City Streets: Investing in a Neglected Asset

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CITY OF GARIBALDI Material and operation costs have been rising, but. the city's street fund revenues have not kept pace. In 10 years, the city's state highway fund share revenues have increased 1 percent, while the cost of asphalt has risen 40 percent. GARIBALDI QUICK FACTS • 2006 Population: 920 (a decrease of 4 percent in 10 years) • Funding Need: An additional $60,000 annually is needed to maintain Garibaldi's 14.5 paved lane miles. A total cost of more than $1 million is needed to bring all streets up to "good" condition. • Highway 101 runs through downtown Garibaldi. • Local Economy: Tourism -Small Businesses, Restaurants, etc. Industrial -The Port of Garibaldi leases space to several industries such as fish processing plants and a hardwood mill. Garibaldi is a small city facing big problems with its streets. Garibaldi has 18 lane miles of streets, only 14.5 of which are paved. Garibaldi is a coastal town that welcomes many visitors each summer. These tourists are vital to the local economy, but they also put a strain on the city's infrastructure. There has been a decline in the street condition, especially in residential neighborhoods. Garibaldi Street Fund Revenue FY 05.06 City Streets: Case Studies -Page 24 Locally-Raised Revenue State Highway Fund Revenue. The street fund pays a share of the public works wages and fueUinsurance costs for the equipment used for street work. Street lights are also charged to the street fund. Emergency repairs are the first priority, followed by safety projects and improvements. This leaves nothing for major pavement preservation projects or capital improvements that are necessary when the streets begin to deteriorate. Street fund revenues have not risen at the same rate as material and operation costs. In 10 years, the city's state highway fund share revenues have increased 1 percent, while the cost of asphalt has risen 40 percent. .City Streets: Case Studies -Page 25