County Commissioners are the “First Responders” to all levels of Disasters
“Fire” “Ice” “Flood” “Wind” “Tornados”
As disasters continue to plummet our state one after another County Commissioners are placed in a position of being a first responder because of the immediate availability of man power and equipment. Counties are facing a challenging time with a shortage of funds and being forced to decide which services will not be provided. Listed services provide awareness so as legislators you will be prepared to respond to those you serve.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CONUNDRUM
Some of the eligible funding for county road projects is contingent upon completion and inspection before the county can receive reimbursement. This requirement along with the cost of multiple disasters has thrown counties further behind than necessary.
- A county must fund their regular maintenance expenses and at the same time try to save funds to do a project which they will be eligible for reimbursement upon completion. Meaning counties must have all cost of project up front, hence a cost analysis is done and saving begins.
- Guess what then happens: A disaster occurs and all funds available must go toward immediate disaster relief for the safety of all citizens.
- Said savings for road/bridge project is depleted as well as the depletion of regular maintenance funds.
- 4. Eventually the county receives some reimbursement from their disaster expenditures and the following occurs: Some funds go to catch up on depleted maintenance funding and the rest goes back to saving for a project that now must have a new cost analysis done due to the increased cost of materials and fuel.
- 5. So even though counties are eligible to be reimbursed upon completion of certain road and bridge projects this vicious cycle continues to limit the number of projects done due to a “lack of up front cash flow.”
FACT: Disaster results keep costing years after the water and ice disappear. Debris rushes violently down stream with each heavy rain weakening and knocking out bridges while signs of road erosion destruction continue to appear. Director Ridley has said “We will not know the true cost of disaster damage for years to come”.
“FUNDING A SOLUTION”
- Funding a solution to this problem could promote completion of many more road and bridge projects before cost escalate.
- Funding a solution could provide counties with immediate cash flow when disasters occur while now many counties must wait until they receive disaster payments to repair the damages.
“Funding a solution” could prevent depleting the rainy day fund each time a disaster occurs
The following language serves as suggestion to “Funding a Solution”
“ On July 1, 2008, or as soon thereafter as feasible, the Office of State Finance shall transfer up to Twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000.00) (per funding choice a,b,c or other), To the Statewide Circuit Engineering District Revolving Fund as created in Section 687.2 of Title 69
- FROM : Surplus Funds which accrue to the General Revenue Fund of the State of Oklahoma for the fiscal year ending in June 20, 2008,
- FROM: The Rainy Day Fund (which currently contains $571.6 million or such amount as may be for the fiscal year ending in June 20, 2008),
- FROM: Set aside the first collections of Rainy Day Fund Deposits for fiscal year 08/09 in an amount up to twenty five million ($25,000,000.00)
Legislatively funding this “Revolving Transportation Cash Flow Fund” would provide counties with an “up front cash flow” for
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- Completion of more Road and or bridge projects
- Immediate funding available for Declared Disasters
As counties are reimbursed on completed projects they would pay back the
“Revolving Transportation Cash Flow Fund” which would continue over and over again assisting counties to utilize reimbursement programs before costs further escalates.
YOUR CONSTITUENTS NEED THEIR LEGISLATORS HELP ON
“FUNDING A SOLUTION”