Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout38. 16-399JULY 26, 2016 16 -399 RESOLUTION (CARRIED 6 -0 LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN ) PURPOSE: APPROVE SUPPORT OF TRANSPORTATION FUNDING FOR WISCONSIN AND ITS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS INITIATED BY: CITY ADMINISTRATION WHEREAS, local government in Wisconsin is responsible for about 90% of the road miles in the state; and WHEREAS, Wisconsin's diverse economy is dependent upon county and town roads as well as city and village streets and transit systems across the state; and WHEREAS, according to "Filling Potholes: A New Look at Funding Local Transportation in Wisconsin," commissioned by the Local Government Institute of Wisconsin (LGI), the condition of Wisconsin's highways is now in the bottom third of the country; and WHEREAS, state funding for local roads in Wisconsin has failed to keep up with costs over the past several decades which has adversely affected local transportation finances. According to "Filling Potholes," municipal transportation spending has declined from $275 per capita in 2000 to $227 in 2012; and WHEREAS, high quality and fast transit systems are critical to attracting businesses and people to urban areas, yet state funding for transit is less today than it was five years ago; and WHEREAS, levy limits do not allow local government to make up for the deterioration of state funding; and WHEREAS, Wisconsin's over - reliance on borrowing eats away at the state's segregated funding sources - the state gas tax and vehicle registration fees - which increasingly pay debt service rather than fund transportation needs; and JULY 26, 2016 16 -399 RESOLUTION CONT'D WHEREAS, safety is a primary concern and responsibility of local governments across Wisconsin. Unfortunately, according to TRIP, a national non - profit transportation research group, Wisconsin had 347 non - interstate, rural road fatalities in 2013; and WHEREAS, the City of Oshkosh Common Council recognizes that our state highway and interstate system is the backbone of our surface transportation system and plays a vital role in the economy of Wisconsin. Both local and state roads need to be properly maintained in order for our economy to grow; and WHEREAS, from a competitive standpoint Wisconsin motorists pay significantly less than any of our neighbors when you combine the annual cost of the state gas tax and vehicle registration fees; and WHEREAS, the Transportation Finance and Policy Commission, appointed by the Governor and Legislature clearly found that if Wisconsin does not adjust its user fees, the condition of our state and local roads as well as local transit systems will deteriorate significantly over the next decade. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Oshkosh Common Council the City of Oshkosh urges the Governor and Legislature to address transportation funding and agree upon a sustainable solution: one that includes a responsible level of bonding and adjusts our user fees to adequately and sustainably fund Wisconsin's multi - modal transportation system. Furthermore, the City of Oshkosh Common Council directs the Clerk to send a copy of this resolution to our State Legislators, Governor Scott Walker and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities. DATE: July 20, 2016 TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Mark A. Rohloff, City Manager, f.4_ -1E_::_ , SUBJECT: SUPPORT FOR " #JUST FIX IT" CAMPAIGN FOR TRANSPORTATION FUNDING The League of Wisconsin Municipalities (LWM) and other local government based advocacy groups recently commissioned a study by the Local Government Institute (LGI) to review the effects of transportation funding on the condition of Wisconsin roads. The report, entitled "Filling Potholes: A New Look at Funding Local Transportation in Wisconsin" found that the condition of Wisconsin's highways is within the bottom third of all states in the country. The study highlights the importance of good roads, transit, and other modes of transportation to the overall economy. The study cites the reduced amount of gas tax funding in recent years, due in part to the removal of gas tax indexing over a decade ago, as well as Wisconsin's increased reliance on debt to fund improvements as the cause of reduced funding. In response to the LGI report, the LWM has partnered with the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin (TDA) to promote the " #Just Fix It" campaign. The goal is to create a public information campaign to make citizens aware of the transportation funding issues and the long -term effects of not investing in our infrastructure. The LWM and TDA plan to conduct public meetings in all 72 Wisconsin counties this fall to bring greater awareness to this issue. Additionally, the League and TDA is also requesting that municipalities adopt resolutions in support of the " #Just Fix It" campaign. The attached resolution has been provided to us by the League, and we have modified it to match our local needs. With so many transportation services provided by the city, I believe it is appropriate for council to adopt this