Date: 09/24/2015
Final
Briefing from La Plata County
TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEE
| Votes: View--> | Action Taken: |
| <none> | <none> |
06:30 PM -- Briefing from La Plata County
Brad Blake, La Plata County Commissioner, presented to the committee on the collaboration involved in intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) to try to make the best use of available funds. He discussed how delaying maintenance leads to serious problems with existing infrastructure down the road. He thanked the committee for visiting the Durango-La Plata Airport and discussed how important it is in helping the area serve as a regional hub.
Commissioner Blake told the committee that he had seen the CDOT paperwork process in recent years become cumbersome and onerous for contractors, and noted how this has led to a reduced number of bidders on projects that involve CDOT. He responded to questions from the committee on the transportation funds that are distributed to cities and counties through state and federal gas taxes, how Montezuma County has approached its citizens with property tax increases to fund regional projects, how much additional revenue these property tax increases would result in, and the current mill levy in La Plata County.
Mr. Hall came to the table to respond to a question on the increased costs of a portion of US-160 near Durango. Mr. Lewis approached the committee to discuss the administrative requirements that CDOT must comply with at the state and federal level, and how this results in increased paperwork for state contractors. He also discussed the challenges involved in not having a predictable funding stream, such as a hesitancy to hire additional staff and purchase needed construction equipment.
Committee discussion ensued on the severance taxes collected from the oil and gas industry in Colorado counties. Commissioner Suckla spoke to the criticality of severance taxes for Montezuma County, and the shoestring budgets of the National Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management in the county, despite $30 million that is collected by the federal government in severance taxes each year. He responded to a question on the payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) that the county receives. Committee discussion ensued.