The California Transportation Commission (CTC) heard from a panel
of state and local transportation representatives on the “Impacts
of COVID-19 on Federal and Local Transportation Revenues” at its
last meeting. Rick Tippett, Trinity County Director of
Transportation and President of the County Engineers Association
of California, participated in the discussion on behalf of
counties and provided the CTC with an overview of the impact
COVID-19 is expected to have on county transportation funding.
Other panelists included Paul Golaszewski of the CTC, Vincent
Mammano of the Federal Highway Administration, Keith Dunn of the
Self-Help Counties Coalition, and Michael Coleman of the League
of California Cities.
CSAC’s testimony focused on projected reductions in fuel tax
revenue and how counties are preparing for decreases in funding.
The key points raised included:
Projected fuel tax revenue reductions:
Compared to January 2020 estimates, fuel tax revenues to cities
and counties are projected to decrease by a combined $487
million this fiscal year and next.
Impact of revenue reductions on projects:
While most counties that responded to CSAC’s survey did not
expect reduced revenues to affect projects during the current
fiscal year, some counties are already considering delaying or
reducing the scope of projects planned for next fiscal year due
to revenue reductions.
County response to anticipated revenue
reductions: Counties are planning to make various
types of adjustments, including cutting contracts, furloughing
staff, and freezing vacant positions. Counties may also have to
reduce or delay routine maintenance and purchases of equipment
and materials to help balance their budgets.
Finally, Mr. Tippett discussed CSAC’s ongoing efforts to support
additional federal aid for COVID relief, as well as stimulus
funding for transportation infrastructure. County priorities as
related to transportation infrastructure include formulaic
allocations to cities and counties to backfill lost fuel tax
revenues and prevent planned projects from being delayed or
canceled, funding for nearly $400 million worth of local bridge
projects that could quickly move to construction, and $200
million in funding for quick delivery local road safety projects.
