Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida Ditchmen - August 2020 | Page 28

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TRANSPORTATION REVENUES TAKE A HIT
August 12, 2020 | NSF Staff
Pointing to issues such as the coronavirus pandemic,
economists say Florida will collect about $1.5 billion
less than expected in transportation-related revenues
during the next several years. The economists, who
meet as the Revenue Estimating Conference, said in
a new report that the cumulative amount of money
going into the State Transportation Trust Fund during
a period ending in the 2025-2026 fiscal year would be
$1.485 billion below earlier projections, or 5.7 percent.
The largest hit will come during the current 2020-
2021 fiscal year, when revenues are expected to be
$432.2 million below earlier projections. The State
Transportation Trust Fund, which receives money
from fuel taxes and other sources, plays a key role in
paying for transportation projects. The report said fuel
tax revenues will be less than projected for a series
of reasons, including “decreased consumption of
motor fuel and other fuels (diesel, aviation and offhighway
fuel) related to the effects of the coronavirus
outbreak and the associated lower economic
expectations going forward.” Also, the report said a
forecast of revenues from rental-car surcharges was
reduced by 13.9 percent. “This reduction resulted
primarily from the impact to tourism caused by the
ongoing coronavirus pandemic,” the report said. “Over
the longer run, the increased use of alternatives to
rental cars such as ride sharing services, destinationprovided
shuttles and increased remote work options
come more into play.”
THE SEPTIC UPGRADE
INCENTIVE PROGRAM
The Septic Upgrade Incentive
Program is no longer accepting
new applications for participation
in the program, as current
funding has been exhausted.
The program will continue to
process invoices for work that
has already been authorized by
a Purchase Order.
As we move forward with
this important effort, DEP is
working with Citrus, Hernando,
Leon, Marion, Orange, Pasco,
Seminole, Volusia and Wakulla
counties to establish countyspecific
Septic Upgrade
Incentive Programs. These
programs are not yet in
place. We will post updated
information here when the status
changes. The process includes
developing grant agreements
with each county and creating
a program consistent with the
feasibility study each of these
counties has conducted. The
county feasibility studies identify
where onsite sewage treatment
and disposal systems are
located and where upgrading
26 DITCHMEN • AUGUST 2020