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No. 18 September 23, 1998 PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS BULLETIN TO YOUR COUNCIL, DEPARTMENT HEADS & STAFF ODOT REVERSES POLICY ON CITY PAVEMENT ASSISTANCE This week, the Ohio Department of Transportation reversed its two-year old policy that would have ended completely the departments financial participation in paving and maintaining state and federal routes within the limits of a city. The policy, first promulgated in October of 1996, would have changed an ODOT policy, adopted in 1991, of the state paying 100% of the cost for repaving state routes within cities to the state paying 0% of such projects. Even before 1991, ODOT participated in many such projects by shouldering the majority of the costs. This new policy would have been the first time in many years in which ODOT would totally shrug off the cost of paving state routes in cities. The impact for many cities would have been devastating. One community estimated for the League that, given their street budget revenues and the cost of repaving all the state routes within their jurisdiction, their community could repave their state routes once every twenty-five years. And even that would be possible if the community did no repaving of its neighborhood streets and it abandoned other functions, such as snow removal. ODOT's change of heart came at the direction of Governor George Voinovich. The League very much appreciates the Governor's effective intervention in this matter. The Governor clearly heard from many city mayors and city councils on this matter and agreed that ODOT ought to reconsider this misguided policy. The League and, we hope, many of you will let the Governor know that his intervention on this issue has earned from us a very sincere "thanks." We have attached a letter from ODOT Director Jerry Wray to OML Executive Director Susan J. Cave announcing the reversal of ODOT's policy. Though this change may somewhat change the timing for seeking legislation to ensure future participation by ODOT on city state route paving projects, it does not change the League's determination to discuss this matter with the next administration and to seek such legislation in the General Assembly which ensures ODOT participation in such projects. OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sept. 22, 1998 Ms. Susan Cave Dear Ms. Cave, There has been considerable discussion recently regarding the responsibility for paving state routes within incorporated cities. governor George Voinovich has discussed this matter with several Ohio mayors and shared their concerns with me. He urged us to give full consideration to resuming ODOT's participation, especially in light of the increase in federal funding he helped secure for Ohio under the new federal transportation act. I am pleased to inform you ODOT will resume participating with cities in the repaving of state routes within the corporate boundaries. We will be in contact with localities to prioritize and schedule the most needed projects. As a former mayor, Governor Voinovich is aware of the local needs and has directed ODOT to work with local governments on this matter. Under Governor Voinovich, ODOT has increased its expenditures on local projects from approximately $80 million in 1993 to more than $200 million annually today. However, without a revenue increase, it was very difficult to sustain an ever-increasing commitment to local projects. Fortunately, through the efforts of the Governor and members of the Ohio Congressional delegation, a new federal transportation bill has been enacted. The new act corrects some of the inequities which prevented gasoline taxes paid by Ohioans, from returning to the state. With the new bill, Ohio receives a larger and more equitable share, which it can share with municipalities. We will be in contact with you and with mayors across Ohio on how we can resume the scheduling of additional paving projects. Bear in mind that no commitments to specific projects have been dropped by ODOT. We were unable to make new, additional commitments. Now, however, we can resume this program and will work in partnership with local governments. Respectfully,
Jerry Director
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