As local governments are in the process of considering opposition to a statewide repeal to the gas tax, a transportation official clarified that the county as a whole is set to average about $5 million in funding from the current legislation over the next 10 years.
Senate Bill 1 is in question on the Nov. 6 ballot, with Proposition 6 asking voters to repeal the so-called gas tax that results in a charge of 12 cents per gallon on regular fuel, 20 cents on diesel and additional registration fees. SB-1 invests more than $5 billion annually statewide into road projects, while in San Benito County that number will come to an average of about $5 million annually over the next decade, said Mary Gilbert, executive director for the Council of San Benito County Governments.
The COG board on Thursday will consider joining the City of Hollister in its opposition to Prop. 6, the gas-tax repeal. A presentation going before the COG board Thursday notes that $5 million is generated annually through SB-1.
Gilbert clarified numbers with San Benito Live in advance of the meeting. She said the $5 million figure is based on an annual estimate over the next 10 years, and noted that the local figures are expected to increase over time.
“It will grow as the years go on,” she said.
Hollister council members approved their formal opposition to Prop. 6 after the city manager noted SB-1 will result in about $655,000 in city funding toward local street projects in 2018-19. For San Benito County, that figure is expected to be $1.864 million this fiscal year, and in San Juan Bautista it is estimated at $33,272, Gilbert said.
In 2017-18, the numbers were much lower, partially due to the fact that the bill didn’t go into effect until April, she said.
The COG board will meet at 3 p.m. Thursday at the San Benito County Administration Building, 481 Fourth St., to consider the Prop. 6 opposition.
SB-1 Breakdown for last and current fiscal year for local jurisdictions
2017/2018
Hollister: $255,859
SJB: $12,990
County: $727,610
2018/2019
Hollister: $655,375
SJB: $33,272
County: $1,863,713
