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County presents 20‑year pavement management plan and introduces 1% roads sales tax ordinance for unincorporated areas
Summary
Transportation staff and MCOG presented a 20‑year pavement management plan showing a county PCI near 47 and a $575M need to restore all roads; the Board introduced a proposed 1% transportation sales tax (first reading) that would prioritize preservation, corrective maintenance and modest staffing restoration and directed staff to return with additional fiscal detail for voters.
County transportation director Howard DeShield and Mendocino Council of Governments Executive Director Nepheeli Barrett presented the county's updated pavement management program and the fiscal rationale for a proposed 1% transportation sales tax limited to unincorporated areas.
Presenters summarized the pavement condition index (PCI) methodology (StreetSaver 0–100 scale), showed the county average PCI around the mid‑40s and explained common treatments: preventative maintenance (chip seal, microseals), corrective maintenance (in‑place recycling or structural overlays) and routine maintenance (crew patching, ditching, striping). The presenters said the statewide local streets and roads needs assessment estimates roughly $575 million would be required to bring the county system to very good condition; the county's current 20‑year corrective/preventive maintenance plan averages about $5.5 million per year.
A consultant projection in the presentation showed that doubling annual corrective and preventive investments could raise average county PCI into the mid‑60s over 20 years. DeShield said additional revenue would also allow the county to restore roughly seven to eleven road‑crew positions and to improve routine maintenance capacity, equipment and materials.
The Board introduced and waived first reading of an ordinance to impose a 1% county transportation transaction sales and use tax in unincorporated areas (Chapter 5.160) with a proposed expenditure plan allocating approximately 40% for preservation, 50% for corrective maintenance, and a portion for staffing increases and program administration. County counsel reminded the Board that placing a special tax on the ballot requires 2/3 of the Board (4 of 4 present at this meeting) and later a 2/3 voter approval to pass. Several supervisors asked staff to return with more fiscal transparency — including historic road spending, staffing and equipment shortfalls, and a clearer year‑by‑year list of candidate projects — to better inform voters before the second reading and any ballot action.
The Board voted to introduce the ordinance and to continue the item to the next meeting for additional materials and a resolution calling the election.
