CONCORD, N .C. — One town in the Charlotte area that’s already in a budget crunch is taking action to keep the state from transferring responsibility for patching potholes and paying for other road maintenance — an idea that would put additional pressure on the town to raise taxes.
Concord officials drafted a resolution telling their local legislators that they are opposed to any effort to make cities and counties pick up those costs, which have in the past been paid by the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
“Whether it’s federal tax dollars, state tax dollars or local tax dollars, it’s still coming out of people’s pocket,” said Kirby Patterson, a Concord resident.
The idea has been shot down several years in a row by state lawmakers.
Concord leaders said they wanted to act before any legislation is introduced in the General Assembly this year. Such a plan could have far-reaching implications for every county in the state. Mecklenburg County, for example, has more than 1,000 miles of state-maintained roads. Concord has 58 miles of roads it could suddenly be required to maintain, including Poplar Tent Road.
“They have a lot more volume and a lot more trucks and so there’s a lot more wear and tear,” said Joseph Wilson, transportation director for Concord.
Wilson said the city would have to buy more equipment and create more full-time positions.
“It would cost a lot and it’s not something we’re really prepared to accept,” Wilson said.
Concord currently maintains 230 miles of roadway at an annual cost of $6 million. It’s partially funded by the gas tax. The rest comes from a general fund. Wilson doesn’t know how much more it would cost the city to take on additional lanes of traffic but says they would definitely need more money than they currently have.
Copyright 2011 by WSOCTV.com.
Posted: 10:46 pm EDT March 14, 2011
Updated: 5:55 am EDT March 15, 2011
