Carson City hosts road funding workshop March 23

The challenge of local road funding is again headed for a public forum as a workshop exploring road funding mechanisms is slated for 10 a.m. to noon March 23 at the Carson City Community Center gym, 851 E. William St.

The workshop was previously scheduled for March 2 but was postponed due to snowy weather.

“Carson City Public Works and the Transportation Division are continuing to explore financial options to fund local neighborhood road improvements and repairs throughout Carson City,” city staff said in a news release.

Annual funding for maintenance of neighborhood streets – streets that don’t qualify for federal grants – is facing an estimated $21 million shortage. City staff and the Board of Supervisors have explored funding options like a new .25 percent sales tax and a city-wide general improvement district (GID).

Public workshops in the past and board meetings have seen public support for the sales tax. The measure is expected to appear on the 2024 general election ballot, Transportation Manager Chris Martinovich confirmed Tuesday. That measure could raise up to $4.5 million a year, he said.

Re-using the .125 percent V&T infrastructure tax, a current sales tax scheduled to sunset in 2027, could add another $2 to $2.5 million, Martinovich said.

The GID proposal, including special assessments on property owners, could raise more money. The type of GID the city has been evaluating is a local roads maintenance program, or LRMP. To keep neighborhood streets in fair condition, the GID would need to raise an estimated $14 million a year, according to city consultant Hansford Economic Consulting.

But the GID has been a tough sell, generally seeing more public opposition compared to the sales tax initiative. Martinovich said a GID could be designed to raise less money depending on public input and desired pavement condition of neighborhood streets.

“The GID could be scaled based on what amount is needed and input received from the public and direction from the Board of Supervisors,” he said.

Estimated vehicle trip generation was the most popular way to determine special assessments for a GID, according to feedback from two public workshops in October.

Hansford, hired in 2021, examined similar funding structures in western states, finding a single-family unit in Loveland, Colo., paid $3.32 a month for road maintenance, while a single-family unit in Bozeman, Mont., paid $23.40, according to Hansford.

“Our next workshop will include more details about the funding options being considered and provide a summary of the public comments received following the October workshops,” the city said in the release.

During the workshop, staff will hold presentations and display stations “illustrating examples of the potential funding options, estimates of how GID assessments may be applied, future roadway condition levels, next steps related for project delivery and construction and what happens if we continue without any additional funding,” according to the release.

“Most importantly, you can provide your comments and cast your choice on the options presented,” reads the release. “Carson City values your feedback about funding options for the preservation and repair of your streets and roads and strongly encourages attendance.”

Martinovich urged residents to visit preservecarsoncityroads.com for information. Martinovich can be reached at CMartinovich@carson.org or 775-283-7367.