County Commission | The Magazine February 2017 | Page 12

DISCUSSING THE THREE-CENT BOND ISSUE
WITH CONSTITUENTS AND LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS
· All in all, it is estimated that the bond issue would fund 12,320 new miles
of road, and over 450 new bridge structures across the state.
· The bond issue is totally financed by a 3-cent increase in diesel and
gasoline tax that will automatically end when the bonds are repaid.
· The increase would cost the average Alabama driver about $1.50 each
month -- about a nickel/day.
· The minimum allocation for each county is $10 million, but the average
award is about $18 million per county. Many of the larger counties would
receive upwards of $35 million.
· The revenue can ONLY be spent on road and bridge projects. It CAN
NOT be spent on salaries, equipment, or any construction other than
roads and bridges.
· All projects will be let to contract by each county using Rural Road guide
lines, and the individual projects will not require approval from ALDOT.
· This will allow local leaders to determine which roads and bridges will be
improved, without being limited by state and federal regulation.
· President Trump has placed a new federal emphasis on infrastructure.
Under this plan, 20 percent of revenue in each county could be used to
match federal funds should the new Congress enact a federal
infrastructure program.
· 20 percent of each county's allocation would also be divided among the
cities, based on their population
12 | COUNTY COMMISSION