |
| 2017 | 0.28 | $4,323,746,000 | $5,385,000 |
| 2016 | 0.30 | $4,592,700,000 | $6,073,000 |
| 2015 | 0.36 | $5,374,334,000 | $3,855,000 |
| 2014 | 0.40 | $5,763,417,000 | $5,844,000 |
| 2013 | 0.36 | $5,206,304,000 | $7,345,000 |
| 2012 | 0.36 | $5,221,980,000 | $6,478,000 |
| 2011 | 0.35 | $5,203,759,000 | $5,040,000 |
| 2010 | 0.18 | $2,668,891,000 | $3,314,000 |
