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Council hears limited gas‑tax options as staff lays out road funding gap
Summary
Staff told the council Benicia receives roughly $800,000 from one gas‑tax stream plus about $200,000 from a franchise agreement for roads, and cautioned the state gas tax is not expected to generate significant growth; council members said that uncertainty reinforces the need for local revenue measures.
City staff explained the local picture for road funding and the limits on reallocating gas‑tax dollars. “We have about $800,000 in one stream of gas tax that's used to support our roads,” the city manager said, and added the city receives roughly $200,000 from the Republic Services franchise agreement specifically earmarked for road maintenance related to heavy‑truck wear.
Councilmember Campbell and others said independent analyses show gas‑tax revenue pressure ahead: “In the next 10 years, the gas tax will drop by about 60%,” a councilmember said during the discussion, reflecting concerns about electrification and reduced fuel consumption. Staff noted other gas‑tax revenue streams (approximately $700,000) currently support an array of services — from lamppost electricity to traffic signals — limiting the dollars that can be reallocated to large pavement projects. The council used these figures to frame support for the proposed ballot measures to expand local revenue options.
