Some of this article has been excerpted from a prior Pickerington Magazine issue. However,
Recently rebuilt street
much of the information is new and presented to reflect the growing concern the Violet Township Board of Trustees has in our ability to preserve and protect the township’s biggest investment: its infrastructure.
The United States has an infrastructure problem. The deteriorating condition of infrastructure, especially our highway system, trickles down to state and local governments as well. And Violet Township’s roadway network is no exception.
Currently, Violet Township maintains 105 lane miles of roadway in one direction – the distance from downtown Columbus to downtown Cincinnati.
While revenues – township funds to provide services – from gasoline taxes, motor vehicle license taxes and a portion of real estate taxes have remained stagnant, the cost of materials to repave our streets has increased nearly 300 percent within the past 10 years. This fact, coupled with losses of revenue from elimination of the estate tax and reduction of the Local Government Fund by the Ohio legislature, provides us no other funds to maintain roadways.
The cumulative effect of this is simple: The township resurfaces about one-third as
Deteriorated curb
many lane miles as it did 10 years ago; about 2 to 3 miles per year.
What has Violet Township done to counter the negative impact of declining or stagnant revenues combined with increasing costs?
1. Utilize remedial measures such as crack filling or pavement patching instead of resurfacing.
2. Evaluate alternate, cost-effective technologies to keep our roads safe and maintained, such as alternate strategies to the traditional hot mix asphalt that was employed for years and that our residents have become accustomed to driving on.
3. Submit for grants and interest-free loans. Since 2002, Violet Township has secured nearly $6.3 million in grants or low-interest loans to maintain or upgrade its infrastructure.
4. Consider a single trash hauler contract. Now, there are multiple trash companies driving Violet Township roads. One trash hauler would reduce the wear and tear on our road network.
5. Consider a road levy. Currently, Violet Township receives no voted millage to maintain its infrastructure. Additionally, townships are not permitted to impose income taxes or utilize many other financing options that municipalities are permitted to employ under the provisions of the Ohio Revised Code.
This levy will be for a period of five years, and allow the voters to renew at those intervals. The cost to the owner of a $100,000 home is $52.50 per year, or just under $0.15 per day. Approval of this levy restricts the funds for use to maintain the roadways, and will provide Violet Township the vital resources to maintain your roadways over a scheduled cycle of years, which will preserve our transportation network, property values and quality of life.
Thank you for your time and attention to this article, and may your holidays be merry and bright!
