House Bill 277 and its Impact on the Georgia Mountains Region

Overview Transportation Investment Act of 2010 Regions can adopt 1% sales and use tax Proceeds to be used for transportation: Transit; Roads; Maintenance & Operation Proceeds must be used within the region

Uses 12 Regional Commission boundaries Counties may not switch regions or opt out Georgia Mountains Region (Region 2) 13 Counties; 38 Municipalities Overview

GMRC 13 County Region

Overview Advisory Bodies for Each Region: 1)Regional Transportation Roundtable Two representatives from each co. County Chairmen or Sole Commissioner One Mayor from each County

Overview 2 ) Executive Committee 5 members from Roundtable 2 State Representatives & 1 State Senator Appointed by House & Senate Transportation Committee Chairmen as non-voting members 3) 5 Member Citizens Review Panel 3 District Citizens Appointed by House Speaker 2 District Citizens Appointed by Lieutenant Governor

The Planning Process Stage One (Current Stage): 6/02/10: Legislation Signed by Governor 8/03/10: GDOT provided local governments and MPO’s with draft project assessment criteria 9/30/10: Last day for local governments and MPO’s to submit comments on criteria 11/10/10: Confirmation of mayoral representatives

The Planning Process Stage One (Continued): After 11/15/10: GDOT submits final assessment criteria Calls first meeting of Roundtables Meeting agenda: Amendment and approval of assessment criteria Elect members for Executive Committee

The Planning Process Stage Two (Investment List): Before August 15, 2011 Local Governments & MPOs submit requests for investment list to GDOT After August 15, 2011 List refined by GDOT and Executive Committee Second meeting of Roundtable, discussion of draft investment list

The Planning Process Stage Three (Referendum): July 2012 Regions with an approved project list vote on the 1% sales and use tax Referendum must be approved by a majority of the voters Tax only levied in regions where the referendum passes Collection of funds can begin first day of new calendar quarter, following an 80 day intervening period (early 2013)

Impacts on the Georgia Mountains Region 1) If Roundtable does not approve an investment list: 24 months before investment list can be re- introduced Local government match to receive local GDOT funds* = 50% *Local Maintenance Improvement Grants replaces LARP & State Aid

Impacts on the Georgia Mountains Region 2) If Roundtable approves an investment list, but voters do not pass the sales tax: 24 months before investment list can be re- introduced Local government match to receive local GDOT funds* = 30% *Local Maintenance Improvement Grants replaces LARP & State Aid

Impacts on the Georgia Mountains Region 3) If Roundtable approves an investment list and voters pass the sales tax: Local government match to receive local GDOT funds* = 10% *Local Maintenance Improvement Grants replaces LARP & State Aid

Impacts on the Georgia Mountains Region GMRC CountiesVoter Pop.Voter Pop. % Banks 8, % Dawson12, % Forsyth93, % Franklin10, % Habersham18, % Hall77, % Hart12, % Lumpkin14, % Rabuns9, % Stephens13, % Towns7, % Union13, % White13, %

Impacts on the Georgia Mountains Region Investment List Allocations Program AreasTarget Ranges Roadway Capital50-70% Safety15-30% Traffic Operations0-20% Freight & Logistics2-10% Transit Capital0-10% Transit O&M0-10% Bicycle/ Pedestrian0-5% Aviation0-5% Road & Bridge Maintenance0-5%

Draft Project Criteria Investment List Allocations Program AreasTarget Ranges Roadway Capital50-70% Safety15-30% Traffic Operations0-20% Freight & Logistics2-10% Transit Capital0-10% Transit O&M0-10% Bicycle/ Pedestrian0-5% Aviation0-5% Road & Bridge Maintenance0-5%

Collecting the Funds Projected Sales Tax Revenues: Using 2009 Figures District Revenue (In Millions of $) Revenue per Capita Growth in Revenue ( ) NWGRC$118.9$ % GMRC$89.7$ % ARC$727.8$ % TRRC$70.2$ % NEGRC$72.8$ % MGRC$78.2$ % CSRARC$69.2$ % RVRC$53.8$ % HoGRC$36.5$ % SWGRC$48.5$ % SGRC$56.6$ % CRC$117.5$ % Total$1,539.7$ % 2009 Revenue from a 1% Sales Tax (Data from Georgia State University Andrew Young School of Policy Studies)

Collecting the Funds Regional Sales Tax Forecast- Minus Special Exemptions (In Millions of $) District GMRC$88.6$94.3$100.5$106.8$113.5$120.2$127.1$134.6$142.4$150.5$159.0 Total$1.4B$1.5B$1.6B$1.7B$1.8B$1.9B $2.0B$2.1B$2.2B$2.3B

