6-28-2024_PW SS Briefings - Laserfiche WebLink

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KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS—BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: June 28, 2024 TOPIC: Road Fund Levy Update ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff LEAD STAFF: Joshua Fredrickson RECOMMENDATION: Direct staff regarding continued road fund levy lift efforts BRIEFING SUMMARY: • Levy rate impacts from three years of inflation have been evaluated. • County consultant, Consor has conducted two in-person focus group meetings and telephone survey • Results of outreach efforts will be presented • Three levy rate scenarios have been developed BACKGROUND: Consor, PW outreach consultant,has been working to implement the 2024 work program. Recent efforts included two in-person focus group meetings on April 13, 2024. Focus groups included 10-12 individuals in each group, with one meeting held in upper county and the second in lower county. Consor also conducted a telephone/hybrid survey of 300 registered voters in Kittitas County. DISCUSSION: The Ten-Year Transportation Plan(TAMP) utilized an annual inflation rate of two (2) percent. Inflationary impacts from 2021-2023 accumulated to 16.8 percent per the Western States Consumer Price Index (CPI). This has affected the ability to keep up with the anticipated road needs in the TAMP. From 2015-2019 levy shifts also impacted the road fund. While this allowed for the creation of the County's water bank system, which has benefited the county and residents, it came at an expense to public works infrastructure maintenance. To identify potential voter sentiment for a road levy lift, PW contracted with Consor to conduct public outreach. This included in-person focus group meetings and telephone survey of registered voters. Consor has performed work and developed the Kittitas