Voters to decide on essential road maintenance funding without raising taxes

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Mesa County residents will soon have the opportunity to vote on a measure to improve road infrastructure without raising taxes. This November, voters will decide on Mesa County’s Ballot Issue 2, which proposes allowing the County to retain and use approximately $11,492,270 million in excess revenue — funds that would otherwise be refunded to taxpayers under the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR). These funds would be dedicated to Mesa County road and infrastructure projects, providing a one-time funding boost to our County road’s lifecycle. • If approved, the measure would authorize Mesa County to allocate these excess funds for road maintenance projects. These include repaving or resurfacing County roads, repairing potholes, and reinforcing bridges — upgrades that affect everyone’s daily commute. The measure does not involve new taxes — it allows the County to keep and use the money already collected beyond the usual TABOR limits. • Funding is needed due to rising costs. Since 2019, construction material prices have surged: • *Asphalt and concrete costs have increased by 50-100%. • *Asphalt binder costs jumped from $412 per ton in 2020 to $589 in 2024. • *Engineering consultant fees have increased by an average of 32% over the past four years. • Revenue sources for road maintenance, such as the State of Colorado’s Highway Users Tax Fund (HUTF) and the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), funded by a 2-cent sales tax, have not kept pace with inflation or rising costs. The HUTF, funded through a gas tax, is further strained by the increasing popularity of electric vehicles, which do not contribute to gas taxes but still wear down the roads due to their heavier battery weights. Meanwhile, the CIP is subject to TABOR restrictions, meaning that even when tax revenues are good, Mesa County cannot utilize the additional funds for much-needed projects. As a result, while revenue has remained relatively flat, the costs of maintaining and improving the road network have increased dramatically. • Approval of this ballot measure would focus on a range of essential road maintenance and improvement projects, such as: • *Chip Sealing • *Crack Sealing • *Pothole repair • *Road resurfacing • *Road repaving • *Reinforcing bridges • These projects are about longevity and economic vitality. Well-maintained roads and bridges benefit everyone, enhancing our quality of life and boosting the local economy. The funds will be used to create lasting benefits for better roads without raising taxes. The County aims to bring our roads' Pavement Condition Index (PCI) to a level that increases smooth and safe travel for residents. • This measure represents a temporary but strategic shift in how Mesa County utilizes excess revenue. The County would reinvest excess revenue into maintenance improvements that benefit county residents by addressing road and bridge issues now, which will cost significantly less than waiting until conditions worsen. • Mesa County has been fiscally responsible, prioritizing high-need areas and securing the maximum amount of state and federal grants available to save our taxpayers as much money as possible. Over the past decade, the County has procured an additional $2 to $3 million annually in grants to support infrastructure projects. Allowing the County to retain TABOR excess funds will ensure these projects can be completed without new taxes. • Mesa County Public Works targets high-traffic roads needing maintenance, focusing on those with a PCI between 40 and 60. With $11,492,270 million, we plan to apply overlays or cape seals to improve road conditions by 15-20 PCI points, extending their lifespan. Projects would be prioritized based on road conditions and maintenance needs and grouped by location to minimize costs. • How to report road issues • For residents concerned about specific road conditions, several entities manage road maintenance within the Grand Valley: • *Mesa County: Streets with green signs. • *City of Grand Junction: Streets with blue signs. • *CDOT: Major corridors like I-70B, North Avenue (US Hwy 6), US Hwy 50 on Orchard Mesa, and Broadway (State Hwy 340) on the Redlands. • For road maintenance issues, please contact: • *Mesa County: 970-244-1895 • *City of Grand Junction: 970-244-1575 • *CDOT: 970-683-6300 • Residents can also use the Road Problem Reporter (https://www.mesacounty.us/departments...) tool to submit detailed reports and attach photos of the issue.

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