Franklin County public works outlines $16.35 million roads budget, urges protection of motor‑fuel tax and ramps up preservation

Franklin County public works staff reviewed a proposed road and bridge budget at the board’s budget workshop that totaled about $16.35 million and emphasized preservation work, bridge needs and the county’s dependence on motor vehicle fuel tax and grant funding.

Public works staff said approximately 26% of the roads budget is expected to come from property tax (about $4.2 million anticipated this year), roughly 17% from motor vehicle fuel tax (about $2.7 million) and about one‑third from federal grants for capital projects. Staff identified large capital projects slated for the coming year, including construction on North Railroad Avenue and several bridge projects tied to federal or state funding.

Why it matters: County staff told commissioners that motor vehicle fuel tax revenues have been flat or in decline and that recent gas‑tax rate increases have not increased county shares; those revenues are constitutionally dedicated for roads and represent a critical flexible funding source for maintenance and preservation. Staff warned that growth in electric vehicles and long‑term shifts could erode fuel‑tax receipts and that replacement revenue sources need constitutional protection to be reliable.

Preservation and capital plans: County staff said preservation work will increase to about 50 miles of treated roads next year — a jump toward the county’s 50–60‑mile target for preservation. Staff estimated preservation spending of roughly $2.3 million and about $1.8 million for gravel‑road (Granite/Gravel) work. Capital construction funded by federal grants was described as about $5.35 million in the coming year.

Bridges and engineering: Staff stated the county has about 80 system bridges and roughly 26 bridges in a deficit or replacement category; many timber bridges are decades old and standards/criteria changes can affect which structures qualify for replacement. Commissioners discussed whether standardizing common bridge templates and bundling projects could reduce per‑project engineering costs; staff said some templating is already used but site conditions vary and engineering remains a significant component of cost.

Winter operations and cash flow: Winter operations were budgeted at $425,000; staff warned unusually severe winters can consume the line and affect other projects. Motor vehicle fuel tax proceeds arrive roughly two months after collection, meaning the county must cash‑flow projects while waiting for receipts. Staff said the county had previously borrowed to cover cash‑flow shortfalls but aims to avoid future borrowing and to build a larger reserve.

Materials and pits: Commissioners and staff discussed the potential cost savings from procuring or crushing aggregate locally and partnering with federal agencies or other counties; staff said timing and site quality affect feasibility and that some pits have produced poor material. Staff said some efficiencies are possible through competitive buying and by consolidating larger volumes for bidding.

Quotes: “This is really the flexible stuff. This has let us take care of what needs to be done locally that that isn't covered through state and federal grants,” a public works speaker said. On the fuel tax, a speaker said, “Revenues on motor vehicle fuel tax are either flat or declining. That’s a huge problem.”

What’s next: Commissioners and staff agreed to continue developing the six‑year transportation improvement plan, to explore options for bundling bridge designs and for local aggregate procurement, and to seek to build cash reserves to reduce reliance on interfund borrowing.