Using the Funds 100% of the funds stay within the region 25% of the total given to each jurisdiction Based on modified LARP formula (4/5 lane miles, 1/5 pop.) Can be used for discretionary local transportation projects Can be used as match for other state funds May be used for a 20 yr reserve for transit maintenance & operations

QUESTIONS? Danny Lewis Executive Director, GMRC (770) Stephanie Harmon Adam Hazell Regional Planner, GMRCPlanning Director, GMRC

Draft Project Criteria Investing in Tomorrow’s Transportation Today (IT3) State of GA’s business plan for transportation investment Four Goals (Recently Approved in the Statewide Strategic Transportation Plan): 1) Support Georgia’s Economic Growth & Competitiveness 2) Ensure Safety and Security 3) Maximize value of Georgia’s Transportation Assets 4) Minimize Impact of Transportation on the Environment Separate Criteria for Special Tax Districts Inside and Outside the Atlanta Region

Draft Project Criteria Draft Criteria Same for all 11 Districts Outside Atlanta Region Some Variation Expected Between Districts as Process Continues Outcomes Strategic use of funds to achieve best value for tax dollars & improvement of the region’s transportation network Transportation projects delivered on time & budget Public support of projects funded by sales tax & public trust that state & local government will deliver on promises

Draft Project Criteria Guiding Principles Investment list developed with focus on deliverability Projects are from existing plans &/or studies GDOT work program MPO long range plan & short range program County transportation study Investment list consistent with policies of the Statewide Strategic Transportation Plan (& MPO’s plan if applicable) Investment list encourages effective multimodal solutions appealing to a broad spectrum of the region’s population

Draft Project Criteria Investment List Allocations Program AreasTarget Ranges Roadway Capital50-70% Safety15-30% Traffic Operations0-20% Freight & Logistics2-10% Transit Capital0-10% Transit O&M0-10% Bicycle/ Pedestrian0-5% Aviation0-5% Road & Bridge Maintenance0-5%

Collecting the Funds 1% sales and use tax on all purchased goods within the region Exemptions: Fuel Jet Off-Road for Heavy Duty, Farm or Agricultural Equipment Locomotive Public Mass Transit The Sale or Use of Energy Used in Manufacturing or Processing Tangible Goods Building and Construction Materials (Used for Contract Jobs) Only levied on the first $5,000 of any transaction involving the sale or lease of a motor vehicle

Draft Project Criteria Roadway Capital Serve trips to/from regional employment & activity centers Widenings, Interchanges, Interstate Improvements, Economic Development Corridors Emphasis on Construction Tier system to reflect level of certainty in deliverability Tier One- Construction can begin within 6 yrs Tier Two- Approved concept report Tier Three- Recommended by Legislators, Local Governments &/or MPO

Draft Project Criteria Safety Align with key areas of Governor’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) Priority to projects that correct or improve road location, high potential for safety improvement, or address specific safety deficiency Objective is to reduce fatalities & serious injuries Examples- Intersection improvements, shoulder widening, bicycle/pedestrian safety improvements, rail-roadway crossing hazards, traffic calming, guardrails, signage, pavement markings, traffic signals

Draft Project Criteria Traffic Operations Improve or enhance the region’s: Intelligent Transportation System Network Incident Management Program Signal Coordination & Timing Address an existing operational issue resulting in an improved level of service or reduction in delay or other congestion costs Freight & Logistics Address the demand for goods movement as identified in the Statewide Freight & Logistics Study Projects enhancing the flow of freight transported by trucks &/or rail or facilitate the transfer of freight between modes

Draft Project Criteria Transit Capital Projects should have shown considerable progress to assure deliverability in 10 years Emphasis on construction phase or acquisition of capital equipment Service should ultimately connect to employment or activity centers & provide increased mobility for individuals Capital expenditures may include new, systematic replacement, upgrades, refurbishment

Draft Project Criteria Transit Operation & Maintenance Funding must first serve to enhance existing local or regional transit systems in operation as of January 1, 2011 Funding can be allocated to new transit projects once existing systems are brought up to state of good repair Non-Motorized Project must be identified in a Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan Provide connectivity to regional employment or activity center Provide connection to existing or planned transit, including bus stops & multimodal centers Pursue off-roadway paths/streetscapes, etc. using the 25% discretionary share

Draft Project Criteria Aviation Projects should be consistent with the goals & objectives of Georgia’s Statewide Aviation System Plan Projects at new or existing non-commercial service airports contained in the airport’s 5 year Airport Capital Improvement Program (Runways, Taxiways, Aprons, & Navigational Aids) Roadway & Bridge Maintenance Priority to resurfacing/rehabilitation of state routes or equally important routes (routes that connect regional employment centers) Priority based on PACES & bridge ratings provided by GDOT Pursue off-system resurfacing using the 25% discretionary share