For the past two years, the Town of Highlands has collected a local option sales tax of one quarter of a cent for parks and recreation improvements.
During the recent budget process, the town board looked at three options regarding the tax. The board of commissioners could get rid of it all together, keep it in place with the proceeds continuing to be used for parks and rec, or keep the tax and mark the proceeds for another use.
After some discussion, the board decided to keep the tax and use the proceeds to complete road paving projects in town limits. There are a number of reasons why moving the tax revenue into paving is a prudent decision.
The first is obvious – Highlands has a number of roads that need attention. Having a moderate climate is great when the elevation and thin air are holding summer temperatures down, but it also means Highlands has a harsher winter than many surrounding communities and winter weather is bad for road surfaces.
Filling potholes is a fine practice in emergency situations, but making more permanent repairs to roads in need is important. In order to make those repairs there has to be funding in the budget.
Secondly, a place’s roads are an indication of the place itself. Everyone who has travelled by car has developed an opinion about their destination based on the condition of the roads. Smooth, well-maintained road surfaces make a good first impression on visitors and make life easier for residents.
Lastly, perhaps the biggest reason why moving the tax revenue into the road paving fund is important – the state isn’t going to do it.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation was so far over budget ($743 million) during the last fiscal year that the state halted all projects for a quarter to stop the bleeding. It’s uncertain how many projects the NCDOT is going to be able to complete in the next fiscal year and it’s unlikely that the state is suddenly going to be compelled to take on projects in a town the size of Highlands.
Sometimes if you want something done, you have to do it yourself.