Frix: Changes to County Roads and Bridges Fund distribution

Muskogee Phoenix

By Avery Frix

June 5, 2021

The governor last week signed into law a bill that changes the counties’ allocation of revenue from the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act.

Under House Bill 2892, 25% of the monthly allocation that would otherwise be credited to the County Improvements for Roads and Bridges Fund, administered under the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, will be distributed directly to the counties. One-third of the funds will be distributed based on the proportionate size of the county when compared to the entire state; one-third by proportional share of county road miles; and one-third by proportion based on the total replacement cost of obsolete or deficient bridges in a county.

Existing statute appropriates 35% to counties, but does not consider the actual size of the county, the number of road miles or the number of obsolete or deficient bridges. The formula is instead based on population. This takes the population component out of the equation and gets more funding where it’s most needed not just where the densest population exists. It levels the playing field between rural and metropolitan areas.

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