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County road fee moving forward

At its September 6 meeting, the Washington County Board of Commissioners (BCC) heard the “first reading” of a new ordinance that will create a $30 Vehicle Registration Fee (VRF) that drivers will pay at the time they pay for their state vehicle registration.

The fee proposed in Ordinance 817 will only be implemented if the state legislature fails to pass a 2017 transportation funding package that provides additional county revenue equal to or greater than $8.1 million annually–the County’s share of revenue generated by a $30 VRF–in the first year.

“Road, bridge and culvert maintenance and repair costs are outpacing available road funding nationwide,” said Andy Duyck, BCC chair. “From a safety perspective, we simply can’t wait for a state or federal funding package to support road maintenance funding at a level that will keep travelers safe. A $30 VRF will allow us to partially address the problem by prioritizing our most critical safety needs and maintaining pavement at its current level.” 

An estimated $4 million per year is needed to maintain the County’s pavement at a “good” level. In addition, 54 culverts need replacing, and 81 bridges are deficient.

The County has had to defer preventive maintenance and repairs, which has created safety issues on many roads. Examples include the collapse of aging culverts on both Timber and Beef Bend roads last December. The Timber Road culvert collapsed minutes after a school bus drove over it. 

In July, representatives from citizen advisory committees, area chambers of commerce and the Westside Economic Alliance testified at meetings and sent letters to the Board, asking for a $43 VRF–the maximum allowed under state law–to improve road safety. The board opted for a $30 VRF, which will address the most critical needs only, while limiting the financial impact on vehicle owners. 

“We are mindful of the fact that voters did reject, by a narrow margin, a 2014 ballot measure that called for a $30 VRF,” Duyck said. “Given that, we were reluctant to move ahead with a $43 fee, but agreed that something has to be done. The maintenance funding shortfall hasn’t gone away, and it is creating significant safety issues.” 

Washington County's road maintenance funding comes primarily from the state gas tax and vehicle fees, and the county gas tax, which are not keeping pace with increasing maintenance costs. Fuel sales per registered vehicle have been declining, due to hybrid and electric cars, and fewer miles travelled per vehicle. At the same time, maintenance costs have increased significantly. For example, asphalt paving costs increased about 370% from 2004-2014, according to the ODOT.

If implemented, the County VRF would be collected by the state Department of Motor Vehicles, in conjunction with state registration fees, starting July 1, 2018. The fee would be $30 per year for most vehicles; $17 per year for motorcycles/mopeds; and $10 one-time fee for trailers eligible for permanent registration. 

For more information, visit the Washington County road maintenance funding education website: KeepRoadsSafe.org.  A public hearing on the ordinance will be held during the September 20 Board meeting: 6:30 pm in the auditorium of the Charles D. Cameron Public Services Building, 155 N. First Ave., Hillsboro. 

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