For much of the last few years, Albany city officials and the council have talked about raising money to rebuild or repair local streets. This afternoon they’ll get an update on moves to collect a monthly street maintenance fee and also the possibility of a local fuel tax.
Mayor Alex Johnson II provided the deciding vote Wednesday in favor of an Albany ordinance authorizing the city to collect a monthly fee for street maintenance and repairs.
In case you missed the memo, get ready for construction to start on Monday (Sept. 9) on a downtown section of Washington Street in Albany.
While the Albany City Council considers a new street maintenance fee, a council majority also wants to explore a local fuel tax and a bond issue to fund street repairs.
More than one-third of Albany’s streets are in poor condition, the city staff says. That’s 52 miles of pavement, and there is no money in the city budget to get them fixed.
At City Hall, Albany officials are taking another stab at finding a way to pay for maintaining and repairing streets. It will take more than a year of meetings, discussions, and public “outreach.” Wish them luck, for the chance of solving this issue is small.
A pothole, a hubcap and proposed taxes
A hubcap lying in the middle of Walnut Street, not far from a rain-filled pothole, was a reminder that Albany faces decisions about possible ways to raise more money to repair streets.
Tags: damage to cars, fuel tax, gas tax, potholes, street fee, street repairs, wheel damage