resolution and join this informational campaign and impress upon the public and our legislators that we need to address transportation funding issues in Wisconsin. By following the recommendations of the report and the " #Just Fix It" campaign, we are taking the appropriate steps in addressing transportation funding reform in Wisconsin. City Manager Mark A. Rohloff City Hall, 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130 920.236.5002 http: / /www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us Wisconsin Transportation - Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin • 81 public transit systems provide access to public transportation for 55% of the state's population • 10 railroads, including 4 Class I railroads, carry more than 200 million tons of cargo each year • 127 public -use or general aviation airports accommodate almost 5 million passengers and move more than 118 million pounds of cargo a year • 29 commercial ports handle more than 30 million tons of cargo annually • 110,000 miles of interstate, state and local roads facilitate the movement of commerce in the state Transportation is more than a way to move goods and people from one place to another. The integrated network of Wisconsin's multimodal transportation system actually functions as a platform for the entire state economy. Wisconsin's competitiveness is directly affected by the strength of each mode of transportation as well how efficiently the modes function within the state's transportation network. In 2010, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce developed a Transportation Performance Index to quantify the correlation between the performance of the transportation network and the economy. The Chamber found that if the national Transportation Performance Index had been as high as the average in the top five states, nearly $1 trillion in additional Gross Domestic Product would have been realized. Wisconsin ranked in the lower third of states in the index. Funding Wisconsin's segregated transportation fund, which funds all transportation programs, is made up of federal funds, state funds, and bond proceeds. Federal 241 Other Funds 8% State Funds inns. Bond Funds 2013- 2015Bitnul "I 14% State Funding — The motor fuel tax and vehicle registration fee are the primary state revenue sources for transportation. The gas tax is Wisconsin's largest source of transportation funding making up 52 percent of state transportation revenues and approximately 30 percent of total transportation revenues. As a result, Wisconsin's transportation funding base is one of the narrowest in the nation. Wisconsin provides very little general purpose revenue to its all -modes transportation fund to support those forms of transportation that do not contribute user fee revenues to the fund. Other states use additional revenue sources such as significant general fund revenue, sales tax revenues, local tax options and tolling to pay for their transportation needs. The Wisconsin Transportation Finance and Policy Commission, on which TDA served, issued a comprehensive analysis of Wisconsin's transportation funding challenges. Federal Funding — Federal transportation programs provide approximately one quarter of Wisconsin's transportation revenue. These funds are raised primarily through the federal gas tax and are returned to each state based on formulas in six -year authorizations and in annual appropriations. The federal. gas tax has not been adjusted since 1993 when it was increased to 18.4 cents per gallon. At that time, the price of gasoline was just over $1 per gallon and the top - selling Ford Taurus averaged 23 miles to the gallon. Today gas prices are around $3 per gallon, the Ford Fusion Hybrid averages 42 miles per gallon and the federal gas tax is still 18.4 cents per gallon. Every year TDA members travel to Washington, D.C. for the TDA Fly -in. The TDA Fly -in is the perfect opportunity to bring Wisconsin transportation issues to our national representatives. TDA Transportation Priorities • Develop and maintain a strong, interconnected transportation network that will support a robust economy and enhance the quality of life for everyone in Wisconsin. • Recognize the importance of adequate user fees to pay for the maintenance and improvement of our transportation network. • Increase the diversity of funding sources for Wisconsin's transportation fund. • Maintain the historic federal -state partnership in regards to transportation funding. Just Fix It Wisconsin - Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin It's Time Wisconsin Like other states, Wisconsin has been grappling for more than a decade with transportation revenue insufficient to meet state and local needs. The issue has been studied. Reports have been issued, and recommendations have been put forth. However, no progress has been made toward a long -term funding solution, while Wisconsin falls further behind. Some problems are truly perplexing to solve — like eradicating poverty or reining in the cost of health care. Fixing our state and local roads and bus systems is not one of those. We know what needs to be done. JUST FIX IT.