Agenda Item Name:
Title
Potential Wild Spaces Public Places (WSPP) Extension with Housing and Infrastructure
End
Presenter:
Chris Dawson, Transportation Planning Manager
Ramon Gavarrete, Public Works Director
Charlie Jackson, Facilities Management Director
Gina Peebles, Assistant County Manager - Chief of Staff
Claudia Tuck, Community Support Services Director
Description:
Discussion of Potential Extension of Wild Spaces Public Places (WSPP) Surtax with Inclusion of Housing and Infrastructure Projects
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Discussion the Potential Extension of Wild Spaces Public Places (WSPP) Surtax with Inclusion of Housing and Infrastructure Projects
End
Prior Board Motions:
N/A
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
N/A
End
Background:
The Wild Spaces Public Places (WSPP) Surtax is an 8-year, half-cent sales tax which is scheduled to sunset on Dec. 31, 2024. It currently can be used to:
a. Acquire and improve environmentally sensitive lands to protect drinking water sources, water quality, and wildlife habitat, and,
b. Create, improve and maintain parks and recreational facilities as permitted by Florida Statutes, the referendum ballot language, and ordinances.
c. Notwithstanding the above, Alachua County may utilize a portion of its proceeds to establish a fund for the purpose of providing matching grants to the municipalities within the County for projects that meet the requirements of subsections (a) or (b), and which, in the sole discretion of Alachua County, have countywide significance.
There is interest in potentially extending WSPP in 2024 (for an additional 8-years) and adding another half-cent for housing and infrastructure (for 10-years) on the 2022 ballot (so both would sunset on the same date - Dec. 31, 2032).
Alachua County recently completed the first pavement condition survey, as an important step to protect one of County’s greatest infrastructure asset and to create a baseline pavement condition for the roadway network. The County’s weighted average network condition or Pavement Condition Index (PCI) is 60.2. This means that the overall current condition of the network is Fair to Poor. Pavement assessment and condition survey suggests that the overall age of the pavement and environmental distresses, are the biggest contributing factors for the lower PCI scores. The average age of the asphaltic surface is estimated to be between 30 to 40 years old. The Net Worth (or Asset Value) of the County road network is estimated to be approximately $1.5 billion.
In order for the County to maintain its roadway network without any preservation estimated cost is approximately $22 million, and with preservation is approximately $15 million. Therefore, increasing the annual investment should seriously be considered as soon as possible. Additionally, increased funding must be combined with an expanded pavement preservation treatment strategy to cost-effectively minimize the deterioration of the County-wide pavement network. By increasing budget, to resurface and reconstruct older roads, and adding treatments that improve flexibility or protect against the environmental aging process on newer pavements, Alachua County can begin to see improved pavement conditions across the road network.